Chapter 3

3

Three days later, Leila had indeed arranged another blind date for me.

This time, it was through a woman she met at her yoga class. The guy was a software engineer who just moved back from abroad named Caleb.

Meeting Caleb for the first time made the gloom of the previous dates vanish.

He wore a clean, crisp button-down shirt and had a shy but bright smile. He spoke calmly and logically.

It had been a long time since I felt this kind of spark on a blind date.

After a few meetings, we both felt like things were going well.

When Leila found out, she was over the moon. She kept praising her friend's taste and saying this was definitely the one.

However, the honeymoon phase didn't last long.

One night, Caleb and I met at a quiet, upscale bistro.

He seemed a bit preoccupied, not as relaxed as he usually was.

After we ordered, he went silent for a few seconds. He looked at me seriously, his voice gentle but hesitant.

"Linnie, there's something... I've been thinking about it for a while. I feel like we should talk."

My heart skipped a beat. I forced a smile. "What is it? You look so serious."

Caleb chose his words carefully. "I know young people are under a lot of pressure these days. If you... well, if you need any financial help, you can just tell me directly."

He paused, his eyes sincere. "I'm very willing to help within my means. You really don't need to... use that kind of method."

"What method?" The smile froze on my face. A bad feeling crawled up my spine. "What are you talking about?"

Caleb saw I was getting upset and quickly waved his hands to calm me down.

"Don't misunderstand. I don't mean anything bad by it." He took out his phone and handed it to me. "It's your mother..."

On the screen was that familiar profile picture again.

"Caleb, dear, I'm so sorry to bother you. Linnie really loves this specific brand of luxury skincare. I heard you just got back from overseas? If it's convenient, could you bring back a few sets for her next time? Yes, this specific essence and cream gift set. Linnie insisted on this one. I'll thank you on her behalf!"

"But Caleb, please don't let Linnie know I told you! She'll definitely blame me for being nosy. She has too much pride! Just ship the items directly to me!"

Below were several pictures of luxury skincare sets. Each one cost a fortune.

The blood rushed to my head, and my cheeks burned with a shame a hundred times worse than when Levi confronted me.

"I never asked her for any of those things!" I explained desperately, my voice shaking. "I've never even used such an expensive brand!"

Caleb looked at me with a complicated expression.

"But... Linnie," he hesitated before finally speaking. "Last Saturday afternoon, I happened to pass by that luxury resale shop downtown. I saw you and your mother at the entrance."

I snapped my head up, staring at him.

"Didn't you two... just sell all the skincare sets to the resale shop?"

A cold chill instantly swept through my entire body. Shame, anger, and absurdity nearly choked me.

"That girl wasn't me! That was my sister, Hazel!" I almost screamed. "I had no idea! Caleb, you have to believe me!"

Caleb was startled by my intense reaction, but his eyes softened with understanding and pity.

"Linnie, don't get worked up. Maybe I saw it wrong," he said gently. "I just felt that if your family is in trouble or you have some hardship, you could tell me. I'll help if I can."

His kindness felt like a needle stabbing my heart. It made me feel even more humiliated.

I couldn't listen to another word. I just wanted to rush home and demand the truth from Leila.

"I have to go!" I stood up abruptly. Ignoring Caleb's stunned look, I bolted out of the bistro.

The chat logs, Levi's accusations, and Caleb's description of the resale shop...

They flashed through my mind like scenes from a horror movie.

Anger made my entire body tremble.

This time, I was going to find out exactly what was going on!