Chapter 4After My Boyfriend Paid Off Debt For A Junior

I once accidentally came across some of the messages between James and Emily.

"You're such a great senior, I’m so envious of Clara for finding a boyfriend like you."

"Clara's so lucky. She has a loving family and a boyfriend who dotes on her. I wish I could have the same."

And, of course, James ate it all up, insisting on treating her like a little sister—bringing her food when she was hungry, water when she was thirsty.

When Megan heard that I’d broken up with James, she insisted on dragging me out to celebrate. Her lively energy was contagious, and soon, I found myself in a much better mood.

“You have no idea how much I’ve hated James," Megan said, grinning from ear to ear. "Ever since you started dating him, you’ve barely had time to grab lunch with me. Being blinded by love is how people start losing themselves—and you, my friend, were the poster child for that!”

Hearing her ramble on, I pulled her close and nodded eagerly in agreement.

“I’m sorry, I really was an idiot, okay? You happy now?”

Megan finally nodded with satisfaction and proceeded to drag me into every luxury store in the mall.

As I walked through the aisles, it struck me how much I had changed since dating James. I’d stopped being my own person, morphing into someone whose life revolved entirely around him.

With his business just taking off, he was always strapped for cash, and I hadn’t visited these beloved stores in ages.

“Hey, isn’t that James?” Megan suddenly gasped, her eyes wide.

I followed her gaze and spotted James, along with Emily, who was pulling a suitcase behind her. They seemed to be sneaking around, as if they were up to something.

I didn’t want anything to do with them anymore, but Megan’s curiosity got the best of her. She insisted we go check it out.

We watched as they entered a second-hand luxury bag store, and a suspicion began forming in my mind.

“Isn’t that the limited edition bag I got you two years ago for your birthday?” Megan pointed to a high-end bag on display inside.

I frowned. I’d left behind some things at James’s place when I packed up, planning to send movers to retrieve them later. I hadn’t expected James to take my bag and sell it for Emily’s sake.

Without hesitation, I walked into the store. The moment James saw me, his face went from guilty to gleeful in an instant.

“Clara! What a surprise! I’ve been trying to reach you. I was planning to explain everything once I wrapped up a few things—”

Whack!

I didn’t wait for him to finish. My hand landed square on his cheek, and James stared at me, utterly stunned.

Emily quickly stepped forward to tend to his reddened face. “Clara, how could you hit him? He’s—”

Whack!

Another slap, this time for Emily.

“Hitting you was just something I did on impulse,” I said, voice cold.

Megan burst out laughing, while the rest of the store turned to watch the spectacle unfold.