Chapter 1

Alex Thompson, the most popular guy on campus, finds my alternate Instagram account. He starts bragging in the dormitory. "You know that ice queen from the history department? She's not that hard to pursue after all. All I did was invite her to watch a few games, and she agreed to be with me. "Aren't you guys curious about her alternate Instagram account? Check it out." Xavier Chapman, one of Alex's roommates and the captain of the ice hockey team, rushes over rowdily. "Alex, isn't it obvious? She's definitely into you." Illya Armstrong, Alex's other roommate and a robotics genius who has just won the dean's scholarship, snorts in disdain and continues reading his book. Alex checks the first post. "To get closer to him, I agreed to go out with that dumb, muscular quarterback." He looks at the second post. "Of all people, why does he have to be Alex's roommate?" Finally, he reads the third post. "I can't stand Alex anymore. I'm going to confess to his roommate in three days." The three campus heartthrobs who live together go quiet. ... The best way to get back at those campus heartthrobs—Alex Thompson, Xavier Chapman, and Illya Armstrong—wasn't by insulting or humiliating them, but by making them go crazy for me. Then, I would destroy what they cared about most. I sneered to myself before steadying my breathing. I wore a faintly timid expression that men could never resist. I knocked on the door. A few moments later, the door was flung open. Alex stood there, looking as if he had just eaten something unpleasant. Behind him, Xavier craned his neck to peek at us. Even Illya—wearing his earphones—looked up from his book. I handed Alex a textbook and lowered my voice slightly, coming across as a little shy. "Alex, here's your book… You left it at my place." Alex's expression darkened instantly. He snatched the book from me and hurled it on the bed next to him. He seized my wrist so tightly that it hurt. "Come. Let's go outside." Alex dragged me out of the dormitory, heading for a corner on the rooftop cluttered with junk. He slammed me against the cold wall, giving me goosebumps all over. "Look at me, Grace." Alex had me pinned between his body and the wall. His shadow loomed over me, his overwhelming presence carrying the scent of his post-workout sweat. "Tell me. Aside from me, there's no other man." I hung my head, my gaze trembling. Fear and shame were written all over my face, with a hint of helplessness. "Alex, don't be like this. I'm scared…" "Tell me." Alex drew closer, his nose nearly brushing mine. I could feel his hot breath fanning my face. His voice was filled with fury and disbelief, which was exactly what I had hoped for. Without giving me a chance to defend myself, Alex lowered his head and furiously pressed his lips against mine. It wasn't even considered a kiss—it was harsh and punishing. Alex forced his tongue into my mouth, leaving me no room to resist. One hand tightly gripped my jaw, while the other was pressed hard against my lower back, pulling me closer to him. I could even feel his unmistakable arousal. I let out a muffled groan and endured the discomfort, deliberately whimpering faintly as his tongue moved inside my mouth. Yes, Alex's kiss was brutal and intensely possessive. But his technique? As the rumors suggested, he had no finesse at all. While he was completely lost in the kiss, I quietly held my breath until my face had gone red. Involuntary tears gathered in my eyes. Alex finally loosened his grip a little. Still breathing heavily, he fixed his bloodshot eyes on me. Seeing my reddened eyes and slightly swollen lips, the rage in his eyes eased slightly. Smugness crossed his face, along with a trace of what he believed to be pity. "Why are you crying?" Alex asked stiffly, though no longer as forceful as before. I immediately turned away and sniffled. Finally, I answered, my voice trembling. "I like you, Alex. Aside from you, there's no one else I could ever fall in love with." I quietly looked up and saw myself in his gaze. I appeared fragile and timid, seeming to have eyes only for him. As expected, Alex remained silent for a few moments. Finally, he snorted and roughly wiped away the tears at the corner of my eyes. "That's enough. Stop crying. You look ridiculous." Despite his disdainful tone, his attitude toward me had softened. "From now on, stop thinking about all that nonsense." Alex pinched my cheek, his voice dripping with condescension. "If you want to be with me, behave yourself. Got it?" I nodded vigorously, acting as if I had just been reassured. Satisfied with my answer, Alex nibbled on my lip again before wrapping his arm around my shoulders and walking me downstairs. Before going our separate ways, Alex even went so far as to say, "The squad is having dinner tonight. You can come along if you like." I watched him leave while wiping the corners of my mouth. I returned to my room and locked the door. All vulnerability instantly drained from my face. Fantastic. Things were going as planned. Alex had discovered my alternate Instagram account. That also meant that Xavier and Illya were about to take the bait soon.