Chapter 5
But now the roles had reversed. When they discussed us, Cody’s gaze would often unintentionally land on my face, his eyes burning with intensity.
It seemed like he was eagerly waiting for some kind of reaction from me.
But I remained silent, and didn’t speak until we were almost at the entrance of the residential area after evening self-study.
Cody, unable to hold back any longer, finally asked, “Annabell, what’s going on with you? If there’s any problem, shouldn’t we talk it out?”
I looked up at him, my expression serious. “I’m not sulking. I just suddenly figured something out.”
Figured out what? Did someone say something to you, or are you just overthinking it?”
He took a deep breath, seemingly trying to suppress his emotions. “We’ve known each other for so long, do you really want to push me toward omeone who doesn’t matter?”
le, such a rational person, was willing to throw everything away for her, to be so devoted to her.
and now he coldly said she was “someone who doesn’t matter.”
couldn’t imagine how, in so many fleeting moments in the past, he had suppressed his dislike and calmly called me “wife.”
Cody, have you really thought about your own feelings?” I stopped and suddenly tilted my head up. “Do you really think you like me?”
le froze for a few seconds, then mumbled softly, “I… like.”
Like what about me?” I pressed, seeking the truth.
le thought for a long time, but then suddenly fell into silence.
sharp voice abruptly shattered the eerie silence.
I was Cody’s mother returning home from work.
he raised her brows arrogantly, her tone tinged with impatience, “You’re at the age for studying, you shouldn’t be distracted by nonsense. Besides, ou’re just a little girl, how could you always be bothering our Cody?”
Cody, hurry up and go home to study.”
he tugged at Cody’s sleeve, urging him to go home.
er loud voice seemed to want to let everyone in the neighborhood know that Annabell was still tangled up with Cody.
ormally, when her mother would be harsh and sarcastic toward me, making me feel uncomfortable, Cody would always advise me to be patient.
ut this time, I calmly forced a smile, then said to her with a firm voice, “Auntie, you don’t need to treat me like a snake. After all, your son isn’t that
reat.
From now on, I promise to stay as far away from your family as possible, and I’d appreciate it if you don’t misunderstand.”
fter saying this, I turned around and walked away.
left Cody, who was still standing there in a daze, and his mother, so angry she looked ready to tear me apart.
nnabell and Cody began a long period of cold war.
proactively asked the homeroom teacher to move my seat, intentionally avoiding any opportunity to interact with him, burying myself in my studies
without a word.
he classmates who liked to gossip soon lost interest. At first, they were curious and confused, but eventually, they silently accepted that we were
done for good.
Looking back at the timeline, the key event that would lead Cody to develop feelings for Lena was just around the corner.
As the first mock exam approached, Cody and Lena got together.
In the dull and monotonous life of high school, this news was like a bomb thrown into water.
A muffled sound, followed by huge ripples.
“Hey, did you hear? Cody and a younger girl are together now?”
“They came to school holding hands today, so sweet! I heard that girl was followed by some gangsters last night, and Cody saved her. That’s when she confessed.”
“Whoa, I saw them. That girl’s name is Lena, she looks so cute. I think she’s prettier than An-”
The gossipers’ eyes shifted, and suddenly they went quiet as if they realized something.
The whole classroom fell into a stillness as they looked at me, seemingly eager to see me lose my composure.
Those eyes felt like needles, uncomfortable but impossible to ignore.
immediately put down my pen and grabbed my thermos to go get some water.
Coincidentally, I ran into them at the staircase.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.