Chapter 8
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“You planned all this, didn’t you? You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”
“What did I do on purpose? Are you the one wearing the same outfit as me for some
hidden reason?”
Already feeling guilty, Scarlet quickly avoided my gaze.
“No… I just feel bad for you. After all, who wants to see so many people dressed like them?”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
When she heard that, it was like a lump of cotton was stuck in her throat. She couldn’t say another word.
After that day, no matter what outfit Scarlet suggested I wear, someone would always show up wearing the same thing.
Refusing to give up, she decided to buy even more matching items.
Cups, lipsticks, dolls, bracelets, earrings, shoes…
I used high–end brands, so naturally, nothing came cheap.
But I changed my things often.
Usually, I’d switch to something new right after Scarlet bought hers, and she could never keep up.
When she ran out of money, she borrowed from online lending apps. When she couldn’t pay those back, she called Ethan for help.
One time, while I was in the restroom, I overheard Ethan venting to her.
“Scarlet, because of you, I upset Celeste and had to transfer 300,000 to her. That was all I had! Now my funding’s been mysteriously cut off. You keep asking me for money—I’m broke. Can’t you get a part–time job or something?!”
Scarlet put on her usual pitiful expression.
“Brother Ethan, I’m looking for one. I want to be self–sufficient, but I’ve tried everything. You don’t know how excessive Celeste is. She changes everything from head to toe every two days. I just buy what she has and–boom–she switches again. I can only keep spending more to stay in step with her.”
“I came to you because I had no other choice,” she added. “I’ve already borrowed online just to keep up. I don’t want to miss any payments. Please, you have to help me.”
“If nothing else works, maybe you can go coax Celeste again. She still loves you. If you flatter her and make her happy, I’m sure she’ll give the money back.”
Ethan looked absolutely miserable–but he agreed anyway.
After that, he started treating me better than he ever did when we were together, fulfilling every request I made.
I accepted everything without question, pretending not to notice his subtle hints that he
She Imitated
to Steal My Love
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05:22 Tue, 29 Jul 0
was short on cash.
One time, Ethan finally asked me directly for money.
I changed my expression, handed him 500 dollars, and patted his shoulder.
“I know you hate when I ‘insult‘ you with money… so spend it wisely.”
Ethan’s face twisted in anger. He shoved the money back at me.
“You treat me like a beggar. What am I supposed to do with this?”
I sighed, took the money back, and said calmly:
[If you think that’s what I’m doing, then I really can’t help you.]
He was furious, but didn’t dare to break up with me again.
From then on, he had no choice but to find a part–time job.
Not long after, Scarlet had to find one too.
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One time, the three of us went out for barbecue–and happened to catch the two of them working there, serving food and cleaning tables.
We were eating happily when Scarlet swallowed her envy and said:
“Celeste, don’t you think you’re being too much? You sit here eating good food and drinking, while your boyfriend has to work just to make ends meet. He’s been so good to you. He even transferred 300,000 to you, but you don’t appreciate him at all.”
She phrased it cleverly, twisting the truth.
Anyone unaware of the real story would’ve thought I was freeloading off my boyfriend, like some gold digger.
Sure enough, those nearby started whispering.
A few middle–aged men craned their necks and whistled at me, jeering:
“Hey, pretty girl, you’re too gorgeous to be wasting time mooching off some guy. You should at least pay your boyfriend back!”
“Right? The world’s upside down now. That poor guy’s breaking his back while you play princess. Girl, have some decency!”
Chartere