Chapter 18

But then he went abroad for his studies. He didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. By the time he got back, three years had flown by. When he went to see her again, she was nothing like the girl he remembered. The sweet, kind Elena was gone, replaced by someone sharp, cynical, and rebellious. She acted like their past didn't mean a thing. That past... it was everything to him. And now it felt like she had stomped on it without a second thought. He was heartbroken and disappointed. It was Lilith who comforted him, stayed by his side, always gentle and understanding, winning over both their families. Slowly, he started falling for Lilith—and the more he was drawn to her, the more he looked down on Elena. Then came that night. Elena, caught by reporters, seducing him when he was drunk. The second he heard about it, he was so furious he could've strangled her. But thinking back now, something about that whole mess doesn't sit right. The girl he knew as a child—how could she turn into som