Chapter 2

2

Even after I promised I wouldn't regret it, my teacher still looked skeptical.

She asked, "Does Lucas know about this? Does he agree?"

At that moment, I realized that in everyone's eyes, I was just an accessory to Lucas Reed.

As if I couldn't even step out of the Reed mansion without his permission.

"Ma'am, a woman should have her own career and goals. Men can be our accessories too. Life doesn't have to follow just one path."

My teacher was stunned by my words.

She studied me for a long time before finally speaking.

"Claire, you're different now."

If I spent another life chasing a man who didn't love me, I would be betraying everything I suffered.

Finally, she agreed to my decision and promised to keep it a secret.

After leaving school, I went to the library where I worked part-time.

I quickly changed into my uniform.

The Reeds didn't let me starve, but they didn't give me a dime of pocket money either.

I had no way to buy anything I actually wanted.

So, during my second year living with them, I found this job.

At first, Mr. Reed didn't want me to work, fearing it would distract me from my studies.

But Mrs. Reed was all for it.

She couldn't wait for me to get out of her sight.

Once they saw I could balance school and work, they stopped asking questions.

Just as I stepped out of the breakroom, I saw a familiar figure in the distance.

This was the first time I had seen Lucas since being reborn.

At eighteen, he was already the picture of a privileged gentleman.

He had an air of effortless elegance that made him the center of attention wherever he went.

And by his side stood Lily Evans, the girl everyone thought was his perfect match.

They were laughing and whispering, looking exactly like a golden couple from a movie.

That morning, I had begged him to help me with my college applications.

He had just brushed me off impatiently.

"You probably failed anyway, so what's the point of me going?"

"Lily has the grades for the Literature department at Boston University. I need to make sure she doesn't mess up her forms."

All three of us had graduated at the same time, but Lucas only had eyes for Lily.

Now, he was probably done helping her and had brought her here to look at college textbooks.

Most of the customers were students who weren't really studying.

They were too busy gossiping about the handsome couple.

"They look so good together! It's like a romance novel come to life!"

"When will I ever get a boyfriend like that?"

Lily soaked up the compliments, leaning a little closer to Lucas as if by accident.

I stood to the side, watching them act like they were already an item.

I pushed my thoughts aside and put on my professional customer-service smile.

"Good morning. Is there anything I can help you find?"

Lucas looked startled to see me.

Before he could speak, Lily grabbed his arm and spoke first.

"Just do your job, Claire. I have Lucas to take care of me."

Her voice was dripping with sweetness, the typical act of a girl on a date.

Lucas frowned slightly, but he didn't pull his arm away.

I ignored the smug look in Lily's eyes and kept my voice flat.

"Alright. Let me know if you need anything."

Lucas opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it and gave a curt nod.

"Fine."

Lily happily dragged him toward the literature section, and they disappeared around the corner.

Back at the register, my coworker nudged my shoulder.

"They're clearly a high school couple going public. Must be nice to be young!"

Then she looked me up and down with a teasing grin.

"By the way, you just graduated too. When are you going to get a boyfriend? Don't waste these golden years."

It's true. Time once lost can never be recovered.

Spending my youth gambling on a man's promise was the peak of stupidity.

But this time, I wouldn't be fooled by a sweet exterior.

"I already have a partner," I said while scanning books. "I've decided to follow it for the rest of my life."

My coworker gasped. "Really? You have to bring him by so I can check him out! Who stole our genius girl's heart?"

I just smiled and said nothing.

My partner didn't need anyone's approval.

I was dedicating my life to my country, not to romance.