The Betrayal Behind the Smile

I never believed in love before, but I fell head over heels in love with him.

I was lost in the depths of love, infatuated and unable to extricate myself. But as I gradually found that what emerged from this sea of love wasn't the sincerity he claimed, but something disgusting like a rotten core instead.

What he did really made me feel extremely disgusted.

1

"Get away from me, don't touch me." I coldly pushed him aside, looking at the chaos of this wedding.

This absurd farce was finally over.

Watching him panic under the accusations of the crowd, I felt a triumphant satisfaction. After lurking for so long, it was worth it.

It all started back in my sophomore year.

I was an only child from a comfortably well-off family.

Since childhood, my parents had pampered me with the best food and clothes, aiming to raise me well so I wouldn't be dazzled by the world's temptations.

In my sophomore year, I met a boy. He was the kind of handsome that radiated sunshine. I often saw him on the basketball court and in many other places. I always felt we had a destined connection, constantly running into each other by chance.

My looks were considered top-tier at our university, and many boys tried to win me over with breakfast or other flattering gestures.

But he was different.

We took many of the same courses, so sometimes we would be in the same classes.

He sat around me, not because he wanted to, but because the view from the back was poor, and he didn't want to be called on by the professor.

I had seen many handsome guys, and plenty had tried to win me over, so at first, I didn't pay him much attention.

In my mind, my outstanding beauty, was surely potent enough to charm any guy. Every day, I would narcissistically admire myself in the mirror. My skin was flawless, my outfits were the trendiest, and I had an enviable figure.

That boy, sitting behind me every day, would eventually be conquered by me.

Sometimes, these thoughts would pop into my head for no reason. It was strange, but also a reality.

"Rylie, will you be my girlfriend?"

After a lecture, I was still in a daze, not fully processing what the professor had said.

I had a serious case of morning grumpiness.

"Get lost." Everyone knew I was an aloof and elegant beauty topping the university rankings, not someone to be trifled with.

The guy was left embarrassed, and I turned to leave with my friends.

Roderick Barnes, who always sat behind me, blocked my path.

I raised an eyebrow in annoyance. "What? Are you going to confess too?"

To my surprise, Roderick said something that shocked me both in college and to this day: "Who do you think you are, to tell my friend to get lost? If you don't want to accept his affection, can't you at least speak politely? Apologize to him."

Oh, right. I forgot to mention that I only knew his name was Roderick because the professor called it during lectures and he always sat close to me.

It was the first time a guy spoke to me like that, and I was stunned.

My friends reacted before I did, pulling my arm and pushing Roderick aside. "Are you crazy? Rylie, let's go."

My friends dragged me away, but his words kept echoing in my mind.

Who did I think I was?

What the heck? I was a renowned beauty on the university rankings.

My head felt like it was going to explode, and I couldn't help but glance back at Roderick.

I thought I saw him smile, like a hunter savoring the naivety of his prey.

But when I blinked and looked again, his face was serious.

Was it just my imagination?

2

"Rylie, stop looking. You're the recognized goddess of our department. That guy's just blind, ignore him."

My friends thought I was troubled by what had happened and tried to comfort me as they pulled me towards the cafeteria.

That incident marked the beginning of Roderick's integration into my life.

I started to notice him unintentionally.

He was different from the boys who only tried to flatter me.

His grades were excellent, and he was always ahead of me in elective courses, often challenging me like a devil's advocate.

He never apologized for what happened that day, and everything seemed as if it never occurred. Our relationship remained the same, yet something had changed.

"Oh no, it's raining, and I forgot my umbrella."

That day, it was drizzling, and none of my good friends showed up for the public lecture due to the bad weather. So I signed in for them.

Although my family was well-off, my parents never slacked in my upbringing.

After the lecture, I thought I would have to walk home in the rain.

Roderick casually tossed an umbrella onto my desk as he passed by, his face still cold.

