Chapter 4
The university organized a fundraiser for Rylan, then arranged for us to visit him afterward.
Only twenty students from our class were selected to go, yet somehow, I was specifically included.
Upon arriving at the hospital, I immediately understood why.
The room wasn’t just filled with students and teachers from our
school–there
also an
influencer with a camera.
It became painfully clear they had invited me with malicious intent to create more drama.
After receiving treatment, Rylan was no longer in critical condition. He lay in bed, his gaze finding me through the crowd. He had always been thin–almost skeletal–and now, with his face drained of color after surgery, he looked especially pitiful.
Classmates gathered around him, offering words of concern and support.
Standing in the corner was Rylan’s sister, whose eyes filled with disgust and resentment when she spotted me.
“Who invited you?” she demanded, her voice rising. “I don’t want to see you.” She pointed at me, tears threatening to spill. Sensing compelling content, the influencer immediately aimed the camera in my direction.
My classmates stepped aside, creating a conspicuous empty space around me.
Rylan sighed, tugging at his sister’s sleeve before looking directly at me. “Let’s break up,” he said flatly, his eyes devoid of any
emotion.
“Rylan!” his sister exclaimed, stamping her foot in frustration. “Even if you break up, she needs to return your money first! Why should she spend everything you worked and saved for?”
Her voice trembled with anger as she continued, “Just seeing her makes my blood boil! It was YOUR money–why should it be wasted on someone without a conscience?!”
Hearing this, Rylan’s expression tightened with discomfort as he looked at me, disappointment filling his gaze.
“I never thought you’d be this kind of person, but considering our history together… I won’t say much. Just do as my sister suggests and calculate the money. I don’t want all of it–just half.”
He paused before adding, “I’ll give you one month to return the money. After that, we’re completely done.“.
Our classmates erupted with indignation. “Why should she keep ANY of it? She should return EVERYTHING! Don’t tell me you still have feelings for someone like her?”
“She’s been taking advantage of your kindness all along! You’ve always given her whatever she wanted, and this is how she repays you!” “Gold–diggers like her deserve the fucking worst!”
From the corner, the influencer could be heard telling viewers on the livestream not to use profanity in the comments.
Lisa suddenly shoved me forward from behind. I stumbled, barely catching my balance.
“Calculate everything!” she shouted.
“Yes! Calculate it ALL!” Others joined in, their voices rising with hatred.
Looking at Rylan’s fake expression of difficulty, I fought back the wave of nausea rising in my throat.
“Calculate? Fine,” I replied calmly.
“Let’s calculate EVERYTHING then!”
