Chapter 3

3

When I got back to the Reed estate that night, Lucas was actually waiting in the living room.

He stood up, rubbing his tired eyes with a slight pout.

"Why are you so late? I've been waiting forever."

In my past life, seeing him wait until his back ached would have moved me to tears.

But now, I saw his "concern" for what it really was―a performance.

If he actually cared, he would have picked me up or given me a hug.

He wasn't doing either.

"Are you mad because I didn't help with your applications?" he asked when I didn't respond.

See? He knew exactly what would hurt me, yet he chose to do it anyway to please another woman.

I didn't feel like talking. I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

Sensing my mood, Lucas tried to explain.

"Lily's parents are always overseas for business. She doesn't know how to handle real-life stuff."

"She needs someone to look after her. Besides, she saved my life. I owe her."

He seemed to have forgotten that I didn't have parents to look after me either.

I also needed a shoulder to lean on.

I just nodded and said, "I get it."

I was leaving soon anyway, so why bother arguing?

Relieved that I wasn't making a scene, Lucas cheered up.

"My graduation party is tomorrow night at the Southview Hotel. Do you want to come?"

This was his version of an olive branch.

I gave a soft "Mm-hm" and walked past him toward the stairs.

In my last life, these guilt-driven gestures happened all the time.

All he had to do was say one soft word, and I would forgive him unconditionally.

People blinded by love are truly pathetic.

The next day, Lucas actually showed up at the library to pick me up.

But he parked the car 500 yards away at the intersection.

From the library door, the car was just a tiny black dot.

I didn't know whether to be angry or laugh.

If he was so ashamed of being seen with me, why bother coming at all?

I dragged my tired body to the passenger door, but the window rolled down before I could touch the handle.

Lily's perfectly made-up face appeared.

"Claire! You're finally off work! We've been waiting so long!"

She spoke like she owned the car―a cheap, low-level provocation.

She kept using the same tricks; I wondered if she underestimated me or overestimated herself.

Lucas looked embarrassed. He got out and opened the back door for me.

"My mom invited her," he whispered as I got in. "I couldn't really say no."

I didn't say a word. I just nodded.

He couldn't resist her, so he used his mother as a shield.

I never realized how greedy he was for attention until now.

All the way to the hotel, they flirted and chatted while I sat there like a ghost.

That was fine by me. It saved me the trouble of making small talk.

The moment we arrived, I got out and headed straight for the restroom.

Lily probably thought I was going there to cry my eyes out.

She had a smug little smirk on her face.

But I just wanted to enjoy my last month of peace. I didn't give a damn about her.

By the time I came out, they were already gone.

A waiter led me to the private dining room.

The three Reeds and Lily were already eating.

Mrs. Reed's face darkened the moment she saw me.

She shot her son a look that clearly said, "Why did you bring this buzzkill?"

Lucas ignored her and patted the seat next to him.

Lily pouted but reluctantly made room.

I ignored the tension, greeted the adults politely, and sat down.

After a few minutes, Mrs. Reed couldn't help herself.

"I heard you went to school yesterday to file your college choices?" she asked, acting the part of a refined lady.

I knew this was just the opening act for a lecture.

I nodded and kept eating.

"You know," she sneered, "nowadays even community college kids act like filing forms is a national event just to save face."

"You should have just filled it out yourself. It's not like the garbage schools you're applying to matter."

There it was. She was mocking me for wanting Lucas to go with me.

She conveniently forgot that her favoritism was the reason I missed my exams in the first place.

I acted confused and said quietly, "Is that so? I thought it was normal for a boyfriend to be there for big life moments."

Mrs. Reed turned red, nearly choking on her drink.

Seeing her try to swallow her rage was the best entertainment I'd had in years.

It was time they felt a little of the pain they put me through.

Kindness only makes selfish people push harder.

I had less than a month left, and I was going to be myself.

Anyone trying to walk over me was in for a rude awakening.