Chapter 3

The video was grainy, but it clearly showed Lucas shielding Mia while I looked aggressive and bitter, like a jealous home-wrecker.

The caption read: "Take a hint and leave Lucas alone. Can't you see he has a girlfriend?"

Within hours, it was uploaded to the campus forum and hit hundreds of thousands of views across social media.

Everyone was convinced I was obsessively stalking Lucas.

Vicious comments flooded my Instagram:

"If you can't have him, you try to ruin him? They're happy together. Why are you so desperate?"

"Shameless side chick. Trying to break up a couple?"

"With an attitude like that, who knows whose research papers she copied to get top marks?"

Every cruel word felt like a poisoned needle piercing my heart.

Megan was furious, threatening to track down whoever filmed the clip.

"They have no idea what you went through last night. They're just piling on."

Yeah. They knew nothing.

They didn't know Lucas was the one who chased me first, promising he'd do anything just to be with me.

They didn't know Lucas was the one who begged to keep our relationship secret, claiming our advisor banned dating within the lab and that we would go public right after graduation.

Without a moment's hesitation, I grabbed the matching toothbrushes, couple's mugs, and every single pair of items I had bought over the years and threw them into the trash.

The milk tea was still in the bin. I tied the bag shut and took it out.

Suddenly, a FaceTime request from Lucas popped up.

I didn't rush to the bathroom to answer it like I used to.

I let it ring for a long time before finally picking up.

"Lucas. What do you want?"

On the screen, he pinched the bridge of his nose, looking exasperated.

"Chloe, I know it sucks being misunderstood. I already called someone to get the forum posts taken down."

"There's nothing going on between Mia and me. Last night was just part of the game. I didn't want to make her feel bad."

I crossed my arms and let out a cold laugh.

"Nothing going on? You slept in the same bed with her, and you're telling me it was nothing?"

His tone instantly turned impatient. "Chloe, stop acting like this."

"I spend over twelve hours in the lab every day. You know how stressed I am."

"I can't control what people post online, but can't you be a little understanding for once? I'm exhausted."

"Just clear things up during your speech tomorrow."

Megan could hear him through the half-open door.

She scoffed loudly from the living room.

"Wow. Masterclass in playing the victim."

Lucas's expression darkened, though he held back his temper.

"Chloe, didn't I tell you our private business stays between us? Why is someone else listening?"

"Since you don't have the guts to claim me anyway, what difference does it make who hears?" I sneered.

"I'll give the speech. But clearing your name? Not a chance."

Megan snatched the phone from my hand.

"Are you even a man, Lucas? Chloe's been getting cyberbullied all day, and all you can do is tell her to wait?"

"You and Mia act like saints while dumping all the garbage on Chloe? You two deserve each other. Leave us the hell alone!"

She ended the call.

My eyes stung with unshed tears as I set the phone facedown on the table.

All it would have taken was one sentence from him—She's my girlfriend—to silence every single rumor.

Yet Lucas refused.

Since the party, he'd barely come near me unless he needed something.

It was always like this. Whenever I got upset about people trying to set him up with Mia, he'd dismiss my feelings, claiming that shutting them down too harshly would raise suspicion, and then he'd give me the cold shoulder.

And every single time, I was the one who caved, apologizing and begging for peace.

Not this time.

Every drop of mud they threw at me, I was going to fling right back.