I was the belle of the school, good grades and all. But I wasn't the nerd they thought I was. I had been secretly dating my adopted brother's sworn enemy for three years.

Lucian Palma had a strong desire for intimacy, so I went along with him in unlocking countless places to make love.

He promised that he would marry me after graduation. Once he took over the family business from his wealthy father, he would make me the happiest woman alive.

I believed him, even indulging him in his kink of recording us sleeping together. Lucian assured me that those videos were for his eyes only, and that no one else would ever see them.

But then, I accidentally overheard a conversation between Lucian and his friends.

"Lucian, you had deliberately staged a hero saving the damsel in distress situation to make Nina Etienne fall for you, all just to get it back at your archnemesis, Aaron North. If he found out his little sister had been sleeping with you, wouldn't it kill him with rage?

"You've filmed hundreds of intimate videos, haven't you? When do you plan to release them? We'd love to see the nerd stripped bare under you."

I didn't confront him about this. Instead, I quietly walked away and agreed to meet the fiance my father had arranged for me.

My mind blanked when I heard the crowd bawl out in laughter.

"Aaron and Lucian had been archnemesis for so many years! Just because he's the heir to a famous Idalian gang, he thinks he can lord Lucian around! I can't wait to see his reaction when he sees the raunchy videos!"

Everyone was excited in the conversation without realizing someone was listening outside.

"Why so quiet, Lucian? You only got close to Nina to seek revenge on Aaron, right? Don't tell me you've fallen for her?"

"Fallen for her?" Lucian Palma, who had just called me 'Babe' a moment ago, snickered.

He added, "Aaron's my archnemesis; I want him dead. I was just thinking about the best time to show those videos."

Someone chimed in, "Why don't we do it at the graduation ball? Aaron will surely be there. I know it'll be glorious to see Aaron's reaction when he sees how freaky Nina is in bed."

Everyone was making noises in excitement and anticipation.

My mind was completely blank. I was baffled.

Did that mean that when Lucian rescued me back then, it was all part of a plan? He became my first boyfriend only to get back at Aaron?

If I had not heard their conversation today, I would still think Lucian loved me.

Just when I was about to break down, a wave of nausea overwhelmed me. I immediately ran to the toilet and heaved.

I sat on the toilet, unable to fathom the fact that everything between Lucian and I was just part of a scheme.

When I first heard of Lucian, I only knew him to be Aaron's enemy. I never thought he would have saved my life twice.

The first time, I was involved in a hit-and-run car accident. The perpetrator fled, leaving me in my pool of blood. It was Lucian passing by who saved me.

The second time, I was drugged and almost raped. It was he who appeared by my side and offered to be my antidote.

When I woke up the following day, he confessed his feelings to me and promised to take care of me.

From then on, we became an item. I always thought that we liked each other. I believed that because of me, Lucian and Aaron would become friends in the future. He had me wrapped around his finger this whole time like a fool!

At that moment, my phone beeped. It was a message from Lucian.

[Babe, you were amazing last night. I truly treasure the videos. I won't let anyone see.

[I have important matters to talk about with my friends. I didn't put on protection as we were out of condoms last night, so remember to take the after-morning pill.]

My mind was somehow extremely clear at that moment. Lucian clearly did not care about me enough to put on protection. He often found excuses not to put on one. He had always been lying to me!

At the thought of the sudden nausea I had a moment ago, I immediately went to get the after-morning pill and a pregnancy test kit.

I was not pregnant, luckily. I was only retching because Lucian's behavior disgusted me.

I quickly took the pill and wiped away my tears.

Then, I went home and fell asleep from the mental exhaustion. When I woke up the next morning, Lucian was still not home. I started calmly planning the things I needed to do before leaving.

I was going to throw away our matching couple things, move out, and delete our not-safe-for-work videos.

I remembered Lucian saying he was going to play the videos at our graduation ball. I had to delete them before that.

I drew a huge circle on the day of our graduation ball on the calendar.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I did not notice the person standing behind me.

"Did you circle it because you thought I'd forget?" said Lucian lazily from behind me, which made me jump. I accidentally drew a stroke on the calendar.

He came up to me and hugged me from behind, rubbing his cheeks against mine.

"The graduation ball is an important event. How could I forget about it? My first dance will surely be yours. I even prepared a huge surprise for you."

I broke off from his embrace and smiled a little. "I prepared a surprise for you, too."

Lucian did not notice my out-of-the-ordinary reaction. He patted me and said dotingly, "You and I think so much alike! By the way, will your brother come to your graduation ball?"

My heart skipped a beat.

As I gripped the corner of the table, I looked up and asked him calmly, "Do you want me to invite him? I thought you didn't like him?"

Lucian lowered his gaze to look at me with a complex emotion in his eyes. "He and I have been fighting each other for so many years. I don't want to accept defeat, but I have no choice. I've fallen for you."

