Chapter 2

Five years ago, when his company was on the brink of bankruptcy, Elsie immediately abandoned him to marry a wealthy upstart. During his period of despair, he even harmed himself, but when I was tirelessly taking care of him day and night, he never accused me of being unreasonable.

When I knelt in front of my house for three days, begging my father to invest and help him through the crisis, he never said I was unreasonable.

Now, as I faced death, he brought Elsie, who once abandoned him, back into our home, and moved her into my bedroom. I didn't even show any resentment, yet he accused me of being unreasonable!

Thinking about all this, I felt a chill run down my spine, trembling all over. The pain in my body made it impossible to stand up straight.

"Larry, did you ever love me?"

I curled up beside the desk, sweat poured down my forehead.

"Enough! Do you always have to use these tricks to get my attention?" He snapped, turning to leave.

A wave of dizziness hit me, and I collapsed to the ground.

"What's wrong with you?"

Seeing my pained expression, he rushed over to hold me. Perhaps it was an illusion, but I thought I saw a hint of concern for me on his face.

"Larry, did you ever love me?" I touched his face and asked last time, hoping for an answer.

"I-"

Suddenly, a frantic cry for help interrupted him.

"Larry, my stomach hurts! Come quickly!" Elsie's shrill voice came from downstairs.

I noticed that when Larry was about to open his mouth to speak, his face instantly tensed up. Without a moment's hesitation, he left me and rushed downstairs, leaving with only his panicked silhouette behind.

Lying on the floor, feeling the waves of pain from my stomach, I felt empty inside my heart.

Even though Larry didn't finish his sentence, I heard the answer.

Between Elsie and me, I was never a choice in his heart.

I never had a chance to be a candidate.

Not before, and not now.

4

We three were high school classmates. If we talked about who noticed Larry first, it was definitely me.

Elsie was the daughter of Mrs. Smith, the housekeeper at my house. My parents thought she was pitiful, and arranged for her to attend the same school as me, covering all her tuition fees.

She was beautiful, confident and brave, and immediately became the center of attention for many boys when she enrolled. Even Larry, who always considered himself above everything, was no exception.

Even I stood next to Elsie, she seemed more like the pampered daughter of a wealthy family.

Larry often said, "Scarlett, can't you be a bit more outgoing and lively like Elsie? Who would like someone so quiet and burdened with thoughts?"

Indeed, an introverted me couldn't express my feelings and didn't win his affection.

Later, Larry kept insisting on joining Elsie and me on our way to and from school. Although we walked together, each of us harbored our own thoughts.

On the day of our high school graduation, Elsie became Larry's girlfriend.

It was an August evening, with a gentle summer breeze.

Under the maple tree, the young couple kissed passionately. That night, they two became lovers but we three lost sleep.

After that, I withdrew from their lives, only hearing about them during holidays through Elsie's updates.

One day, Elsie suddenly asked, "Scarlett, do you like Larry?"

My face turned red to the roots of my hair, but I firmly denied it, "No, you're overthinking it. You two should cherish your relationship; high school love is rare and precious."

"Love? My mom says love is the least valuable thing. I must find a rich husband. I don't want to be a housekeeper like my mom all my life!" Elsie said, admiring her new phone.

I stiffened, "Then you and Larry... "

"Back then, Larry was the richest person I knew, so of course, I was with him. But now I've seen a bigger world, and I should have better options!"

"Look at my phone, isn't it beautiful? It's the latest model, a gift from a friend!"

"Friend?" The Elsie I knew didn't seem like this.

Her words pierced my heart like a thorn. I didn't want Larry to be kept in the dark, and I was more worried he might get hurt.

I couldn't sleep at night for thinking about it, then I discreetly informed Larry.

Unexpectedly, the next day, Larry called me out and, scolded me loudly in front of a tearful Elsie, "Scarlett, how can you be so malicious? I won't allow you to slander Elsie. If it happens again, don't blame me for being rude."

Elsie leaned against Larry, crying as if the world was ending, and gave me a smug, knowing glance.

Looking at the two of them, I wanted to slap myself.

Later, after graduating from college, Larry got engaged to Elsie, ignoring his family's objections.

But when she learned that the business of Larry's family was facing a financial crisis, Elsie left Larry alone at the wedding venue and married a wealthy upstart the next day in a grand ceremony.

The man who I've loved for ten years was abandoned by the woman he loved most.

I couldn't bear to see him fall into despair, so I took care of him day and night.

Perhaps he was utterly disillusioned and heartbroken with Elsie, perhaps he was grateful for my unwavering support, or perhaps he truly fell in love with me.

A year later, he proposed to me.