15

[Bradley Side Story] I first met Gina when I was eighteen. She was thin, dark-skinned, and nervous, so out of place in my world. I couldn't understand why such an ordinary person was constantly on my mother's lips. Someone worthy of my admiration should be as outstanding and dazzling as Florence. We were childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree, and even the change in our relationship felt natural. I had imagined countless versions of my life, each one brilliant and glorious. I never anticipated that misfortune would strike me. The day after my father died of a heart attack, the company was betrayed by a competitor and teetered on the brink of bankruptcy. Everyone abandoned me, including Florence, who broke up with me and moved abroad with her parents. At this critical moment, everyone who had once fawned over me quickly distanced themselves, fearing to be tainted by my misfortune. Only Gina remained. She was so foolish—she had better options, a brighter future, yet she chose