"But you’re just a substitute, something inferior to Liu. How could you ever surpass me or deserve to stay by his side?"
I bit my lower lip, struggling to remain calm, determined not to let her words provoke me.
But Jennifer only pushed further.
"You know, he still clings to me in his sleep, begging me not to leave. When I asked him about you, he said you’re just a dog—insignificant and predictable."
That was it. I couldn’t take any more.
"Enough! Stop talking!" I shouted, raising my hands to cover my ears.
Jennifer’s expression shifted dramatically. She stumbled backward and fell weakly to the ground.
In the blink of an eye, Brad rushed in like a whirlwind, kneeling beside her.
I had never seen him so concerned about anyone else before.
"Faith, you deliberately hurt Jennifer. I can’t believe you’ve stooped to this level," he spat, his words cutting through me like a blade.
I stared at him, dumbfounded, my heart already shattered and bleeding. No matter what I said, he would always side with her.
Jennifer smirked as Brad turned back to me, adding venomously, "What can you do? Should I remind her of the things you whispered in bed?"
Brad’s face drained of color. He looked at Jennifer nervously, clearly afraid she might take my words seriously. In a panic, he quickly scooped her up and hurried away.
As I watched their retreating figures, my legs gave out beneath me. I collapsed onto the ground, hands numb, unable to move or think clearly for a long time.
Because, in truth, I lied.
But Brad panicked.
It was clear how important Jennifer was to him.
I returned home weakly, my steps dragging, and from a distance, I noticed Edgar waiting downstairs. The moment he saw me, he rushed over.
"Why did you come back so late? I was worried something happened to you," he said, concern etched on his face.
I forced a stiff smile. "It’s nothing—just my ex-boyfriend and his current girlfriend stirring up trouble again."
Edgar looked uncomfortable, lowering his head slightly, guilt flickering in his eyes.
"Sorry... If I had known, I would’ve gone with you."
I shook my head dismissively. It didn’t matter; after all, he wasn’t obligated to help me. He had already done enough—finding a location for my studio and promoting it. For that, I was grateful.
Under the dim streetlamp, Edgar’s face turned crimson. He bit his lower lip, seeming hesitant about something. Then, with a trembling voice, he grabbed my arm and said,
"I know this confession is late, but I’ve liked you for a long time—long before him. Will you let me take care of you?"
I froze, his words sending me into a whirlwind of confusion. Brad’s mocking voice echoed in my mind, and my body trembled instinctively.
Could Edgar be playing a cruel game too?
I had trusted him, believed he wasn’t like Brad. Was I wrong all along?
As doubt clouded my mind, I reflexively tried to push him away, but he held my arm firmly, refusing to let go.
Edgar’s voice steadied as he continued, his words deliberate and unwavering.
"You may not believe what I say next, but it comes from my heart."
"I saved you when you fell into the lake. But after you woke up, Brad took the lead and claimed he acted bravely. The reason was simple—he needed the credit for his postgraduate entrance examination."
My heart skipped a beat, and the nervous look he had that day at the lake came rushing back.
The two figures couldn't help but overlap.
"After getting to know you, I realized I had fallen in love with you, but you’ve always been around Brad and never looked back at me."
He smiled bitterly, shaking his head with self-pity. He then took out an old, damaged diary and placed it into my hands.
"This time, I leave the choice to you. As long as you want, I will always be here, waiting for you."
The diary felt as heavy as a thousand pieces of gold. As Edgar's figure disappeared into the darkness, I gathered my thoughts and returned home, repeatedly considering whether to let go of the diary.
But I was stunned by the words in front of me.
The dense records inside were all his thoughts.
