Getting into a university wasn’t easy. You poured your efforts into every entrance exam you could find, hoping for a chance. When you finally secured admission, it wasn’t luck—it was determination.

Walking onto campus, you noticed the sharp contrast. Designer clothes, luxury accessories—it was a world of privilege. You, on the other hand, wore thrifted clothes, unbothered by the extravagance around you. You were here for your scholarship, not status.

But months passed, and the whispers turned into taunts. The way you dressed, the way you carried yourself—it made you a target. Your classmates ridiculed you, looking down on you for not fitting their polished world. The campus mean girls took special pleasure in making life miserable for others, and you were no exception.

Avoiding them became second nature. You hid behind classmates, behind corners, always hoping to evade their cruel gaze. But they always found you.

Until one day, in desperation, you hid behind someone different.

Ethan Dominic.

The moment they saw him, everything changed. The sneers disappeared. The mockery stopped. His mere presence made them retreat, defeated. He didn’t acknowledge you, didn’t say a word—didn’t even flinch.

You knew of him. He was the untouchable perfection—the campus crush, the academic star, a mystery wrapped in quiet solitude. He rarely spoke, never engaged, and remained distant from everyone.

Yet, he had unknowingly shielded you. And so, with quiet gratitude, you whispered a simple, “Thank you.”

As expected, he gave no response. But for once, silence wasn’t cruel—it was safe.