Chapter 77
“Yeah, Ryan’s good, but he’s no match for Lirian,” another voice chimed in.
I glanced at Lirian to see his reaction, but to my surprise, the corners of his lips were curved upward in amusement. He didn’t seem bothered by the gossip at all. I blushed slightly, unsure of how to feel.
The day passed In a blur, filled with classes and quiet moments of introspection. I spent my free time reviewing investments, my mind flashing back to lessons I had learned in my past life.
Ethan, was thrilled with the profits I had made from a few recent deals. I smiled to myself, knowing this was only the beginning.
As the afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, I left school, the once–bustling grounds now eerily quiet. Just as I was about to leave, a familiar voice called out to me.
“Miss Sophia.”
I turned, only to find Clara standing there, her expression a mix of nervousness and forced
sweetness.
Are you here to see Ryan?” I asked, maintaining my usual composed demeanor. “He’s still inside.”
Clara gave me a fawning smile. “Yes, I came to see him,” she replied, her voice sickly sweet. “I’ve been so hard on him lately… All because of that Linda. He doesn’t know what’s good for him, but don’t be mad at him, okay?”
I shook my head, my voice steady but detached. “I have nothing to be angry about, Clara. I have nothing to do with him anymore.”
Clara stood there, disheveled and far from her once confident self. She reeked of cheap perfume, an attempt to cover up the foul stench that clung to her like a second skin.
Her unwashed hair was matted against her scalp, and the dark circles beneath her eyes were like deep, sunken shadows. She was a mess–a shell of the woman she probably once was.
Just then, Ryan and Linda emerged from the school building. Ryan’s sharp gaze immediately fell upon us, and his expression darkened when he saw Clara.
Without hesitation, he stormed over and roughly pulled me out of the way, his eyes blazing with anger. “What are you doing here?” he barked at Clara.
His words sliced through the tension in the air. It was obvious he wasn’t happy to see her. After all, Clara had taken his money the last time and disappeared without a trace.
Now, her sudden return could only mean one thing–she was broke again, and no doubt here to
cause more trouble.
Clara smirked and crossed her arms. “I’m talking to your fiancée, what’s it to you? Step aside!”
“Fiancée?” Ryan’s face twisted with frustration as he whipped his head toward me. “Who said she’s my fiancée? Just get lost already and wait until she asks for money!” His voice was filled with biting sarcasm, aimed at both Clara and me.
Just as my driver pulled up, I took the opportunity to escape the brewing confrontation. I stepped into the car without looking back. The door clicked shut, muffling the angry voices behind me as I left them to argue among themselves.
Third POV:
Clara, infuriated, snapped at Ryan, “Why did you let her go? I finally had her cornered for once!”
Ryan’s face hardened as he shot a warning glare at her. “You’re digging your own grave. I’m not going to be with someone I don’t like, Clara.”
Clara rolled her eyes and lowered her voice, grabbing Ryan’s arm. “What does liking have to do with anything? I’m not asking you to *love* Sophia. I’m asking you to use her–for money.
Is that so hard?” Her voice was filled with a twisted logic, and her eyes darted to Linda, standing awkwardly nearby.
“Think about it, Ryan. Sophia gave you more money than you’d ever earn in a lifetime. Remember how we lived in Moonshadow? Look at us now. We’re drowning, and Linda isn’t going to get you out of this mess.”
Linda, standing off to the side, flushed with embarrassment. She fidgeted, her face alternating between shades of green and white. Ryan’s expression mirrored hers–a mixture of frustration and shame. Life in Moonshadow had been easy for him, but now, everything was falling apart.
But deep down, Ryan couldn’t deny the flicker of doubt in his heart. Memories of his past with Sophia stirred, even though he had destroyed whatever trust existed between them when he shoved her down the steps of the dance classroom. Could there be a chance she’d forgive him?
