When My Scars Became His Weapon

Alice's POV

It was supposed to be a simple holiday break. Yet the school’s campus queen batted her lashes at my boyfriend, asking him to help adjust her lab data.

He knew perfectly well that if she got caught, she’d fail the class. But still, he sat beside her and guided her hand as she handled delicate equipment.

I was quietly recording the numbers when she suddenly “slipped” and knocked over the solution.

The sample, worth two million and tied to a national-level research project, was ruined in seconds.

Panicked, she dove straight into my boyfriend’s arms, trembling as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Sir… I didn’t mean to, I swear!”

He gently wiped her tears and, without hesitation, turned his cold gaze on me.

“Rewrite your lab report. You’ll take the blame.”

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he added, “She can’t have a mark on her record. You’ve already failed before anyway.”

For a moment, I froze. Then, to my own surprise, I laughed.

He really didn’t get it.

The precious sample she just destroyed was the core of his PhD project, which he spent five years of his life on.

The lab reeked of chemicals, sharp and bitter in the air. Smoke still curled up from the destroyed sample on the floor.

When I looked up, there she was, Chloe Savage, curled up in the arms of my boyfriend, Melvin Manning, sobbing like a child wronged by the whole world.

“Sir, I’m so sorry…” she whimpered, pouting her lips and blinking at him. “I really didn’t mean it… I was just so nervous… my hand slipped…”

Melvin rubbed her back, his voice dripping with sweetness. “It’s fine, it’s not your fault. I know it was an accident. Don’t be scared. I’m here.”

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.

Once upon a time, that gentle voice was meant for me.

I came from a wealthy family. My parents divorced early, but neither ever let me go without. When Melvin first pursued me, I knew his background wasn’t good, so I never made him spend a dime.

When he bought me milk tea, I topped up his meal card behind his back.

When he dreamed of grad school and studying abroad, I went straight to my father for funding and found him the best mentor.

He even once told me I was his “little sun,” the light in his dark world.

I thought I had found real love, so I didn’t care if he was drawn to my money or what.

Even his moments of insecurity, I protected them, afraid to hurt his pride.

So when did it all change?

Probably the moment Chloe appeared.

She was from the art department, with no business in our biochem lab, yet she always had excuses to stick around.

One day, it was, “I don’t understand this elective,” another time, “I’m curious about research.”

And Melvin?

At first, he kept her at arm’s length. Then, he started tutoring her patiently.

And now, they knew no boundaries at all!

I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to speak. Pointing at the ruined sample, I said firmly, “Melvin, do you even understand what this is? That was the core sample for a state-funded project worth two million! You don’t just shrug this off as an ‘accident.’”

Finally, his eyes left her face. He looked at me, cold and impatient. “Alice, why are you yelling? Chloe’s already shaken enough. Can’t you show some compassion?”

Compassion?

I almost laughed.

“She’s scared? Then what about me? I’m the one responsible for this report! Did you think about what happened to me? The data’s ruined, the project’s gone, and now you want me to take the fall? Why?”

“Because you’ve already failed before!” he shot back, as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world. “You already have a blemish on your record. One more won’t matter. But Chloe? She’s up for grad school. She can’t afford this!”

The words stabbed into me, sharp and merciless.

And why had I failed before?

It was because when he landed in the hospital with acute appendicitis, I stayed by his side for two weeks straight, missing the exam that mattered most!

Back then, he had clutched my hand, eyes red, whispering, “Alice, I’ll never let you down in this life.”

So this was his idea of “never letting me down.”

Just then, Chloe lifted her head from his chest, her big, teary eyes glistening as she looked at me.

“Alice, please don’t blame him. It’s all my fault. I was clumsy and dragged you both into this. Maybe I should… I should just go confess to the professor myself.”

She then shuffled toward the door, but her steps were slow as if the floor weighed her down.

“Chloe! Don’t be stupid!” Melvin grabbed her hand, his voice softer, more protective than ever. “If you confess, your future will be ruined!”