Chapter 3

Tyler’s face turned from red to pale under my words. Since both of our friend groups were watching, my bluntness clearly bruised his fragile ego.

"Chloe, I never asked you to buy me gifts or spend money on me. I even warned you before—if your family isn't doing well, stop trying to flex and live beyond your means just to look rich. You just wouldn't listen," Tyler said, suddenly putting on a self-righteous act, trying to lecture me.

My family wasn't doing well? Ah, right. Every time I bought him a gift or treated him to dinner, to make my feelings seem more sincere, I would tell him that I had saved up for a long time. Sometimes I even lied and said I took a part-time job just to buy him things.

And yet, none of that had touched him. Instead, I ended up looking like a desperate fool.

"Right, Tyler. You didn't ask. I was just stupid!" I pulled a beautifully wrapped gift box from my purse and held it up. "You said you loved this watch, and I went through hell to get it for your birthday. And this is how you treat me? Fine. I don’t need to waste it on you anyway."

I looked around the room and spotted a guy sitting quietly in the corner. I knew he was Tyler's roommate. I vaguely remembered him, though I forgot his name—he was the famous, quiet straight-A student in their major.

I walked over, tossed the box into his lap, and tilted my chin. "It’s yours."

With that, I turned around and walked out of the lounge.

Whatever happened in that room after I left was no longer my business.

Being rejected was one thing, but realizing Tyler had been playing hard-to-get just to keep me on his hook made me sick. He had probably been laughing at how gullible I was behind my back.

And I actually spent so much money on a guy like that?

Even though that money was pocket change to me, spending even a single penny on a piece of trash was a waste!

You want to play games with me, Tyler? Fine. You'll regret this.