After returning home, I shut myself in my room, refusing to eat or drink as I was overwhelmed by self-doubt. I couldn't comprehend why the two people I trusted most would betray me. Was I too kind, allowing them to stomp all over my genuine feelings as they wished? Or was I simply undeserving of true affection, destined to be a casualty in this charade?

Everyone knew how much I cared for Kyle, my heart and mind completely absorbed with him. But what they didn't know was how he first drew me in with his intense love, slowly capturing my heart. During our freshman orientation party, I twisted my ankle by tripping backstage, and he was the one who carried me to the medical center. He was also the one who woke up early every morning to buy me breakfast, patiently waiting in line without complaint.

But after I accepted his advances, he changed abruptly, claiming he needed to concentrate on his studies. Before long, I found myself the one chasing after him.

"Hattie, if you kneel down and beg me now, I might be gracious enough to forgive your earlier lack of sensitivity," Kyle's voice jolted me back to reality. Looking at this stranger I once adored, now filled with contempt, I replied icily, "Kyle, do you really think you're worth it? Just looking at you makes my skin crawl."

He was taken aback by my response, and his expression darkened immediately. I pushed him aside resolutely and walked away quickly. It took Kyle a moment to react, and then he yelled at my retreating figure, "Hattie, do you think making up some imaginary fiancé will force me to be with you? Keep dreaming! Your little ploys are utterly childish in my eyes!"

I paused at his words, turned back, and said coolly, "Believe whatever you want." With that, I headed straight for the door. Behind me, I could hear the mocking voices of his friends. "I bet Hattie won't last three days before she's crawling back, begging Kyle for forgiveness."

Kyle shouted loudly, "Even if she gets down on her knees, I will never forgive her! Hattie, let's see how long you can keep this up!"

I walked away confidently, ignoring him completely.

The next day.

On my way to meet Alistair White for a date, I unexpectedly encountered Kyle Ford and his friends gathered downstairs at the same restaurant.

I aimed to head straight to the private room on the second floor, but they blocked my way.

One of them jeered, "Hattie, didn't expect you'd come crawling back to make amends with Kyle this quickly."

Kyle, hands casually in his pockets, smirked cockily, "Even if you got down on your knees today, I wouldn't forgive you."

I gazed at him steadily, wondering how someone once so gentle could change so drastically.

With a slight frown, I replied coolly, "Why would anyone apologize to a jerk like you? I'm not here for you; I'm here to meet my fiancé."

"It's just a coincidence we ran into each other here."

"Hahaha, that's a good one! That's really funny."

One of his friends laughed until tears streamed down his face. "Anyone dining here must be wealthy or important. You, a broke nobody, coming here for a date? Sounds more like you're trying to snag a sugar daddy."

Another chimed in, "Her fiancé is supposed to be the famous Alistair White, so it's only natural for her to be here, right?"

He scanned the room with a smug grin, "But... where's this big celebrity, anyway?"

"Hahaha, I bet you've never even met him, yet you dare to claim to be his fiancée—such nerve!"

As the laughter continued, Ayra Castro intervened with feigned gentleness, "Come on, guys, let's not be too harsh. I’m sure my sister didn't mean to mislead us."

She turned to me with mock concern, "Sister, if you're really engaged, why not bring your fiancé to the Thanksgiving dinner three days from now? You wouldn't want people to keep misunderstanding, would you?"

"Exactly, if you're brave enough, bring Alistair White!" the others chimed in.

I scoffed, "Fine, I'll bring him, and we'll be there."

With that, I walked straight up to the second floor, ignoring the angry shouts from Kyle behind me, "I can't wait to see you try to get superstar Alistair White to go along with this!"

I didn't acknowledge him or look back as I continued upstairs.

Upon entering the VIP room, I found Alistair already waiting on the couch.

I told him about the Thanksgiving dinner, and without hesitation, he agreed to accompany me.