Chapter 2I Am Redemption

After being soaked with ice water and then waiting in the cold wind for a cab, it was no surprise that I woke up with a fever the next day.

I called my advisor to get the day off, then I called Faye.

The phone rang for a long time before someone picked up.

"Faye, I have a fever..." My voice was a hoarse croak.

There was a pause on the other end, then a man's voice answered, laced with an arrogant, triumphant tone.

"Faye's asleep. Should I wake her?"

My entire body went cold. It took me a moment to find my voice.

"Nolan? Is she at your place...?"

He chuckled.

"Technically, I'm at her place. I was on an IV until late last night, and my house is too far, so Faye brought me back to her apartment."

He paused, then continued, his voice oozing with a sense of inevitable victory.

"You know, Kian, if I wanted to, I could take Faye from you anytime."

"But honestly, competing with you for a woman... it's not even a challenge."

His words were dripping with pride and confidence, as if to say you're not even worthy of being my rival.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. "Faye isn't a toy," I said, my voice cold.

"And she's not like other girls."

Nolan's laughter grew louder.

"So defensive of her? Here, let me play you something interesting."

He played a recording.

Nolan's voice, slurred with alcohol, came through the speaker.

"Faye, you still haven't answered my question from earlier. Why are you really with Kian Monroe?"

"He's smart and kind. He's a good person. Why wouldn't I like him?"

A wave of relief washed over me, and a small smile touched my lips.

See? Faye was different.

But my relief was short-lived. Nolan's voice continued.

"Is that so? Then why did you choose to take me home tonight instead of him?"

"Why have you been stealing glances at me all night?"

"Faye, what if I told you that if you break up with him, I'll be with you?"

My heart seized.

A nervous tension gripped me. Answer him, Faye. Tell him you only love me. Reject him, now...

"Would you really?"

Faye's voice trembled, filled with a nervous, almost hopeful excitement.

My heart plummeted.

The recording ended. Nolan laughed.

"Get it now, Kian? Being handsome really does give you all the power."

I hung up the phone.

I pulled my knees to my chest, hugging them tightly.

I had to admit it. I was scared.

The fever made my head spin, making it nearly impossible to think straight. But one memory cut through the haze: Faye, climbing through that classroom window, taking my hand.

The girl in the white shirt, her face full of righteous conviction. Her palm was warm, sending a steady stream of strength into me.

"Kian, looks aren't everything. You are who you are."

Those words had changed my life.

Before that, I hated myself. My real face brought my family nothing but trouble, and my plain, disguised face brought me nothing but bullies. I had started to wonder if my existence had any meaning at all.

It was Faye's words that made me see myself differently, to focus on my character instead of my appearance.

But I forgot that people change.

Whether she had changed her mind or not, I had to ask her myself.

I took some medicine and slept for a whole day. When I woke up, I saw a long list of missed calls on my phone.

Not a single one was from Faye.

It used to be that if I went more than an hour without texting her, she'd come running to find me, terrified that something had happened.

I let out a bitter laugh.

The answer seemed obvious.

Pulling myself together, I called back the number that had tried me the most: my academic advisor.

She picked up immediately. "Kian, you finally answered! I heard you were sick. About that job hosting the Ivy League professors in three days—you don't have to worry about it anymore. We've found a replacement."