Picked Up Her Ex, She Cried
Furious, Isabella decided to dump him. I couldve celebrated, but I took a cab and knocked on his door. Its me, baby, your girl!
In my past life, Isabella thought Aiden was poor and mistreated him. When she met a rich classmate, she two-timed him.
I tried to warn her. Id seen Aiden get out of a limited-edition Porsche. She ignored me, swore she wouldnt break up.
That night, she drugged me and left me for frat boys. The next day, my photos were everywhere. My parents threw me out; the university expelled me.
Lost, I walked to a lake. Isabella pushed me in. As I fought in the water, she sneered, You like charity cases? Let me make you one.
Im marrying rich. I dont need a goody-two-shoes sister holding me back!
I died full of rage. When I opened my eyes, I was back on the day Aiden got drunk.
1
In our dorm room, Isabella was pampering herself with some ridiculously expensive two-hundred-dollar face mask Carter had bought her.
Im telling you, this stuff is magic, she cooed, admiring her reflection. My skin is already a shade brighter. No wonder everyone wants to date a rich guy.
Our other roommates chimed in, sucking up to her.
Its not just the mask, Bella. Youre just naturally gorgeous. You make everything look good.
After Carter sees you tonight, hell be obsessed. Next, youll be asking for a Birkin bag, and he wont even blink!
They all knew Isabella had been with Aiden for three years, but they actively pushed her toward Carter. A happy Isabella meant a shower of luxury gifts for them, too.
I listened in cold silence, saying nothing. I just watched the clock.
A second later, right on cue, Isabellas phone buzzed.
She glanced at the message and slammed her phone down on the desk with a crack.
A roommate clutched her chest in mock horror. Whoa, whats wrong? Thats the new iPhone! Its over a grand!
Isabella scoffed. Its just a stupid phone. Carter can buy me a new one.
She shoved the screen in their faces. Look at this! That broke loser Aiden actually had the nerve to text me, asking me to go to a hotel with him!
Hes on student loans to pay his tuition! Where does he get the audacity?
Three years weve been together, and the most Ive ever gotten from him is fifty-two bucks! And I have to waste my time texting him back all day, giving him emotional support. Even a hooker gets paid more than this!
The roommate snickered.
Seriously! When you add up the cost of your makeup, your outfits, and all the time you waste on him, youre basically paying to be his girlfriend.
Dont compare yourself to a hooker. At least they dont lose money on the deal.
So, Bella, are you going?
In my past life, that question was my cue. I had rushed in, telling her that Aiden wasnt who he seemed, that Id seen him with a Porsche.
Isabella had lost it. She accused me of wanting her to be miserable, of wanting her to be stuck with a charity case. Everyone at school knew Aiden was a broke pretty-boy with nothing to his name. If he had a Porsche, it was because some rich old cougar was keeping him.
Before I could argue, she fired off the breakup text and left to meet Carter.
Aiden, after being dumped, found out the truth and unleashed his fury on Carters family. In a matter of weeks, their company was in ruins. Isabella, oblivious, had even taken out millions in online loans in her own name to help Carter.
And me? I died in a lake, my body never even recovered.
This time, I wasnt getting involved.
But then, Isabellas eyes landed on me.
Lily? Why are you so quiet?
Usually, youre the first one to complain about me getting close to Carter.
I quickly put my phone down and forced a smile.
What? No way.
I was just worried Aiden would find out. Dating a broke guy is dangerous. He has nothing to lose.
But I cant believe Aiden, seriously. After all this time, he expects you to sleep with him for free? Even if you wanted to go, as your sister, I wouldnt let you!
She snorted, turning back to the mirror to apply her makeup.
Glad you finally see it my way.
Carter booked a room tonight, too. He said its a surprise for our hundred-day anniversary.
Dont worry. Once I marry into his family, Ill introduce you to some rich guys.
I laughed silently to myself. Right, introduce me to be some rich mans mistress, just like you. How thoughtful.
A roommate picked up Isabellas cracked phone and handed it to her.
Without even looking, Isabella tapped the screen and sent a voice message.
Aiden, lets break up. Ive thought about it, and were just not right for each other.
After sending it, she tossed the phone aside, the screen still glowing.
I memorized the hotel room number shed shown us earlier and quietly booked a car on my phone.
Isabella, if youre going to throw away a golden ticket, dont blame me for picking it up.
