- 11.
Mia’s actions were considered defamation.
Because of the public outcry and pressure
from the police, Mia deleted the post.
However, the Internet has a long memory.
Screenshots of what she wrote and photos of
く
them acting lovey–dovey were all over the
internet.
Her popularity was even higher than when
mine was blowing up.
Her school also put out a statement, saying
they were going to deal with the situation.
Just when I thought that everything would be
okay and I could finally concentrate on going
abroad.
I got some terrible news.
My name was removed from the list.
I asked for an explanation.
The professor gave me an answer like he was
<
reading from a script:
“The school is the one that made the
decision. This wasn’t our choice.”
“It’s getting late. You should leave now.
We’re about to go home.”
The door of the department closed behind me
with a loud bang.
It was late autumn, with light rain coming
down from the sky, adding to the coldness.
I looked up, and in the rain and under the
streetlight, I saw a familiar face standing
there.
Liam.
<
Ugh.
I was planning to pretend I didn’t see him and
turn away, but he grabbed my wrist.
I was immediately hit with a coldness that
made my skin crawl.
“Hey…”
I yanked my hand away from him.
“Get lost.”
He looked past me and suddenly said:
“If you drop your lawsuit, you might have a
chance.”
I froze
L
Two weeks before, I’d filed a lawsuit.
I sued Mia.
She had offered to settle, but I had refused.
I finally understood what was going on.
“Did Mia do this?”
Liam only said.
“I told you so.
“Go drop your lawsuit and I’ll talk to the
school.”
I said with sarcasm:
“If you talk to the school, will Mia be mad?”
<
“I wouldn’t want anything to ruin your
relationship.”
Liam shook his head, looking conflicted.
“It’s not…it’s not like that with Mia. Just
listen to me.”
Just listen to me?
I started to shake.
I lifted my hand and finally slapped Liam on
his cheek.
“Liam, liking you is the biggest regret of my
life.”
His head turned to the side, he didn’t look
<
back for a long time.
Liam will never know, I didn’t like him
because he was a genius.
When I fell in love with him, it was probably
because of the way he protected a girl who
was getting bullied in the alley, or maybe it
was the time he bought everything from a
vendor grandma.
That’s the Liam I had come to know. He was
quiet but full of justice.
But things change.
The boy who had once been so righteous was
now corrupt.
“I’m not going to drop the lawsuit. Do your
く
out.”
“Don’t ever talk to me again, Liam.”
“You’re not the only one who has issues. I
don’t want anything to do with any man that
another woman touched.”
Liam reached out to grab me.
He seemed to realize something, his voice
was sharp and anxious.
“Hey!”
I kicked him, my shoe hitting his body with a
thud.
I heard him groan, but he wouldn’t let go.
<
“Liam, you’re making me sick.”
The man behind me went silent, then, he
slowly let go of my hand.
I ran into the rain without looking back.