It was said that Roderick was quite popular at our university. He was handsome, smart, a basketball player, and always ready to help those in need, exuding a strong sense of justice.

Naturally, many girls liked him.

The umbrella incident became the turning point in our relationship. Sticking to the principle of not owing each other anything, I went to the cafeteria to return the umbrella. He said, "Since you're here, why not join me for a meal?"

"Okay." I replied. I didn't refuse, perhaps because a guy like him sparked a desire to conquer.

In the days that followed, I often ran into him at the cafeteria. He would always raise an eyebrow and call me "Shorty".

Annoyed, I would step on his foot, but he never retaliated. Instead, he would help me get more food from the window, explaining nonchalantly when we were leaving, "Eat up, it'll help you grow!"

Our relationship blossomed amidst this playful banter.

"Rylie, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?" He asked one dark evening, standing outside my dorm with a bouquet of roses. It made me feel like it was a really big deal.

I was taken aback and hurried down from my dorm, ready to nod. But then I remembered my roommate's words, "You can't trust men."

So, I took the roses, blushing, and whispered, "I'll give you three days to show me your sincerity, and then I'll agree."

Roderick accepted the challenge.

He seemed to understand a girl's heart well, always bringing me small gifts on any occasion, delivering meals to my dorm, and treating me with gentle care, as if I were a treasure in his hands.

I thought it was time to agree.

But every time I brought him water at the basketball court and saw the crowd of girls around him, I felt uneasy.

When I questioned him, he always explained calmly, "Rylie, I have nothing to do with them."

He would swear by the heavens, looking so earnest, as if I were the only one in his heart.

I was convinced.

And on a rainy day, when he confessed again, I inexplicably agreed.

Once we started dating, he seemed to change. He was more gentle, attentive, and affectionate, almost clingy.

It was like a spider spinning a web to catch its prey, willing to do anything to ensnare it.

On a Sunday, to celebrate our one-month anniversary, he invited me out for dinner.

It was during this meal that I saw another side of him.

He went to the restroom, forgetting his phone. Knowing his password, I unlocked it with ease.

The screen lit up with a flurry of WhatsApp notifications, and I was shocked by what I saw.

3

The messages were all from girls, filled with flirtatious words like, "Where shall we eat, big brother?" and "The weather's great today, want to meet at the playground?" The list went on.

His transaction history was full of payments ranging from tens to hundreds, even thousands.

He was really putting all his efforts into making money and indulging in sexual relationships.

Honestly, I couldn't believe it. The boy who swore he only had eyes for me had a hidden side I never knew.

"Honey, I'm back!"

His familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Panicking, I quickly turned off his phone, pretending nothing had happened, and placed it back where it was.

"Eat up, honey. Why wait for me?" He was still as gentle and meticulous, knowing all my preferences, even deboning the fish I liked and placing it on my plate.

"Okay." I replied softly, feigning happiness.

But inside, I was a storm of emotions.

My boyfriend was a playboy!

This was something I never expected!

I remembered when I had a cold and fever. He defied the dorm supervisor to carry me to the infirmary, step by step, despite the fierce wind that day.

And when I felt his admirers were too much, affecting our relationship, he unhesitatingly distanced himself from all other girls, sternly telling them, "Back off, my girlfriend won't be happy."

He always knew how to make me giggle. We would cuddle up as the sun set below the horizon, and he would pour out those honeyed words, "Seeing the sun set makes me think of my heart because it's so full of love for you, there's no room left for anything else."

I always shyly buried myself in his arms, calling him silly as I laughed, never suspecting that his gentlemanly demeanor was just a facade.

It turned out that the same lines he had used on me, he had also shared with those other girls.

"You can't trust men, Rylie. Don't fall so deep in love that you can't see the truth."

My roommate's words echoed in my mind, filling me with regret for the night I agreed to stay with him at the hotel.

Thinking about that day always made me feel nauseous.