Chapter 21 An Eavesdropped Confession
68%
#Frished
“I can’t take your money.” A faint, mocking smile played on Naomi’s lips. “Because I like Shane too. I’m going to pursue him.”
“What?” Shirley looked up, meeting Naomi’s amused gare, and was completely dumbfounded.
Naomi, of course, did not actually like Shane. Their relationship was purely a business partnership, just as she had said. She was probably saying this but of spite, wanting to provoke Shirley and get back at her for the unnecessary trouble she had been dealing with these past few days.
But behind the rooftop door, Shane, who had been secretly eavesdropping, suddenly froze in place.
What? A girl as outstanding as Naomi liked me?
His heartbeat thundered in his chest, his ears buzzed, and a deep flush crept up his face, reaching the tips
of his cars.
Shane had to admit he felt a certain fondness for Naomi before today, but it was never at the level of true affection. Still, Naomi was undeniably brilliant. She was talented, attractive, and sharp. It was only natural to develop some feelings when you spend time together with her..
And if Naomi liked me, then I couldn’t possibly let her down, could I
The thought sent a strange warmth through him. Maybe, just maybe, he did like her too. With that realization, Shane pushed open the rooftop door and stepped out.
The sound immediately drew the attention of both Naomi and Shirley, who turned to stare at him, equally shocked.
Naomi felt an overwhelming urge to disappear on the spot.
Did he hear everything just now?
This was bad. A massive misunderstanding was about to unfold.
“Shirley, can you stop making trouble?” Shane’s voice cried a rare edge of irritation as he fixed her with a cold stare. “You bribed classmates to give Naomi a hard time; that alone warrants punishment.
“I’m making trouble? I’m making trouble?!” Shirley’s voice cracked with emotion. Tears welled up instantly as she trembled with rage. “Shane, who is your childhood sweetheart here? How can you keep defending that slut!”
“Shirley.” Shane’s expression darkened as he heard the insult, his voice dropping into an icy warning. “Til say this one last time. I will never like you. Stop deluding yourself, and stop clinging to me. This ‘childhood sweetheart‘ nonsense is nothing more than your own fantasy,”
His tone softened slightly as he turned toward Naomi. But Naomi is a good person. I like her, too. And if she wants to be with me, I’d be willing to accept it.”
Naomi nearly choked on air. A full–body cringe overtook her as she fought the overwhelming urge to slap her past self for speaking without thinking-
This misunderstanding was spiraling out of control. How was she supposed to explain to Shane that she
1/2
Chapter 21 An Eavesdropped Confession
Finished
“Shane, actually, I… Before she could get the words out Shirley’s sharp, trembling voice cut through the
air.
“Enough!” Tears streamed down her face as her entire body shook. “Shane, I get it now. Everything, all of it, was just my own wishful thinking. Even coming to Renia with you, I was just fooling myself.”
She let out a choked, bitter laugh. “I’ve been making a fool of myself for so long. From now on, no matter what I do, don’t interfere in my life anymore!”
Then, she turned and bolted down the stairs, her sobs echoing in the empty rooftop.
“Shirley!” Shane called after her, his voice sharp with urgency, but she was already disappearing from view.
Naomi let out a silent sigh and tried again. “Shane, what I was trying to say…”
“I know,” he interrupted, sighing heavily. “You want to ask about Shirley, don’t you? Shirley’s so–called childhood sweetheart nonsense, the supposed engagement, none of it was real. It was just my father and hers being close friends and them hoping for a marriage alliance. Shirley clung to that idea all on her
own.”
He continued. “To be honest, I’ve never liked the way she acts. If she wants something, she has to have it. If she sets her sights on something, she must come out on top, by any means necessary. Being ambitious. isn’t a bad thing. But she’ll go to any lengths to hurt others. If she can’t have something, she makes sure no one else can either.”
Naomi listened quietly, finally understanding why Shane had always kept his distance from Shirley. After years of seeing her hurt others in his name, he had probably long since grown tired of her games.
But what was more important was that she still had not managed to explain the biggest misunderstanding yet! The fact was that she did not actually like him!
“Shane, actually, I…”
For the third time, she was cut off.
Shane’s phone rang.
“What? An important meeting? Damn, check my messages! Alright, alright, I’ll be there right away!”
20
2/2
After Betrayal, I Chose Myself
