Chapter 3

Anthony is two years ahead of us and runs the student council.

When Imogen and I got to campus that morning, he walked us through enrollment and even helped carry our luggage up to the dorm.

After he left, some of the upperclassmen gossiped with us.

Anthony's family owns a publicly listed company, so he's a genuine rich kid.

Imogen's eyes lit up.

"Does Anthony have a girlfriend?"

"Are you crushing on him already?"

I'd barely finished teasing her.

Then Anthony sent me a friend request.

"Sonia, do you have time tomorrow? I can show you around campus."

Imogen glanced at it, and the corners of her mouth fell.

"Why didn't he add me? He's not interested in you, is he?"

I didn't think much of it back then, so I just replied offhand.

"No way."

In my past life I could never figure it out.

Why Imogen suddenly started spreading rumors about me.

It wasn't until later, when I ran into her at the hospital, that I saw her walk in on Anthony's arm for a prenatal checkup.

Anthony stared for a long moment when he saw my head of white hair.

"Sonia? How could you..."

Before he could finish, Imogen cut in lightly.

"Sonia, I was only joking back then, and I apologized too. Why are you so fragile?"

At that time I was so ill I'd been living in the psychiatric ward for long-term treatment.

That sentence became the last straw that crushed me.

That night, I stepped up onto the rooftop.

The memory came rushing back, and the pain all through my body made me flinch.

I looked at the man in front of me.

Just because of a little interest from him, Imogen was going to ruin me.

I pulled myself out of the thought and forced a smile at him.

"Anthony, I'm going to go find Imogen first."

I stepped past him before he could respond and walked off.

Behind me, Anthony frowned after me and pushed open the door into the private room.

Right away, a jumble of voices spilled out.

"Anthony, did you know? Imogen is really over the top."

"She looks so quiet and shy, who'd have guessed she used to be a total delinquent."

Anthony asked, puzzled.

"Who's Imogen?"

"That fair, skinny girl who was with Sonia."

"You should stay away from her from now on. She's too scary."

I curled my lips.

Imogen, this is only the beginning.

Everything I suffered, I'll pay back to you one piece at a time.

Just as I reached the restaurant entrance, Imogen came storming over, her hand already swinging up to slap me.

"Sonia, you did this on purpose! You want to ruin me!"

I could have dodged.

But out of the corner of my eye I caught Anthony walking over, and without hesitation I dropped to my knees.

"Imogen, I really was wrong. I shouldn't have gotten drunk and talked nonsense."

"You can hit me, you can yell at me, I won't fight back—as long as it makes you feel better."

Imogen's slap swung through empty air, and she pitched forward onto the ground.

Her face was pure disbelief, and she scrambled up in a fury to grab at my hair.

"You bitch! You bitch!"

Before her hand could touch me, Anthony shoved her away.

"Imogen, what's gotten into you? This is a school, not those seedy places you used to hang around!"

Imogen froze where she stood, her lips trembling with hurt.

"Anthony, I'm really not a delinquent..."

Anthony didn't look at her again. He turned and helped me up, looking like he wished I'd do better for myself.

"Sonia, when someone bullies you, can't you fight back?"

"Groveling and begging like this only makes the bad ones worse!"

I pushed him away, my face blank.

"Anthony, Imogen and I are friends, and she's not a bad person."

"Whatever's between her and me, we'll settle privately. Please don't meddle, okay?"