Chapter 18

As I was leaving the coffee shop, Julian called out, “Serena, wait up!”

I kept walking, but he quickly caught up and grabbed my arm. “Explain yourself.”

I scoffed. “Explain what? I don’t love you. You love Elena. I hope you two have a long, happy life together. You guys are the perfect match—a bitch and an asshole.”

I was too exhausted to argue, so I turned and walked away. I could still hear his yelling from behind, “Who are you calling an asshole? No, who are you calling a bitch?”

After venting my anger, I felt much better when I got back to the dorm. After today, Julian would probably never show his face again. Finally, I’d have some peace and quiet. I was looking forward to not being bothered.

When I walked into the coffee shop the next day, I saw someone I didn’t want to see—Elena. And she was alone.

Unlike the innocent, pretentious act she put on yesterday, Elena’s eyes scanned me with undisguised disdain the moment she walked in. “Let’s talk,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.

I didn’t want to engage, but the cunning look in her eyes gave me an idea. “Why don’t you sit at that table in the corner? I’ll be right over.”

Elena glanced at the spot I pointed to. It was tucked away in a shadowy corner, private enough for whatever she had in mind. A sly smile tugged at her lips as she nodded and made her way over.

After finishing my order, I made my way over and sat across from her. She took a sip of her coffee, slowly set the cup down, and wiped her mouth with an almost graceful touch. “I’ve done some digging. The Hastings family doesn’t have a daughter. You’re an imposter.”

I nodded. “I never claimed to be from the Hastings family.”

Her eyes darkened with disgust as she processed my admission. “So, you’re just a poor student?”

“Yes,” I replied.

Her gaze hardened. “Do you know about the Blake family?” Her tone dripped with disdain. “The Blakes would never accept someone with no background.”

I scoffed. “So what? I’m not marrying Julian. Whether the Blakes like me or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that they like you.”

Hearing my words, a glimmer of triumph flashed in Elena’s eyes. Then, as if a thought had crossed her mind, she looked at me. “But Julian still has feelings for you.”

A month ago, if someone had said that, I would have been overjoyed. But now, it only made me feel disgusted—especially coming from Elena with that tone.

“You’ve been with Julian for so long, and you still can’t replace me?” I raised an eyebrow. “He’s been thinking about you for years. How is it that you’re still so incompetent?” I accused her bluntly, focusing on draining her energy instead of my own.

“You—” Elena stood up, her face flushing with anger. But then something seemed to click in her mind, and she sat back down. “You still love Julian, don’t you? You’re just angry because Julian deceived you, but deep down, you still care about him, don’t you?”