I shut my eyes and took a deep breath, worried that tears might fall. Lucian was still lying to me. He only wanted Aaron there so he could play our intimate videos!

He seemed to be in a good mood. He hugged me around the waist as his hands wandered to my breasts. The atmosphere started to turn steamy.

I decided to give Lucian another chance.

"Must we record today?" I asked, my voice shaky. "I don't like it. I don't want to do it."

Lucian was a little stunned. He asked in confusion, "What happened? You always let me do it. You know that this is just a little kink of mine. Can't you let me have this? Don't worry, I won't let anyone see the videos."

Lucian was downright persuasive, sounding very much promising.

This was his go-to tactic; he would coax me softly with that voice of his. He even swore to God he would be punished if he ever betrayed me.

This was why I always caved into his requests.

Lucian thought that I would agree as before. He lowered his head and tried to kiss me, but I moved aside.

"I'm not feeling well today. Let's not do it."

He did not press on the matter and merely shrugged. "Okay, then rest well. I'm going to take a shower."

Hearing the sounds of the shower in the bathroom, I secretly picked up Lucian's phone. I was so nervous, my heart was pounding hard.

I tried entering his phone by keying in the passcode. After three failed attempts, I no longer dared to try.

I placed the phone back with trembling fingers, feeling helpless. I forced myself to stay calm.

The next morning, I started packing up the things I wanted to throw out.

When Lucian woke up, he asked in confusion, "Why are you throwing them out? I thought you liked our matching couple things?"

I continued packing without looking up. "I just don't like it anymore."

Lucian shrugged. "I told you before it's childish."

I no longer replied in the coquettish voice I usually did. I merely said, "We won't use them anymore."

However, Lucian was in a rush to head out, so he did not hear what I said.

After he left, I spent half a day clearing things out. Looking at the rather empty room, my heart ached.

Right at this moment, I received a message on my phone.

[This is Wendy Kensington, Lucian's fiancee. Let's meet this afternoon at 2 at Cafe Luna.]

I entered the cafe and looked around, immediately noticing her.

She was in an expensive dress, looking regal.

I sat down opposite her as she started, though with a tinge of annoyance, "I'm Lucian's fiancee, Wendy Kensington."

I nodded. "You've mentioned in your message. What's up?"

Wendy did not expect this reaction from me. She furrowed her brows. "You're his girlfriend. Aren't you surprised to find out he has a fiancee?"

I smirked self-deprecatingly. Ever since I found out that everything from Lucian was just a lie, I had given up on him. Any other information would just make me loathe him more.

I was no longer surprised at the things he did.

When she did not get the reaction she wanted, she hissed through gritted teeth, "Lucian and I have been promised to each other through a marriage of family alliance. We'll have our engagement party soon. No matter who you are, Lucian will break up with you. I'd advise you to leave him on your own. You'll save everyone the trouble."

I did not take the bait of Wendy's provocations. "When are you announcing the date of your engagement party?" I calmly asked.

Wendy looked mildly baffled. Then, she raised her chin and said smugly, "It'll be the beginning of next month. It'll depend on Lucian."

The beginning of next month was the graduation ball. It seemed like Lucian had planned everything. He intended to play our intimate videos at the graduation ball and dump me. Then, he would get engaged to Wendy.

A cruel man, no doubt about it.

I snickered. "If you're here to humiliate me, I'm sorry to disappoint you. Just a piece of advice, though: Lucian doesn't love anyone but himself. It's one thing to have a marriage of convenience. If you really fall in love with him, you'd lose."

Wendy's expression instantly turned ugly. I was just about to get up when she picked up her cup of coffee and splashed the coffee on me.

"How could you say that about Lucian?!"

I never expected that Wendy would get physical. I was caught off guard, drenched in coffee.

The hot coffee trickled down my hair and face, staining my clothes. I grabbed Wendy by the wrist, wanting to teach her a lesson, when right at this moment, someone kicked the cafe door open.

"Stop right there!" Lucian barked.

I did not know who he was calling out to. I turned around to see him entering with a few of his friends, striding over, looking extremely intimidating.

Lucian took off his shirt and put it around me, asking me softly if I was alright.

Wendy was so furious that she stomped her feet. "I'm your fiancee! How could you protect her instead!"

Lucian ignored her and continued to coax me, "Nina, go to the car. I'll handle this and be right over."

I held back my urge to hit Wendy and headed to the car. After all, Lucian and his friends were there, and I definitely could not overpower them.

Soon after, Lucian came out of the cafe. When he got in the car, he tenderly applied ointment to my burns.

"Nina, don't get me wrong. Wendy's engagement with me was arranged by our families. I only found out about it just now. When I heard that she came looking for you or trouble, I immediately came over."

He added, "I adore you, dearly. I'll never marry her."

His explanation was a little comical. I never knew what a great actor Lucian was.

Nonetheless, I did not want to alarm him, so I nodded silently as if I accepted his explanation.