I had just changed into a simple but clean outfit and was about to head out when a hand grabbed my wrist.
Isabella leaned in, her face cold.
Lily, where do you think youre going? Youre not acting like yourself today.
2
A jolt of panic shot through me, but I kept my face neutral.
Where else? The cafeteria. I dont have a boyfriend to buy me dinner, and its Friday night. The line is going to be insane
She scanned me from head to toe, her voice dripping with disdain. Youd better not be getting any funny ideas. If you dare run to Aiden and tattle, youll regret it.
With that, she turned away to pick out her outfit for the date, already cooing into her phone to Carter.
Really? The one thats eighty-eight hundred a night? Baby, youre too good to me! Were not even officially together yet, I dont know how Ill ever repay you
Its just eight grand, not even what I spend on dinner. Anything for my future girlfriend.
So, since Im putting in all this effort, maybe we can move things forward a little tonight
Isabellas face flushed.
Stop it! What are you saying? My roommates are here.
I didnt wait to hear more. I slipped out the door.
The car was already waiting. I gave the driver the hotel address.
As I pressed the doorbell, my heart hammered against my ribs. Id barely spoken to Aiden before. Our only interactions were me passing on Isabellas excuses. It was always My sister is busy with class or She has to study at the library. In reality, she was out shopping or at a club with Carter, and I was her cover.
What if Aiden got the breakup text and took his anger out on me? I wouldnt know what to say.
Thankfully, the door opened quickly. Aiden didnt look angry, just drunk. His face was flushed, his eyes hazy.
Lily? Are you here to laugh at me?
I glanced past him into the room. On the way over, Id looked up the hotel. It was eighty bucks a night, a world away from the eight-thousand-dollar suite Isabella was going to. Id never understand why rich guys pretended to be poor, but I had to play my part.
No, youve got it all wrong.
I came to apologize on my sisters behalf.
Sensing I wasnt a threat, Aiden stepped aside to let me in.
The moment I sat down, he grabbed another bottle of beer. An empty takeout container sat on the table, clearly ordered after he got the text.
She already broke up with me. Whats the point of an apology?
I know why she did it. She thinks Im poor.
I might not have money, but Im not stupid. Its been three years. You think I didnt notice?
I was trying my best to give her a good life. I even spent my entire semesters living expenses on a diamond ring. I was going to give it to her tonight, but
He let out a bitter laugh and chugged the rest of the beer. The alcohol was hitting him hard, and his words started to slur.
Isabella
You have no idea what Ive given up for you
The dim light cast sharp shadows across his handsome face. Even without his familys money, a man who looked like him would never be ordinary. It was a shame Isabella couldnt see that.
I put on a sympathetic face and handed him a glass of water.
Aiden, theres actually another reason I came here tonight
I closed my eyes, as if summoning all my courage.
Im in love with you!
Ive loved you for a long, long time!
I know my sister just broke up with you, and this is my chance. Ive waited three years for this. I dont want to miss it.
The room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. After a long moment, I heard his cold, mocking laugh.
Love me for what?
Dont tell me youre into charity cases. Do you really expect me to believe that?
I moved closer, about to explain, but he shoved me away, his expression turning to ice.
Did Isabella put you up to this? Is this another one of her games?
She breaks up with me after playing me for three years, and now she sends her sister to confess her love? Whats the plan? You play me for three years, then dump me too? Just so she can be sure Ill never forget her? Shed love that, wouldnt she?
Get out. Before I really lose my temper.
3
He practically roared the last words.
I didnt leave. I just stood up and gently wiped the tears from his eyes.
Im not like Isabella.
You chased her for three years. Ill chase you for three years
Before I could finish, he grabbed my wrist and threw me onto the bed.
Is that so? You love me? Fine. Im going to sleep with you, right now. And then Im not going to be with you. Are you okay with that?
I could see the cruel challenge in his eyes.
Without a second thought, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulled him down, and kissed him.
Im okay with it.
As long as I can be with you, Ill do anything.
Aidens body went rigid for a moment.
Then, maybe it was the alcohol, he finally relaxed into me.
When I opened my eyes again, it was morning.
Aiden was asleep beside me, completely naked.
I slipped out of bed, got dressed, and left, playing the part of the silent benefactor to the very end. I was in such a hurry that I didn't notice his eyes flutter open just as I closed the door.
I had just gotten to the lobby when I ran straight into Isabella and Carter, who were leaving the hotel across the street.
