Chapter 3The Backup Girlfriend

In the VIP room.

After hanging up, Hunter didn't speak again.

People whispered.

"What did Stella say? Did you hear?"

"She just said 'Oh'."

"No way? Seriously? No reaction? She chased Hunter like a dog, ready 24/7. How could she not care?"

"I bet the shock was too big. She froze."

At the table, people stood up to toast the new couple.

Hunter barely reacted.

He just smirked faintly and kept scrolling through his phone.

Refresh. No comment from Stella. No new message.

Hunter’s eyes grew darker.

Others didn't know Stella, but he knew. Her tone just now was flat, completely void of emotion.

Like she heard something totally irrelevant to her life.

But why?

Usually, she lit up just seeing him.

She hung up first?

Suddenly, Lily's best friend stood up, pouring wine indignantly.

"Honestly, you guys should have been together ages ago. It's all because of someone trying to be a homewrecker. So shameless, right Lily?"

Lily pursed her lips shyly and nodded.

"Can't blame her. Even though Hunter liked me back then, she probably thought she had a chance."

"I don't care. She better stop clinging to Hunter now. Can we beat her up and then delete her number?"

Lily giggled. "Don't be violent. Just have Hunter delete her."

She reached for Hunter's phone.

He slammed his hand down on it.

"What are you doing?"

Hunter glared at her.

Lily froze. She'd seen Hunter angry before; it was never pretty. She swallowed her words.

"N-Nothing."

Her eyes turned red, tears welling up.

Hunter ignored her and stood up.

"You guys have fun. I'm leaving."

He grabbed his jacket and walked out.

Lily sat there, stunned.

Outside, Hunter stared at his phone for a long time.

He looked up at the moon, took a deep breath, and opened his chat with Stella.

[Usually you're desperate to stick to me. Are you dead today?]

[Just because I'm official doesn't mean we can't be friends. Don't be too sad. Come out, I'll comfort you. You have 30 minutes.]