That day, I argued with Grant in tears.
He looked battled but still tried his best to explain.
He didn’t like Scarlett–the so–called arranged marriage was just a drunken joke between elders, nothing serious.
Logically, things should’ve been settled after that.
But somehow, that unresolved discomfort didn’t dissipato–it settled deeper, weighting my chest with each passing moment.
I wanted to tell him to keep his distance from Scarlett
I also wanted to say, Wait for me. I’ll become someone worthy of you.
But these secret, girlish thoughts choled me, leaving me imable to speak a single word.
Because saying any of it would only make me
So I grew silent.
Grant didn’t notice.
me seem pathetic.
to explore.
He and Scarlett had too many shared interests to
But Mrs. Holloway did.
She called me to the parlor, her tone casual, as if making small talk. “Do you know why I never stopped Grant from dating you?”
I stayed quiet.
“Because I knew it wouldn’t last. Once he’s had his fill, he’ll move on without regrets. See how well Grant and Scarlett get along now?
I stood there, a violent shiver racking my body as if someone had hurled a bucket of ice water down my back “Grant said he doesn’t like Miss Winslow.”
Mrs. Holloway smiled faintly, adjusting her shiel. “Silly girl, if you step aside, he’ll have an easy way out.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Vivian, this isn’t a suggestion. It’s a notice.”
She meant it. She fired my mother.
My mom wept, pounding her chest in frustration as she signed to me, “They accused me of stealing and withheld a month’s wages.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and apologized, promising to get her money back.
But when I went to Grant, he was gaming with Scarlett.
At my words, he barely glanced at me before tossing his controller aside. His tone was unreadable. “Vivian, why did you get with me in the first place?”
I froze, then pressed sharply, “Did your mother say something to you? Grant, don’t believe her-”
He cut me off, irritated. “Don’t talk about
my
like that.”
I stood there, spanned, staring at his unfamiliar, stormy expression. The way he looked at me made me shiver
After what felt Ill an eternity, be turned away with a dismissive wave. “Just go home.”
From the doorway, I watched him return to his seat, pick up the controller, and say something that made Scarlett laugh so hard she leaned into him.
For the first time, I wondered if Mrs. Holloway had been right-
Two days later, my mom’s back pay and my overseas admission letter arrived at the same time.
Seeing her joy and the acceptance email, I hesitated before texting Grant, “Thank you. My offer came through
Studying abroad together had always been our plan.
He sent me an address and two curt words, “Come here,”
Grant was with his childhood friends–young masters of Rivermere’s elite circles, experts at stirring up drama.
When I walked in, the guy nearest the door raised his glass mockingly. “Yo! Miss Lockwood’s here! Congrats on getting into Westmore University! Don’t
