Chapter 3

3

I walked back into the room just seconds before they did, so no one noticed anything was wrong.

However, when Amber returned, her eyes were filled with blatant provocation.

"Sorry about that, guys. I was just being a brat again. I'll drink a penalty shot! But my stomach isn't great, so... Leo will drink it for me!"

Amber smiled and handed her glass to Leo. He didn't hesitate for a second. He drank it right from the spot where her lipstick stained the rim.

I sneered inwardly. It seemed they weren't even trying to hide it from me anymore.

"Don't get the wrong idea, guys. Leo and I grew up together. We're like brothers. He's just used to protecting me."

Amber stuck her tongue out and then turned her gaze toward me.

"Nina, this is just how Leo and I have always been. You don't mind, right?"

I put down my fork and slowly wiped my mouth with a napkin.

"Why would I mind? Friends helping each other is perfectly normal."

"But... I guess your stomach really is sensitive. Leo used to get called away in the middle of the night all the time. He told me you were sick and he had to take care of you. I almost thought he was lying to cover something up. I mean, what kind of girl calls another woman's boyfriend to her house at 3 AM and keeps him there all night?"

"Now that I know you're actually sick, I feel much better."

The moment I said that, the entire table looked like they had just swallowed a whole lemon.

Leo had worked so hard for years to maintain his image as the perfect boyfriend. Everyone thought they were just close friends.

No one suspected that beneath the surface, something so disgusting was going on.

Leo tried to explain himself several times, but I kept cutting him off by bringing up new topics.

He knew that once the window for an explanation passed, anything he said later would sound like a lie.

But what does that have to do with me?

I want him and Amber to be completely ruined. This is just the opening act.

...

After several rounds of drinks, the party started to wind down.

Amber had only had that one drink at the start, but now she was leaning limply against Leo, acting like she couldn't even walk.

"Leo, I feel dizzy. Can you take me home?"

"Never mind... Nina will definitely be upset. Just leave me here, I'll find my own way."

Amber struggled to stand, but she kept "accidentally" falling back into his arms.

Leo was already on edge because of what I had said earlier.

I knew him too well. Nothing was more important to him than his reputation.

He hesitated as Amber clung to him, but I spoke up before he could say anything.

"I'm not mad. Go ahead and take her home. I need to go to the campus library to finish my thesis anyway."

"If you're still planning to come by later, you can find me there."

My casual tone made Leo frown slightly, but after considering it, he chose his true love.

"I'll come find you in a bit then. Amber can't handle her liquor. She gets wasted so easily, and she needs someone to look after her."

I didn't bother listening to the rest of his excuses as I climbed into my car.

I didn't care who was taking care of whom. Right now, it was all noise to me.

I wasn't worried that Leo wouldn't show up.

After all, how could he pass up such a golden opportunity?