Three Years Wrong: I Walked Away

I pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit karaoke room. Marlee Scott's legs were casually draped across my fiance Julian Lohan's lap.

She had a lollipop between her lips, and a silver anklet with tiny bells hung around her ankle. As her foot swayed back and forth to the deafening bass, the bells chimed crisply.

When she saw me walk in, she not only did not move her legs away, but also smiled and winked at me. "Oops, Teresa, you won't mind this, will you? I have always been a carefree person, kind of like one of the guys. There is really nothing between Julian and me. He has always treated me as a friend."

Julian was lounging on the leather sofa, a glass of whiskey in one hand and his other hand resting naturally beside her slender ankle.

He glanced up at me but did not move.

The teasing catcalls around us were abruptly gone.

In Metropola, everyone in our social circle knew that I, Teresa Mendez, had a terrible temper, thought highly of myself, and could not tolerate even the slightest offense.

I had been born with an exceptionally beautiful face.

I was cold yet stunning. Even standing there expressionlessly under the dim lights, I was aggressively beautiful.

My personality was indeed unpleasant, but my looks made up for it.

At least that was why Julian had been chasing after me for four years. Back then, he had been so captivated by my cold but pretty face that he could even risk his life for me.

...

The room was deathly silent.

Julian's friend, Rhett Gilbert, let out an awkward laugh, trying to smooth things over. "Teresa, you made it! Come, sit down. Marlee lost a dare. They were just messing around."

I ignored Rhett.

Wearing seven-centimeter heels, I walked step by step toward the center of the room.

I lowered my eyes, my gaze landing on Marlee's ripped jeans that had already faded after having been washed so many times.

She had just graduated from college this year. Julian had sponsored her as a student from a poor background, and that was how they became "close friends."

She was wild, sweet-talking, and always called Julian in an overly affectionate way.

As I had not said anything, a hint of provocation flashed in Marlee's eyes, but she immediately put on a pitiful look and shrank back slightly. "Teresa, do not be angry. I'll take my legs down right away, okay?"

She did it slowly, even brushing her toe against Julian's brand-new suit pants.

Julian finally moved.

He put down his glass, reached out, and grabbed Marlee's ankles. With a gentle motion, he moved her legs aside.

"Alright. Stop it," he said in a low, slightly hoarse voice.

After that, he patted the empty seat beside him and reached out his hand to me, with his usual elegant and careless expression. "Teresa, come sit here. Didn't you say you were getting your nails done and would not come pick me up?"

He was wearing the expensive watch I had given him, his fingers long and slender. He humbled himself completely, as if what had just happened was nothing more than a childish game.

If it had been before, I probably would have sat down with a cold face and let him coax me softly, holding my hand.

But today, I only curled my lips into a smile, one that never reached my eyes.

I stepped forward, picked up the unopened half-full bucket of ice on the coffee table, and, in front of everyone, poured the ice and water inside the bucket over Marlee's lower body with a loud splash.

The icy water instantly soaked through her jeans, and the chunks of ice rolled onto the floor from her pant legs.

"Ah!" Marlee screamed and jumped up. Her entire body trembled from the cold, and her eyes immediately turned red.

"Teresa!" Julian's expression darkened, and he suddenly stood up.

He did not question me first. Instead, he instinctively took off his custom suit jacket and wrapped it tightly around Marlee's soaked legs, his movements so practiced that it made me feel disgusted.

"What is wrong with you?" Julian frowned at me. A trace of anger from being challenged rose in his eyes, but he was still forcing himself to hold it back and trying to make his tone calm. "Marlee was just joking. Why did you have to make a scene here?"

Marlee sniffled as tears rolled down her cheeks. She tugged on Julian's sleeve.

"Julian, don't be mad at Teresa. It was all my fault... I know Teresa has disliked me for a long time, but I really only see you as a friend..."

Several of Julian's stupid friends also began whispering.

"Teresa is way too domineering."

"Exactly. Julian has spoiled her too much. Does she really think being pretty means she can do whatever she wants?"

"Marlee is such a simple person. She is basically like a tomboy. She can not be evil..."

I stood there, watching them put on the same performance one after another, and I actually found it a little laughable.

"Since she is your friend," I met Julian's cold gaze and spoke slowly. My voice was clear and pleasant, but my words were harsh. "It is hot outside. I was just helping her cool down. Is it wrong for me to do so?"

Marlee's face turned pale.

Julian's brow twitched violently.

He stepped forward and grabbed my wrist so forcefully that he had never done so before.

But there were so many scents on him. Besides the cedarwood fragrance, there was also the peach-scented perfume Marlee always wore.

It was disgusting.

I disgustedly pulled my hand away. "Don't touch me."

Julian's hand froze in midair, and his eyes turned dark and unreadable, as if he was suppressing overwhelming emotions.

After a long moment, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and softened his tone as he reached for my hand again. "Teresa, stop making a scene. Let's go home. I ordered the foreign cuisine you like. Your birthday is next week, and I also won that emerald necklace from the auction for you.

Let us forget about this, okay?"

He did it again.

He always thought that as long as he humbled himself and gave me a little material compensation, I would obediently back down.

I took a small step back, avoiding his hand.

"Julian, keep that emerald necklace and use it to buy your friend a new pair of pants." I curled my lips into a dazzling smile, but my eyes showed no emotion at all. "You disgust me."