Chapter 3

3

The small TV in the hospital room was broadcasting the talent show finale.

Yara was standing on the high podium, delivering her victory speech.

"There are so many people I want to thank, but most of all, I want to thank Gavin Sterling. Thank you for staying by my side through everything. I wouldn't be here without you."

The camera panned to the audience.

Gavin usually hated public events, but there he was, hands in his pockets, smiling up at Yara.

The crowd erupted into cheers. Gavin's name was legendary in the business world.

Even the host couldn't resist a bit of gossip, holding the mic back up to Yara.

"Can we ask about the relationship between Miss Vance and Mr. Sterling?"

Yara looked down shyly. The host immediately took the hint with a loud, knowing "Oh!"

"So, Mr. Sterling is here to support his lady!"

Gavin just waved from the crowd, smiling, offering no denial.

During the competition, I was once photographed eating dinner with Gavin. People claimed I had a 'sugar daddy' and attacked my teammates.

I begged Gavin to clarify and go public with our relationship.

He didn't even look up from his work.

"Cannie, if you want to be in this industry, you have to learn to handle online hate. If you can't, you don't belong here," he had said coldly.

But now, he was standing in front of the whole world to protect Yara's image.

I closed my eyes, tears soaking into my pillow.

The social media trends were exploding: 'Billionaire Mogul Cheers for His Girlfriend.'

Just then, the door opened.

Gavin walked in with takeout, followed by Yara, who was carrying a bouquet of roses.

"Cannie, I just heard about your accident. I'm so sorry, I've been so busy lately."

I looked at her with cold eyes. "Stop acting. You know exactly how I got hurt."

Yara grabbed Gavin's sleeve, her eyes instantly turning red.

"Cannie, I know you're in a bad mood because of the accident, but I won this fair and square. How could you say that? I really just wanted to see if you were okay."

She placed the flowers on the nightstand.

"Is that so?"

I let out a sarcastic laugh, pointing at my motionless legs. "Look at my legs. He kept me locked up so I couldn't see a doctor, just to make sure they'd never heal."

I smirked at her. "Do you want to guess why he did that?"

Gavin's face darkened as he cut me off.

"That's enough, Cannie! Have you lost your mind? This has nothing to do with Yara. Don't drag her into this!"

Nothing to do with her.

I wanted to laugh so loud it hurt.

Who was the one crying to Gavin right before the qualifiers? Who was the one who called to mock me after I missed the round?

And who was the one who called me while I was panicking in a car with broken brakes?

"Cannie, both Gavin and the top spot belong to me. If you keep trying to steal them, you'll lose more than just a leg," she had hissed.

And yet, Gavin claimed she knew nothing.

Gavin, are you really that blind, or are you just protecting her on purpose?

I slid the ring off my finger and threw it at him.

As he looked at me in confusion, I met his gaze with total indifference.

"Gavin, we're done. Let's break up."

At that moment, my phone buzzed with a message from the group chat: "Cannie, we've gathered the dashcam footage and the original manuscripts. Should we post them now?"