The moment she saw me, Isabella pointed a finger and shrieked, Lily! What are you doing with Aiden?
Her eyes darted to the cheap hotel behind me, and her face turned crimson with rage.
No wonder you didnt try to stop me from breaking up with him! You wanted him for yourself all along! Have you no shame? Aiden was my boyfriend!
Are you that desperate? Youd even steal from your own sister? What kind of monster are you?
I turned and was surprised to see Aiden standing right behind me.
It seems you really are different from Isabella, he said quietly. I misjudged you last night.
I didnt have time to respond. All I could feel was white-hot anger at Isabellas hypocrisy.
Before I could speak, she beat me to the punch, clinging to Carters arm and bursting into tears.
See? I told you he cheated on me! You didnt believe me, but now you see it with your own eyes!
Lily Murphy, youll get whats coming to you for wrecking peoples relationships! Just you wait!
With that, she ran off, sobbing.
Carter shot us a venomous look.
Aiden, your taste in women is pathetic. But thanks for dumping Isabella. It gave me my chance.
He quickly ran after her.
Aiden was looking down at his phone, texting someone.
I did my best to look like a fragile, innocent victim.
Dont worry about it, I said softly. She wasnt mad at you, she was mad at me.
I dont regret what happened last night. But if you dont want to see me again, Ill just head back to school.
I didnt give him a chance to stop me. I hailed a cab and left.
In the rearview mirror, I saw him watching my car drive away, a thoughtful expression on his face.
People always want what they cant have.
That seed of guilt was all I needed to shift his affection from Isabella to me.
I had just stepped onto campus when my phone rang. It was my mother. Before I could even say hello, she started screaming.
Lily, where the hell have you been? You get your ass home right now!
Your sister told me you stole her boyfriend! That you two spent the night in a hotel?
We raised you for twenty years, and this is how you repay us? Have you no shame? What kind of cheap tramp did I raise? Do you have any idea how much your sister was crying on the phone?
You just turned eighteen! Youve never even been in a real relationship, and youre already jumping into bed with men! If people find out, how are your father and I supposed to show our faces in public?
In the background, I heard my father smash something. The sound of shattering glass was sharp and ugly.
Stop wasting your breath on her! Tell her to get her ass home now! If she doesnt know how to act like a decent human being, she can drop out of school! All shes good for is being some mans mistress anyway!
My father snatched the phone.
Lily, I dont care where you are. You have ten minutes to get here. Youre grounded for a month. Youre not leaving this house without my permission!
My eyes burned. I dug my nails into my palm so hard I couldn't feel the pain.
Just because Isabella was prettier, because she was better at sweet-talking them.
My whole life, they had always favored her.
At school, when we had parent-teacher conferences, they could have each gone to one of our classrooms. But all it took was a little pouting from Isabella, and they both ended up at her desk, leaving mine empty.
The kids in my class used to taunt me, calling me an orphan, a bastard with no parents.
I fought them.
When the teacher called my parents, they came, listened to the story, and then slapped me across the face.
Ugly people just love making trouble. Youre in the same class as your sister. How come nobody bothers her? Did you start it?
What are you standing there for? Apologize to your classmate!
There were so many stories like that, so many that they swarmed my mind whenever I closed my eyes.
In my last life, I lived in Isabellas shadow.
After I died, my parents scraped together every penny they had to pay off her million-dollar loans. Not one of them ever thought of me.
All it took was one sentence from Isabella:
Lily probably ran away because she found out about my debt and was afraid Id drag her down.
And my parents grief turned to endless resentment.
If we had known shed turn out like this, we should have just given her away at birth! It would have been better than raising an ungrateful snake!
Tears streamed down my face. For the first time, I found the courage to scream back into the phone.
You think I have no shame? At least Im not a two-timing cheater!
You believe every word Isabella says! If you trust her so much, then why do you even need me as a daughter?
My father lost control.
How dare you! How dare you talk back to your parents! Is this how I raised you?
You can forget about your allowance for the rest of the year! Go beg for money from your men! If you love selling your body so much, go ahead! Just dont come crying to us when you get some disease!
He hung up.
I stood at the school gate.
The wind felt like it was cutting straight to my bones, and I shivered.
I never knew a parent could say such venomous things to their own child.
I never knew that not all parents in the world love their children.
I managed to drag myself to my dorm. As I stepped onto the front stairs, a voice snarled from above.
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