Chapter 2

Chloe's brow furrowed in disbelief.

"Study abroad?"

"Your family is broke. Are you sure you can afford that?"

I met her gaze calmly. "That's none of your concern."

Hearing this, Chloe and Declan exchanged a look, a hint of panic flashing across their faces.

Declan grabbed my arm tightly.

"Come on, we've been classmates for four years. I don't want a little competition over a school spot to ruin our friendship."

"Next month, for my solo exhibition, we’re having some important government officials visit. It's a great chance for you to get noticed. Don't worry, I'll be sure to put in a good word for you with them, try to line up a good job for you."

I glanced at him and yanked my arm away.

"I don't need it."

Without another word, I turned to leave.

But I'd only taken a few steps before Chloe ran after me.

"Julian Mercer, you stop right there! I forbid you from studying abroad!"

I stopped and turned to her, a half-smile on my face. "And what right do you have to forbid me?"

Chloe snapped.

"I'm your girlfriend! If you dare to go abroad, we're breaking up!"

Her threatening tone was just laughable to me now.

This wasn't the first time she'd used breaking up as a threat.

Because I loved her, I had compromised my principles for her again and again.

But this scheme with the Harvard spot crossed a line. I wasn't going to tolerate it anymore.

I let out a short, harsh laugh. "Oh, really? I thought Declan was your boyfriend of three years!"

My sarcastic jab made her face darken.

But I didn't give her a chance to respond. "Since you brought it up, let's just make it official. We're done."

For the past three years, Chloe had repeatedly used "money" as leverage to make me ghost-paint for Declan.

I had let her convince me, thinking that I would need money to marry her someday. So, I willingly let my artwork be displayed under Declan’s name.

He got all the glory, hailed as a "genius painter," while I got the cash.

I just never imagined their greed would extend to my actual degree.

Declan’s solo exhibition was in a week.

Me leaving now meant that he would have to replicate my style and produce a dozen new paintings in just a few days.

For a fraud like him, who hadn't seriously picked up a paintbrush in three years, that was an impossible task.

Important government officials? Perfect. Let them see what kind of trash this country is nurturing.

Back in my dorm, I sent an email to the Royal College of Art confirming my enrollment and started packing.

I folded my clothes one by one and placed them in my suitcase.

Suddenly, my eyes landed on a gray scarf with crooked stitching.

It was the only handmade gift Chloe had ever given me.

I was so thrilled when I got it that I couldn't sleep all night.

Even though it was ugly, I wore it all winter.

When the weather warmed up, I washed it carefully and stored it away like a treasure.

I had always thought that scarf represented Chloe's love for me.

Then one day, I overheard her talking to Declan.

That’s when I learned the scarf was just a practice piece, a reject.

The person she really wanted to make one for was Declan.

Thinking of this, a self-mocking smile touched my lips, and I threw the scarf straight into the trash.