Chapter 80
Feeling utterly speechless, I silently moved a little further to the side, distancing myself from Linda’s absurd suggestion.
“That’s what you said I’d be interested in?” I asked, my voice heavy with disbelief.
“Yes,” Linda replied, sounding almost smug. “You must be happy to have Ryan back with you, right? But don’t overthink it–he’s only taking on the job as your tutor. There can’t be anything else between
you two.”
I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at her tone. “You guys are thinking pretty much the same thing. it’s not going to happen,” I said flatly. I grabbed my bag, tired of this pointless conversation, and stood up to leave..
“Wait, why?” Linda grabbed my arm, her voice tinged with desperation. “Ryan’s having a hard time right now, and you know what’s going on with his family!”
“I know,” I replied coolly, “but what does that have to do with me?”
“You can help him!” Linda urged, as if her reasoning made any sense. “Ryan will get worse if he “keeps this up!”
I turned my head to look at her, my patience wearing thin. She looked back at me expectantly, as though she believed her request was entirely reasonable.
“What are you looking at me for?” she asked, her face betraying a flicker of uncertainty.
“Do I look like a fool to you?” I finally said, my voice firm and direct. “You and he are two people who love each other, and now you want me to pay to support both of you? How does that make sense?”
My words struck Linda like a whip. She winced, her face paling. Since Ryan and I had broken up for good, he’d been struggling financially, and it seemed he couldn’t even afford to buy her the gifts she had grown accustomed to. Now, she wanted me to step in, so they could continue living in comfort.
It was laughable..
Linda pressed her lips together and muttered, “It’s not like you’re short of money. You gave him
hundreds of thousands for his birthday, didn’t you? That little bit of cash is like pocket change to
you.”
couldn’t help but sneer. “Even if I donated all my money to charity, I wouldn’t give it to you.”
The Alpha’s 50
sed, A Soul Reborn
46.3%
jaimed &g
could see her face tighten as I continued, “Linda, are you already tired of Ryan?”
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
I tilted my head, my tone sharp. “You used to like him because he was the ‘school bully,‘ the guy everyone admired. You couldn’t wait to be with him when he had money and status. But now that you’ve realized he’s the son of a gambler, you regret it, don’t you? And instead of admitting that, you’re using me as a way to fix it.”
Linda’s face turned ghostly white, the truth of my words sinking in. She stammered, clearly flustered, before storming out of the café, leaving behind the bitter scent of her jealousy.
Later that afternoon, I was sitting in the classroom, reading quietly when a shadow loomed over me, blocking the light. I looked up to see Ryan standing there, his expression unreadable.
“Can you stand somewhere else?” I asked, returning my gaze to the book in my hands.
His voice was low, almost tense. “Why are you bullying Linda?”
I blinked, completely taken aback by the accusation. “I bullied her?”
Ryan’s brow furrowed, his frustration evident. “Sophia,” he began, a touch of annoyance creeping into his voice, I admit I was a bit over the top with you before. But… if you have any grievances, ake them out on me. Don’t bully Linda.”
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “You’re overthinking things,” I said with a cold smile. “Whether it’s you or Linda, I won’t let either of you walk all over me again.”
Ryan’s face twisted, his confusion palpable. “You hate us that much?” he asked quietly, almost as if the realization was new to him.
I shook my head, my voice calm but firm. “No. In my heart, there’s no place for either of you at all”
His eyes widened in shock, clearly not expecting such a final, dismissive answer. He looked as though he wanted to say more, but the words didn’t come.
Before the tension could thicken any further, a voice called out from the hallway. “Hey, Sophia.”
The Alpha’s Substitute Tama. A
