Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I curled my lips into a faint smile and put down my phone. When despair reaches the heart, pain fades away. For the next few days, Vincent left early and returned late. I no longer had the energy to focus on him, busy with wrapping up graduation matters.

All I hoped for was that everything would go smoothly so I could take my diploma and leave this city, starting a fresh life somewhere new.

June 20th, Tuesday.

With ten days left before Italy, I submitted my residence transfer application at school. As I exited the campus, I ran into John, a classmate from Vincent’s lab.

John looked at me in surprise. “Kaylee, you’re still here? Vincent’s experiment was a success, and they’re celebrating at the amusement park today!”

I paused in shock–Vincent hadn’t told me about this. Before I could make up an excuse, John had already pulled me into his car. “Come on, we need to get there! You and Vincent are the stars of the day!”

At the amusement park, I was greeted by the sight of a huge infinity pool. Men and women in swimsuits splashed and played in the water. In one corner, Vincent was holding Alina, who was in a bikini, close to him.

“Vincent!” John called out.

Vincent and Alina immediately released each other when they saw me.

“Kaylee, don’t misunderstand. I just got a cramp in my leg, so I grabbed onto Vincent,” Alina explained, a slight blush on her face, as if embarrassed.

Vincent helped her over to the steps by the lounge area, then hurriedly approached her.

“Kaylee, it’s a pool party, I figured you wouldn’t enjoy it since you can’t swim, so I didn’t invite you. You’re not angry, right?”

I said nothing, my gaze drifting to Alina, who shot me a taunting smile. Those blatant Instagram posts had already declared who Vincent’s first choice was. She find no interest in humoring his feigned sincerity.

“Do as you like. After all, this is your choice,”

From now on, I would also make my own choices. Vincent seemed flustered, quickly taking my hand.

“I promised you that once the experiment was finished, I’d take you to Disneyland. I already bought the couple’s tickets, so let’s go this weekend, okay?” 

I didn’t want to dig deeper, nor did I want to test the truth of this promise. With only ten days left until I was due to leave for Italy, whether or not we went to Disneyland no longer mattered to me.

“Let’s talk about it later.”

I told Vincent to go enjoy himself with his friends, then sat alone in a corner of the lounge area. Just when I thought I could have a moment of peace, Alina approached, wrapped in a robe.

“Kaylee, I specifically had Vincent leave you out, but like a persistent shadow, you still showed up. How tiresome ”

She sat down beside me, her robe gaping to reveal her pale skin.

“I’ve been kindly reminding you on Instagram every day that he no longer loves you. Why can’t you just let go?”

I remained calm. When Alina had added me as a friend a month ago, I’d known her posts were veiled provocations aimed at me. At first, I felt jealous and hurt, but after my heart turned cold toward Vincent, I had let go of those feelings.

“Tell me, what do you think Vincent would say if he knew you posted those things on Instagram just for me to see?” I asked.

Alina’s expression froze for a moment before she sneered at me.

“Vincent and I both come from families that own publicly traded companies. We’re the most suitable match for marriage. And you? You’re just an unwanted stray, taken in and raised by your adoptive parents. What makes you think you’re worthy of him?”

My face paled instantly. The only person I’d shared my past with was Vincent, and I never imagined he’d share even this with Alina. But they were wrong–I wasn’t an unwanted stray. My biological parents had spent twenty years searching the world for me, never once giving up.

I looked at Alina, my tone indifferent. “You’re right; I wish you both a happy ending.”

But, it’s Vincent who doesn’t deserve me.