Chapter 3

Corbin and I lived in the same apartment building, just one floor apart.

Yet it felt like we were in two completely different worlds.

I never bumped into him around the neighborhood anymore.

I figured he was purposely giving me the cold shoulder.

However, this time, I did not go running after him demanding to know why like I used to.

Once my SAT scores came in, I went ahead and applied to a school down south.

During that time, Mabel had mentioned me in the group chat, saying, [Denise, I went through all my old revision materials and put them together for you. Do you want me to drop them off tomorrow?]

I replied, [No thanks. I won’t be needing them anymore.]

Very soon, Corbin texted, [Denise, how could you be so ungrateful?]

[Mabel worked her summer job during the day and stayed up all night putting these together for you. After all that effort, you just said no without even looking at them?]

[Do you think the whole world revolves around you?]

We had not talked for two weeks.

Every time we talked, he was always accusing me of something.

Mabel stepped in to smooth things over.

[Cor, don’t talk to Denise like that.]

I was about to say I was not repeating senior year, but Corbin kicked me out of the group chat before I could.

I paused for a moment.

Then, I swiped and deleted the group chat from my list.

At shift change in the afternoon, Mabel pulled me aside.

She carefully studied my expression as she asked, “Denise, are you still mad?

“I deleted that post a long time back. We promise we won’t prank you like that again, okay?”

I looked at her. She was my best friend of over ten years, yet she felt like a complete stranger.

When did she and Corbin become this inseparable duo?

They only knew each other because of me.

I pulled my hand back, avoiding her touch.

“Is there anything else? I have things to do.”

She was stunned at my reaction.

“Mabel!”

Corbin pulled up on his motorbike and stopped in front of the cafe.

When he saw me, his gaze turned cold, like he was looking at a stranger.

Mabel grabbed her things and headed out.

As if she remembered something, she turned back to explain to me, “Denise, don’t get the wrong idea.

“We’re just heading over together to thank our homeroom teacher for agreeing to write us letters of recommendation. We already had this planned way before all this.”

There it was again—the “we.”

I forced a bitter, mocking smile but did not respond.

The cafe was especially busy today.

By the time I got off work at 9 p.m., my legs were already weak from exhaustion.

By the time my colleagues and I finished wrapping up inventory and cleaning, there was barely anyone on the street.

For some reason, as soon as I stepped off the bus, a chill ran down my spine.

I gripped my bag strap tightly as I subconsciously quickened my pace.

Just as I was about to walk out of the alley, a dark figure covered my mouth and nose from behind.

The figure dragged me into an even more secluded alley.

Just as I was sinking into despair, I heard a sharp and loud police siren.

The figure who had been restraining me from behind instantly loosened his grip.

Seizing the opportunity, I quickly scrambled up and ran toward a more lit area.

My heart was still pounding wildly even after I got home.

Before I could even catch my breath, someone knocked on my door.

It was Corbin. He looked furious.

Without saying anything, he grabbed me and dragged me outside.

I stumbled on the steps and almost fell while struggling.

Corbin finally spoke, but his words made my blood run cold.

“Denise, how could you leave Mabel behind and run back by yourself? Do you have any idea how hurt she got while trying to save you?!”

By the time I was dragged to the hospital, Mabel was still in the emergency room.

I stood there dazed, watching Mabel’s mother sob until she nearly passed out.

A knot of dread formed in my stomach.