I immediately tapped on the link. Sure enough, someone had posted about what happened in the elective class.

The comments section instantly buzzed with heated discussion.

"The one they're fighting over is obviously Elijah Sanders, the captain of the basketball team. She's obviously telling everyone it's him. The only thing she didn't say was his name."

"I remember Elijah has a girlfriend. How is this any different from trying to steal someone else's man? Does she think she's a big deal just because she studied abroad?"

"Wait, something's off. Didn't someone else get the exchange program spot last year? I don't think it was Jemima. I'm gonna check…"

My hand that was gripping the phone froze, and I narrowed my eyes.

Something had felt off in class just now. When I applied for the study abroad program, I had consulted many of my seniors who had gone before. I didn't remember there was anyone named Jemima Ford at all.

So, was she lying?

While I was lost in thought, the comments under the post had already bombarded.

Then, the feed refreshed. Jemima herself brazenly joined the thread.

"I just returned to the country, and I'm already on the forum. Guess my charm is irresistible. But let me warn you all—don't go dumping every bit of blame on me. Those two might not even end up getting married!"

After a pause, she continued typing rapidly, "Besides, how am I worse than Ivory? She's totally flat-chested and saggy all over. Who knows? Maybe she's even had a kid. Meanwhile, I've got a hot body, a car, and a house. In the dating scene, I absolutely crush her, okay?

"Just yesterday, a matchmaking agency contacted me and said they've arranged over ten blind dates for me this Saturday. They're practically begging me to show up. So, don't think I'm competing with other women. When one is good enough, no one can take what's yours!"

One outrageous comment after another appeared below.

I was so furious that I replied to her directly underneath, "Are you sick or something?"

Jemima replied right away, "Oh? You're triggered already? Think I'm eyeing your boyfriend?"

The mockery in Jemima's words was impossible to hide.

She went on, "What a pity. While you're busy defending him, he's carefully peeling grapes for me right now!"

Immediately after, an image was uploaded. When I opened it, it was unmistakably Elijah's face!

My mind went blank for a moment. The cold wind slipped in through the slightly open window, causing goosebumps to break out across my skin.

My trembling fingers zoomed in on the photo. The table was filled with seasonal fruits and seafood, and in the center sat a ten-inch cake. The icing on it was especially glaring to look at.

It read, "Welcome back, my favorite student!"

Tears slipped down without me realizing and splashed onto the back of my hand.

I knew that place well. It was Hannah's desk in her office. On the right side of the photo, you could even see her hand making a cheerful peace sign.

In the past, whenever I went to her office to help, she always gave me the cold shoulder. She never asked if I wanted snacks or turned on the air conditioner for me. Sometimes, she even acted as if I were air…

The stark contrast highlighted those unhappy memories in my mind again and again.

After a long while, I let out a bitter laugh and turned off the screen.

Raising my hand, I called out toward the waiter, "Hey, there's no need to wait anymore. Please serve the dishes."

Several bottles of alcohol were brought into the private room one after another. Messages popped up on my phone. They were birthday wishes from my friends. My parents' generous birthday allowance arrived right on time, along with a few extra words of concern.

They texted, "Ivy, have you really decided to go abroad with Eli? Before you leave, could you come back and visit us? We miss you so much."

My hand that was lifting the wine glass to my lips froze.

The next second, tears fell without warning.

At that moment, I finally realized just how much I had invested in this relationship. Elijah was the one who wanted to go abroad and build a career. I was the one who painstakingly researched which was the best institution and prepared all the application materials.

But in Hannah's eyes, I had become the culprit who lured her son away and caused their separation.

In the past, I put up with it time and again. But now, I couldn't take it anymore!

With a sharp rip, I tore apart that application form that I had so carefully kept.

It was as if fate were giving me a sign. In the next second, bright fireworks burst right outside the window, celebrating my rebirth.

Midnight passed uneventfully after that. My phone screen never lit up again.

It wasn't until 3:00 am that my phone finally vibrated.

A drunken voice message from Elijah came through. "Sorry, Ivy… My mom asked me to attend… a homecoming dinner today. I figured since… we're going to settle abroad together, I should spend more time with her…"

In the silent night, Elijah's slurred explanation sounded over and over as I replayed it again and again.

After a long time, I sent a voice message of my own in a quiet voice. "Let's break up, Elijah. Since Hannah likes Jemima so much, you can go abroad with her instead."

After saying that, I turned off my phone.

When I turned it back on the next day, dozens of missed calls from Elijah popped up. The flood of messages that poured in indicated how anxious he was.

"Ivy, listen to me. I didn't know about your argument with Jemima.

"I only peeled those grapes because Mom asked me to. I just did it since I was peeling some for myself. Don't get mad at me over something so small."

Something small?

My finger that was scrolling down paused, and I let out a scoff.

Throughout my relationship with Elijah, he had never done even such a small thing for me. For three years, I had always been the one chasing after him. Our relationship only progressed because of my efforts.

Now, I didn't want any of it anymore!

The moment I looked down, my phone rang again. This time, it was a video call.

