Chapter 7

"Fine. I was only trying it out for a day. If you don't want me to work here, I'll quit. I just didn't want to take your money." Surrounded by Sebastian and Ronald, Tessa lowered her head, feigning shyness and hiding all her pride in the shadows. Sebastian's frown eased, and a trace of a smile appeared in his eyes. "My heart, my life, everything I have is yours. Does a little money even matter?" "Exactly, Tess. Don't say stuff like that again." Ronald's voice and expression softened without him even noticing. The three of them hovered around one another, so close and comfortable that it felt as if no one else could ever fit into their world. Bella thought she wouldn't feel anything this time, having already lived through it once. But watching this scene, her heart felt pierced by a knife. These were the same boys she'd grown up with for over ten years, the ones who once promised they'd always stay by her side. Now, they'd toss her life aside for someone else without hesitation. She kept smiling, but her eyes welled with tears. A moment later, she wiped them away and prepared to leave without a word. But the movement caught their attention. Seeing her covered in blood and in such a pitiful state, they rushed over. "Bella, what happened to you?" Before she could speak, Tessa—who had been trailing right behind them—suddenly spoke up. "I think I drank too much. My head is spinning. Can one of you take me to the hospital?" The moment her soft, delicate voice reached them, Sebastian's and Ronald's expressions shifted. In a flash, both were hovering over her, speaking at the same time. "I'll take you!" "I'll take you!" Neither would back down, each subtly trying to outdo the other as they escorted her away. In a blink, Bella was left standing alone again. … The next morning, she got up early, washed up, and went to the police station with the recording she had made in the restroom the day before. After listening to it, the police immediately summoned Tessa. But a few minutes later, Sebastian and Ronald showed up, and Tessa was nowhere to be found. They didn't ask a single question or show the slightest worry. The moment they stepped in front of the officer, they brushed everything off as a misunderstanding, then grabbed Bella without giving her a chance to struggle or explain and dragged her out of the station. Once outside, their expressions darkened as they turned on her. "Bella, why would you frame Tess?" She'd expected this. She didn't even bother defending herself and simply pulled out her phone and played the recording again. "Lucky me—running into a college student who paid me to come after you. I get money and have my fun. Why wouldn't I take the deal?" The thug's voice played loud and clear. Sebastian and Ronald stiffened, but in the end, they just looked at her coldly. "Tess is so pure and kind. How could she ever do something like this? You can even fake recordings now?" Hearing how blindly they trusted Tessa, Bella laughed, but her eyes burned red. Sebastian and Ronald only had eyes for Tessa now. No matter what she said or showed them, they would never believe her. "Fine. If this police station won't take it, I'll go to the next one." Refusing to look at them, she lowered her gaze and turned to leave. Neither of them followed. Sebastian even said coldly, "We've already talked to people. No police station in the whole city will take your case." Bella spun around in disbelief. Seeing their hardened expressions, she felt like she'd been struck by lightning, her legs barely keeping her upright. They'd grown up together. Seeing her breaking down like this, Ronald softened his tone slightly and tried to persuade her. "Bella, don't make a scene. This isn't something Tess would ever do. And even if she did, you're classmates. "School's starting soon. There's no need to ruin her future over this." In that moment, they felt like strangers—people she'd never known. She had nearly been assaulted, and they were telling her not to ruin someone else's future.