Not This Time

Hence, I never dared to slack off.

If I wanted to keep my scholarship, I had to be at the top every year.

That was how Tessa ended up stuck as the eternal runner-up.

It was also because the little heiress had such a strong sense of pride that I got a chance to step into the world of the rich.

However, I was nothing like her. Someone like me, who had to dig myself out of the gutter, would never waste any opportunity.

I dragged my luggage into the room and closed the door behind me. I lay down on the bed, savoring a rare moment of peace.

Then, the comments popped up again, mocking me as I enjoyed the tranquility.

"What an idiot! No wonder she's just cannon fodder. She's so quick to believe whatever people say!"

"Do you think she really believes she's an heiress now? Don't tell me she'll just hand in a blank paper for the SAT later!"

"That would be perfect! Then the female lead can grab her university offer letter and kick her out. Just imagining that scene cracks me up. It's like kicking someone when they're down!"

I stared at the barrage of comments with a blank face. They all thought I was stupid, but honestly, I was grateful to Tessa's family for crafting such a beautiful "dream of wealth" for me.

I opened my suitcase. There were just a few simple clothes at the top, but underneath was crammed full of wrinkled stacks of practice papers.

"No way! Her whole suitcase is full of exercise books and practice test papers!"

"She doesn't care about studying? This side character deserves an Oscar!"

I pulled out my notebook, which was full of mistakes, and started reviewing each problem I had gotten wrong. I worked through them one by one until two in the morning.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps in the hallway. I quickly turned off the lights and lay down.

Tessa pushed open my door, glanced around the room, and asked, "Lucia, are you awake?"

I didn't answer.

When Tessa saw that I was sound asleep, she let out a cold laugh and left. She was frightened that I would actually take my studies seriously, so much so that she came over late at night just to check on me.

The SAT was coming up.

Every day, I went to and from school in Scott's car with his driver.

Whenever I focused on my lessons, reading and working on problems in class, Scott would come over and pull the pen out of my hand in annoyance.

I stared at him, confused. "What is it?"

He looked at me for a long time, then said in a low voice. "Lucia, you don't have to study so hard. You can have a good life without it. Are you studying because you don't trust me? I don't like it when you act like this. I want you to rely on me completely. That's what a good fiancée should do."

I had liked him for so many years, so of course I couldn't bring myself to refuse. "If you don't want me to study, then I won't."

He leaned in closer. For the first time ever, I felt his breath so close to me. I could even smell his unique scent.

"Don't study anymore, okay? That way, you'll have to depend on me."

My heart pounded wildly. Even in that moment, I caught the hint of disgust in his eyes.

But I didn't care.

All I cared about was my own happiness.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and made my first demand.

"You said I'm your fiancée, and that I should depend on you. Then, I want a grand confession. Scott, show me you really mean it."

The old me would never have dared ask for anything so bold from the guy I liked.

But now, if he wanted something from me, he would have to give something in return. It was only fair.

That very afternoon, Scott covered the school field with nine-thousand nine-hundred and ninety-nine roses and made a grand confession to me.

When his soft, cool lips finally, hesitantly brushed against mine, I finally understood.

They were willing to pay any price to render me completely useless.