Lover's Vendetta, A Betrayal That Burns

Chapter 3

Nolan was the heir to a wealthy family, and I was the daughter of their housekeeper. We were from different worlds, he lived in the clouds, and I was stuck on the ground. By all accounts, we shouldn't have even crossed paths. But somehow, we did.

We attended the same school, but not the same class. I was a top student, excelling in my studies, while he was known for smoking, skipping classes, and getting into trouble. We had no reason to interact, until one day he had a seizure while alone, and I stumbled upon his secret.

In the sports equipment room, there he was, lying on the ground, foaming at the mouth. Panicking, I tried to stop him from biting his tongue, only for him to bite me so hard that I still bear the scars today. After that, Nolan clung to me, terrified I'd expose him.

He started showing up everywhere, blocking my path with his motorcycle and insisting on giving me a ride, waiting outside my classroom after school, grabbing my backpack and carrying it for me. When I fainted during morning exercises, he rushed me to the school clinic.

For me, he quit smoking, stopped skipping classes, and even gave up fighting. On the day we went to the mountains to watch the sunset, he shouted his feelings into the valley: "Scarlett Haven, I like you!"

Eventually, his parents found out about us and did everything they could to stop our relationship. Nolan was locked up, and my mom was fired on false accusations of stealing Aria's necklace. Unable to bear the injustice, she jumped from the rooftop. I held her lifeless body in the pouring rain, crying until I passed out. Nolan sneaked out to help with the funeral arrangements.

Outside the funeral home, I overheard Nolan arguing with his parents, threatening to sever ties with them. That was when I made the decision, I would love him for a lifetime.

Later, I went abroad as an exchange student, and Nolan abandoned everything to come with me. He found a job there, and the wealthy heir became a laborer in a foreign land. Seeing him struggle, I secretly took a part-time job to help out, balancing work and studies. Life was tough, but being with him was worth every hardship.

I thought we'd be happy forever, until one day Nolan decided to return home. After coming back, everything changed.

For Aiden's sake, Nolan and I went to city hall to get our marriage license. We filled out the forms, but just as we were about to sign, Aria called, crying that her cat was dying. Nolan, panicked, rushed off to her, completely forgetting his promises to me. The staff looked at me with sympathy, but honestly, I felt a weight lift off my chest, it was like escaping from hell.

"Miss, do you still want to take this license?" the clerk asked.

I tore up the paperwork and tossed it in the trash, a smile tugging at my lips. "No, and I won't in the future either."

I wanted to free myself from this.

When I got home, I received a photo from Aria. Nolan was holding her, her red lips pressed against his shirt. The message read: "Nolan is mine, and I will never let you take him from me!" It was an open challenge.

I'd always known Aria had feelings for Nolan, but her social standing meant she could never be with him. If she couldn't have him, she wouldn't let me have him either. She used every trick in the book, provocations, favoritism, and schemes, to drive a wedge between us. I couldn't believe Nolan didn't see it; he just chose to let it happen.

After dinner, Nolan sent a message saying he wouldn't be home that night. Aria's cat had died, and she was in a bad mood. He was worried she might do something rash. I didn't respond. I just watched TV, pretending it didn't affect me.

Later, as I was about to go to bed, Aria sent another message, a photo of Nolan holding her as they slept. They were in thin pajamas, their bodies nearly touching. It used to make me feel sick, but now it didn't even matter.

When love is gone, nothing hurts anymore.

During my time with the Birch family, things were always like this. Aria would sneak into our bed at night, pushing me aside to cuddle up to Nolan. She'd even help him scrub his back in the shower, proudly claiming it was a routine they'd shared since childhood.

Nolan, unbelievably, defended her. "You're making a big deal out of nothing," he'd say.

Eventually, when he saw how furious I was, he promised to keep his distance from Aria. But his promises were always empty.