2: 2
“Make me pay? Barbara, have you been watching too many soap operas? Did they rot your brain?”
Nat stopped, turned, and looked at me like I was a child throwing a tantrum.
“In this circle, who could possibly make me pay a price? You?”
He snorted, slid an arm around Abigail's shoulders, and walked out of my house without looking back.
Beside me, my parents were still going on and on, scolding me for not knowing better, saying I'd nearly offended the Cox family when they were exactly the kind of connection we needed.
I couldn't be bothered to listen, so I went straight to my room and locked the door.
The next day, Abigail posted a digital invitation on her socials.
It was for her college acceptance party, booked at a five-star hotel downtown.
The caption read: “Thank you to the one I love for walking every step with me. Columbia, here I come~”
Along with it, a photo of the expensive diamond necklace Nat had given her.
The class group chat blew up instantly, everyone chiming in with congratulations.
A few people tagged me, asking where I'd gotten in.
I didn't reply. I just stared quietly at the screen.
Soon a private message from Abigail came through.
“Barb, my party's tomorrow. You absolutely have to come.”
“Nat says if you come, it means you've forgiven us, and he's got a surprise ready for you too.”
Looking at that fake little message, I let out a cold laugh.
“Sure. I'll be there right on time.”
The next evening, dressed in plain, casual clothes, I walked into the banquet hall.
The room was buzzing. Abigail, in a couture gown, stood surrounded like a princess with everyone fawning over her.
Nat stood at her side in a sharp suit, playing the role of host to the hilt.
The moment she saw me come in, Abigail rushed over, all warmth.
“Barb, you finally made it! I thought you were still mad at me.”
She raised her voice on purpose, drawing every head in the room toward us.
Nat came over with a glass in hand, glanced at me, and frowned.
“An occasion this important, and you show up dressed like that?”
“Never mind. At least you came, so you're not completely clueless. Here, this is for you.”
He casually handed me a beautifully wrapped box.
The classmates around us started egging him on at once.
“Wow, young Mr. Cox really doesn't hold back. Barb, open it, see what it is!”
I didn't take it. I just looked at him coldly.
“What is this?”
Annoyed at my attitude, Nat shoved the box into my hands.
“A freshman guide for the state school, plus a fresh set of grad school prep materials.”
“Since you're headed to that state university, study hard and stop dwelling on nonsense.”
“As long as you behave yourself, the spot as the Cox family's young mistress is still yours in four years.”
The room went quiet in an instant, and every gaze turned subtle.
Everyone knew Columbia had been my goal, so this was nothing short of slapping me across the face in public.
Abigail covered her mouth and gave a fake little gasp.
“Nat, you're so tactless. Barb's going to be hurt.”
Then she turned to me, her eyes brimming with the urge to show off.
“Barb, don't take it the wrong way. Nat just says whatever's on his mind. Really, he means well for you.”
Looking at the box in my hands, I suddenly laughed.
In front of everyone, I dropped that box straight into the trash can beside me.
“Nat, save your charity for someone who actually needs it.”
Nat's face darkened at once, and he grabbed my wrist hard.
“Barbara, don't push your luck! You think you're still that academic star?”
“All you are now is a loser who can only get into a state school!”
“I invited you as a favor. Don't be so ungrateful!”
I wrenched my hand free, my stare cold to the bone.
“Nat, who the real loser is, you'll have your answer soon enough.”