With a light swipe, Elijah's flustered voice and face came through. "Ivy, didn't we agree to go abroad together? We've been together for so long. We're so used to having each other in our lives. How can we just…"

A shadow fell over me.

Elijah was holding his phone as he ran right up to me. My body was yanked forward with force. His warm breath brushed against my ear. It was strangely ticklish.

"Don't be mad, okay? It's all my fault," he said.

I didn't speak.

I had dated him for three years. So, I'd be lying if I said I didn't care in the slightest. But more than anything, I refused to put up with the unfair treatment I'd been shown.

Bitterness and resentment surged in my heart. Why should I let Jemima, an outsider, disrupt my life plans? She boldly declared her interest in my boyfriend and belittled me like I was nothing.

I should let her, as well as Hannah, have a taste of their own medicine.

Taking a deep breath, I reached out and hugged Elijah back. My fingers brushed over his lean waist as I forced a smile.

I proposed, "Elijah, move out and live on your own. Let's rent a place off-campus first. I need to know that you're really determined to be independent. If you can't even handle moving out of the dorm, how am I supposed to believe you can settle down abroad?"

The moment I said this, Elijah froze.

Then, he frowned hard with a troubled expression on his face. "That's not a very good idea, is it? Ivory, you know my mom's faculty housing is close to my dorm. I want to spend more time with her before we leave. Besides, I've promised to go shopping with her this Saturday…"

His hypocritical excuses disappointed me and made my blood run cold.

"Then, forget it. Let's cool off for a while," I said decisively.

Too tired to argue, I turned and walked away.

Elijah was left standing there. His expression soured, and he seemed a little frustrated.

For the next few days, the two of us behaved like a typical couple who were giving each other the silent treatment. He still waited downstairs at my dorm to deliver breakfast as usual. However, he did it with a long face.

Going about life in such a suffocating atmosphere drained most of my energy. But at the same time, I was secretly investigating Jemima.

After going through all her social media posts, I realized she hadn't gone abroad through our college's exchange program at all. She had paid to go overseas. And in her posts from a few years ago, there were even photos of her marriage certificate.

Her most recent post read, "My last relationship was a complete disaster. Thankfully, it's over now. There's no way an attractive woman like me can't find true love after returning home!"

I frowned hard for a moment before scoffing in exasperation.

No wonder Jemima rushed straight to matchmaking agencies after coming back. She wanted to prove that she still had the allure, even as a divorced woman!

The bitterness in my heart gradually faded, but it was replaced by boundless resentment.

If I remembered correctly, Jemima's blind dates were set for Saturday.

Saturday… What a coincidence! If I wasn't mistaken, the study abroad application deadline was also on that day. It seemed like everything was happening all at once.

A cold, bitter smile played on my lips.

I wanted to see if Hannah and Elijah could truly handle a woman like Jemima.

On Saturday afternoon, I sat in a corner of a cafe.

Half an hour later, Jemima pushed the door open and stepped in. She was wearing heavy makeup. Dressed in a gray suit and kitten heels, she clicked her way over to a table and sat down.

As the scent of her perfume drifted into my nose, I spotted Hannah sneaking in through the door.

She was applying hair gel onto Elijah and whispering, "Eli, let's stay here and listen carefully to Jemima's background when she talks to her dates. We have to find out how rich she really is. Maybe after she meets a few men, she'll realize you're still the best."

Elijah looked visibly embarrassed at Hannah's blatant and bossy attempt to push him toward Jemima. He said, "Mom, can you stop interfering with matters like these…"

Although he complained, his hands never once stopped working on his hair.

I watched the scene unfold from the side, but everything I saw didn't stir even the slightest ripple in my heart.

Everything would end today.

Maybe I would ultimately play matchmaker and help them end up together.

A loud commotion suddenly came from the front. For some reason, scalding coffee had splashed onto Jemima. Startled, she instinctively lifted and fanned her shirt in an attempt to dry it.

The man sitting across from her smirked and started getting handsy. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I spilled it on your chest. Let me wipe it for you…"

"Get lost!" Jemima yanked her clothes back down in a flash.

Then, she grabbed the cup of hot coffee in front of her and splashed it back at her date. "You bastard! How dare you splash coffee on me? I'll return the favor! Take a good look at yourself! Do you really think you're worthy of someone as charming as me?"

Coffee ran down the side of his temple. Enraged, he immediately raised his fists and retorted, "Hey, what's wrong with you? It was just an accident! Was it necessary for you to react like this?"

Just then, Hannah, who had been hiding nearby, shoved Elijah hard.

Her muttering was loud enough for even me to hear. "Hurry up and be the hero. If you play it well, the car and house will all be yours!"

Elijah staggered forward from her strong push.

Left with no choice, he stepped in front of Jemima and defended her. "What are you doing, man? I saw you getting handsy just now!"

"Just you wait. I'll get someone to deal with you!" yelled Jemima's blind date.

Looking at Elijah's tall and imposing figure, the man cursed under his breath and decided it was wiser for him to leave.

A romantic atmosphere began to form after the hero saved the damsel in distress.

Just as Elijah and Jemima were about to start a conversation, I dialed his number.

I said, "Hey, didn't you want to get back together? Come see me, and I'll think about it."