I realized it was the third day since I fainted, and the content of that book was fresh in my mind.

I knew today was the day of their first meeting, and I was supposed to go to the library with Yates, where Linda would bump into us from behind.

So, I felt restless all day. Even though I thought the book was ridiculous, I couldn't shake off the anxiety.

"Gina, are you feeling unwell? If so, we can go tomorrow instead. Let me take you home first."

Yates said with a concerned look on his face as he started to get up.

I quickly grabbed his arm and said, "Yates, don't go. Let's just stay here for now and go out later tonight."

Yates furrowed his brow in confusion as he glanced at me but didn't say anything.

He then pulled a painkiller from his pocket and took my cup.

"Is it your time of the month? You always overeat and end up with a stomachache. Let me go get you a cup of hot water. You wait here."

Seeing Yates's actions warmed my heart, and I wondered if he might have feelings for me.

He remembered my menstrual cycle, carried painkillers with him, and knew my birthday and my preferences.

When I was home alone and woke up in the middle of the night from the thunder, Yates even rushed over with an umbrella.

If Yates and Linda didn't meet this time, then the book would be fake, and I would confess my feelings.

I made up my mind at that moment, feeling a bit nervous, but when I turned my gaze, all that remained in my heart was despair.

The female lead still appeared, and even though we hadn't gone out, they still ended up meeting.

Yates had prepared a cup of water for me, but it spilled all over Linda.

Linda was soaked, looking at Yates with her innocent eyes, tears welling up as she silently gazed into his.

To my surprise, Yates stood there, dazed, captivated by her gaze.

Seeing the two of them looking at each other so affectionately, I couldn't hold back any longer. I rushed forward and pulled Yates behind me.

"I'm sorry! Yates didn't mean to do that. Here's the dry cleaning fee. I'm really sorry, but we have to go now."

I tugged at Yates to leave, but to my shock, Linda's words made him drop my hand.

Linda gently tugged at Yates's shirt and timidly said, "Um, it's okay. You can take the money back. I can wash it. It's just... my clothes are a bit see-through. Could you lend me your shirt?"

I looked at Yates in a panic and hurriedly took off my own shirt to give to her, but Yates stopped me.

"Gina, you're not feeling well. Don't catch a cold. Just use my shirt. I'll take her home."

As he said this, he released my hand, took off his jacket, draped it over Linda, and then walked away with her.

That day, as I watched them walk away, my nose felt sour, and my eyes instantly filled with tears. I quickly lowered my head to let them fall.

Could it be that the book is real? Do we really have no future?

I've liked him for so many years. Just because I'm not the female lead, does that mean I don't deserve to be with him?

No, I don't want to give up. I won't admit defeat before they get together.

Later, I started to avoid every scene from the book.

Today was the day Linda would be bullied, so I had already taken a leave of absence and locked myself in my room. After all, I was about to graduate and didn't have any classes left.

Maybe if I just stayed inside, nothing would happen.

"Yates, it wasn't me, really! I didn't get anyone to humiliate her. We grew up together—don't you believe me?"

I desperately grabbed Yates' hand, looking at Linda, who was crying beside me, feeling a wave of despair wash over me.

I was confused. Why did this happen when I had already locked myself away at home?

Yates stepped forward and comfortingly patted Linda's back, pulling her into his arms.

He looked a bit skeptical, but perhaps because of our years of friendship, he still chose to believe me.

"Linda, Gina might have been framed. We've known each other since childhood, and I know she wouldn't do something like this. Don't worry, I'll find out who's behind it and give you an explanation!"

Hearing his words, I felt a sense of relief. Although I couldn't escape this situation, at least Yates believed in me.

I glanced at them hugging, but the sour feelings in my heart wouldn't go away.

Linda wiped her tears, forced a smile, and walked over to me.

"Gina, I believe you didn't do it. Honestly, I've always envied you. You have such a great family and loving parents, and Yates dotes on you. Unlike me, I was abandoned by my parents when I was little, and I'm still bullied by others. Can I call you sister? That way, I won't feel so alone anymore."

As she spoke, she leaned in and hugged me, surprising me with her sudden closeness.

Just a few days ago, whenever I got near her, something bad would happen, leading to several arguments between Yates and me.

Thinking about this, I quickly pushed her away.

She let out a small gasp, clutching her arm tightly, and looked at Yates with tears in her eyes.

Yates' gaze never left her. Hearing her cry out in pain, he rushed over to her in a few quick steps.

He gently took her arm and blew on it, his eyes filled with concern. Then, he turned to me with a cold look.

I shook my head repeatedly, desperate to explain, but he ignored me and left with Linda in his arms.

Linda snuggled up to him shyly, and through his embrace, she gave me a gentle smile.

For some reason, I could see a hint of smugness in her eyes.

It had only been seven days since Yates met Linda, yet I never imagined they would fall head over heels for each other so quickly.

Just a week felt like it outweighed the more than twenty years Yates and I had known each other.

That evening, I sat silently on the couch, staring at their official relationship announcement on social media.

It felt like a piece of my heart was missing; the pain was there, but I couldn't fully process it, just a sense of confusion and numbness.

I had liked him for years, and I'd finally mustered the courage to confess my feelings to him.

But as soon as Linda came into the picture, she stole his attention away. Is this what it means to be the female lead in a story?

My mom walked over with concern, wrapping me in a hug and gently patting my shoulder.

"Gina, some things we just can't force. I knows you like Yates, but he has a girlfriend now. You should try to move on. If you're feeling hurt, your dad and I are worried about you too."

My dad joined us, ruffling my hair affectionately.

"There are plenty of great guys out there, better than Yates. I'll introduce you to a few. Once you've sorted out your feelings, you can meet them. Our Gina is so amazing; it's his loss that he couldn't end up with my daughter."

Looking at my parents' caring expressions, my suddenly cold heart felt a bit warmer.

Yates has a girlfriend now; even though I've always liked him, what good does it do me?

I tried so hard; I did everything in my power to avoid the misunderstandings from the book, yet they still happened. In just seven days, they were together.

Can I really not change the outcome, no matter what I do?

Thinking about the ending, I suddenly remembered the big fire from the book, and my heart couldn't help but feel anxious.

"Mom, Dad, let's go abroad for a while. I need to get away and clear my head."

If I escape to another country, could anything still happen there?