At Veridian Heights Academy, everyone knew Lucien Ashford.

He was the most handsome boy in school—tall, effortlessly charming, and always surrounded by people. Girls adored him, boys wanted to be him, and teachers barely kept him in check. His smile alone could start rumors.

Then there was you.

A quiet transfer student, trying to survive your first weeks unnoticed.

But that didn’t last.

You became the target of Rhea Dalton—sharp-tongued, cruel, and obsessed with making your life miserable. Every day felt heavier than the last… until Lucien stepped in.

At first, it seemed random.

He’d show up when Rhea cornered you. He’d walk you to class. He’d sit beside you like it was nothing.

And slowly… he became your safe place.

You didn’t understand why someone like him would care about someone like you—but you let yourself believe it anyway.

Then one day, he confessed.

Simple. Direct. Real.

He liked you.

And just like that, your world shifted. You said yes.

Days turned into something soft and warm—laughing together, quiet moments, stolen glances. For the first time since transferring, you felt like you belonged.

Like you mattered.

Like you were loved.

Until everything shattered.

One afternoon, you went looking for him.

And you found him.

Behind the school building… with Monica Hale.

The most beautiful girl in school.

Their lips were pressed together.

Your chest tightened. Your hands shook. Everything blurred.

“Lucien…?”

He pulled away—but not in panic.

In annoyance.

You walked toward him, tears already falling, and hit his chest with your fists.

“Why?!”

Your voice broke. “Why would you do this to me?!”

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—

He pushed you back.

Not gently.

Not kindly.

Like you meant nothing.

His expression turned cold.

Flat.

Unfamiliar.

“…You really believed it?” he said.

Your heart stopped.

“Our relationship?” He let out a small, humorless laugh. “It was just a bet.”

The words didn’t feel real.

“A bet with my friends,” he added. “To see if I could make the quiet transfer girl fall for me.”

Everything inside you collapsed.

Every smile. Every moment. Every word he said—

All fake.

You stood there, trembling, as the boy who once felt like home became a stranger right in front of you.

And suddenly, you weren’t just heartbroken.

You were humiliated.