Chapter 2

Ethan had always treated me sometimes well and sometimes badly.

The story about my mom being a mistress spread through all of South University.

Even the fact that I liked Ethan became after-dinner gossip for people.

They said I was a toad lusting after swan meat.

Gradually, people started looking for trouble with me.

They locked me in a bathroom stall and poured water inside again and again.

I crouched there until I was already numb.

The moment the door was kicked open, I looked up and saw Ethan holding a baseball bat, his face still full of disgust toward me.

“Useless trash! You can even endure being bullied. You’re embarrassing the Shaw family.”

Ethan grabbed one of them by the collar. “Apologize!”

My heart warmed a little, and I could not tell how Ethan truly felt about me.

I followed him home, drenched from head to toe.

He unhappily took off his jacket and draped it over me.

“Ethan, I’ll wash the jacket and bring it back to you.” I touched that jacket, a little attached to the scent on it.

He lit a cigarette. “I don’t want the jacket anymore. It disgusts me.” I watched him leave, and a faint ache rose in my chest.

Just moments earlier, he had rushed in with a baseball bat to save me.

But why... was it just because of my background?

Although Ethan was the prince of New York’s elite circle, he also drew plenty of hatred.

Every day, there was no end to the people looking for trouble with him.

He knocked irritably on my bedroom door.

I opened the door half-asleep and saw him standing there with a first-aid kit.

He threw the first-aid kit to me and walked straight inside.

I was used to this.

I skillfully bandaged the wound on his arm.

“Ethan, stop fighting in the future. You’re covered in injuries.” I looked at the shocking wounds on his body and felt my heart ache.

He snorted coldly, grabbed the back of my collar, and threw me into the corner.

“What right do you have to control me? As my brother? Or as a gay guy who likes me?”

Ethan pressed one knee against my chest, and I found it harder and harder to breathe.

He lifted my chin. “You really are like your mom. Just looking at that face of yours makes me sick.”

Tears always betrayed me at moments like this.

I asked him through my tears, “Ethan, why do you hate me so much? Is it... only if I die that you won’t hate me so much?”

Ethan stood up and wiped his hand in disgust after letting me go. “Yeah. It would be best if you died, just like your mom.”

I hated where I came from, and I hated my mom.

The moment I was born into this world, I was already rotten.