Chapter 3

I tightened my grip on the Coke bottle in my hand, and my knuckles turned white from the force.

“Fine, I won’t go in. Zach, take your things and get out here right now.”

Zach let out a cold laugh.

“Come out? This is Liam’s home game, and you want me to come out?”

“Is something wrong with your brain?”

“Even if you got on your knees and begged me right now, I wouldn’t go out.”

I felt as if a huge stone were blocking my chest, making even breathing difficult.

“Zach, if you don’t come out, then don’t contact me again after this.”

The other end of the line went silent for two seconds.

Then came Zach’s mocking laughter.

“Fine, Lily. Don’t threaten me with a breakup.”

“If you dare leave today, don’t come begging me to get back together later!”

“Maya, let’s go closer to the front. Ignore this crazy woman.”

Before I could speak, the dial tone sounded again.

I stood under the blazing sun, looking at the bustling crowd around me, and suddenly felt it was all absurd.

After three years together, I had thought he was just a little short-tempered.

I never imagined that in front of someone else, he could belittle me until I was worth nothing.

The security guard came over again and tapped the railing beside me with his baton.

“Hey, I’m talking to you. Don’t stand here and get in the way!”

I took two steps back, and my vision suddenly went black.

As the world spun around me, I heard people nearby cry out in alarm. When I opened my eyes again, I smelled the strong scent of disinfectant.

A nurse was taking my blood pressure.

“You’re awake? You had mild heatstroke. A kind passerby brought you to the medical tent.” The nurse put away the blood pressure monitor.

I propped myself up on the canvas cot and felt my stomach churn violently.

“Thank you. How long have I been lying here?” I asked weakly.

The nurse checked her watch.

“Almost an hour. Hurry and contact a friend or family member to pick you up. It’s too hot outside.”

I patted my pocket and found my phone.

There were no missed calls on the screen.

There was only one message from Zach sitting in my texts, sent ten minutes ago.

“Go buy Maya an official canvas tote. She didn’t get one, and you’re just hanging around outside anyway.”

Looking at that line of text, I was so angry I laughed out loud.

I had passed out from heatstroke outside the stadium, and not only did he not care where I had gone, but he was ordering me to buy merch for his “sweet little friend.”

I directly called Zach on FaceTime.

It rang until the last few seconds before he finally picked up slowly.

“Did you get the bag? Don’t buy the wrong color. Maya likes the black one.”

I spoke coldly.

“Zach, I have heatstroke. I’m in the medical tent right now.”

The other end paused for a moment, then Zach’s impatient voice came through.

“Lily, why are you pretending to be fragile?”

“Are you deliberately trying to get attention because you saw Maya having fun inside?”

I closed my eyes and forced down the urge to smash my phone.

“I’m not pretending. I’m dizzy and nauseous, and I can’t even stand steadily.”

Zach clicked his tongue on the other end.

“Enough. Stop putting on this pathetic act.”

“Maya’s ankle got stepped on and it’s swollen. I need to go find an ice pack for her now.”

“Since you’re in the medical tent, grab an ice pack and bring it to the ticket gate.”

I seriously suspected there was something wrong with my ears.

“You want someone who passed out from heatstroke to bring an ice pack to you and your mistress?”

Zach instantly exploded.

“Watch your mouth! What mistress?”

“Maya is an innocent girl. We’re just pure friends!”

“Why is your mind so filthy? If your own heart is dirty, everything you see looks dirty!”

Maya’s tearful voice came from beside him at exactly the right time.

“Zach, don’t scold Lily.”

“It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have twisted my ankle. I’ll walk out right now even if it hurts, and I won’t cause Lily any trouble...”

Zach comforted her with obvious heartache.

“Why would you walk? Your foot is swollen like that! The one who should leave is a cold-blooded animal like her with no sympathy!”

I didn’t want to listen to this disgusting pair act anymore, so I hung up directly.