Chapter 2

Stella's POV

Library, 3 PM

I sat at a corner table, anatomy textbook in hand, but the words on the pages refused to register in my mind.

Last night's madness with Jax kept replaying in my head like a broken record.

Stella, what the hell are you doing? Sleeping with your boyfriend's roommate?

My phone buzzed, interrupting my spiraling thoughts. A message from Jax: "Are you okay? After last night... I'm worried about you."

I stared at the screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard, heart pounding.

No, this is insane. I can't keep betraying Alexander.

Taking a deep breath, I quickly typed back: "We shouldn't have... I need time to think."

After sending the message, I rubbed my temples hard, trying to clear my head. I couldn't keep spiraling like this.

Alexander had gone to the bookshelf for reference materials, leaving his forgotten phone on the table.

The screen suddenly lit up with notifications from a fraternity group chat.

Group Chat: Kappa Alpha Future Elite

• Michael_KA: "Alex, heard you're pursuing Madison?"

• Alexander: "She's really special, ambitious and visionary"

My heart felt like it had been struck by a sledgehammer.

Glancing around to make sure Alexander hadn't returned, I couldn't resist opening the chat history.

• David_KA: "Whitmore family heiress, good choice"

• Alexander: "Madison truly understands my ambitions, she gets the price of success"

• Michael_KA: "She's been finding you for 'study sessions' a lot lately, interesting"

• Alexander: "Madison's business mind fascinates me, with her I can see a future"

Each word cut through my heart like a knife. I kept scrolling:

• Alexander: "Spent until 2 AM last night discussing merger strategies with Madison, her insights always amaze me"

2 AM last night? That was exactly when I was suffering through my heat cycle, and he was "discussing strategies" with that woman?

Then I saw the most devastating message:

• Michael_KA: "What about your Mexican girlfriend?"

• Alexander: "Just a childhood friend, nothing special. Her heat cycles always hit at the worst times, such a hassle"

Just a childhood friend? A hassle?

My hands began shaking violently, tears blurring my vision. Three years of relationship, and this is how little I meant to him?

"Stella? Why are you looking at my phone?"

Alexander's voice came from behind me, filled with obvious anger. I frantically let go of the phone, but it was too late.

He strode over quickly, face pale with fury as he snatched up his phone. "You have NO RIGHT to look at my private messages!"

"Private messages?" I stood up, voice trembling. "You told the group I'm just a childhood friend? That my heat cycles are a hassle?"

Alexander's face went white instantly, but he quickly regained composure. "That was just... guy talk, don't take it seriously."

"Guy talk?" My emotions began spiraling out of control. "Your praise for Madison was guy talk too? You said she shows you a future!"

"Stella, CALM DOWN!" Alexander looked around, clearly caring about others watching. "This is a library, can you please not make a scene?"

"Make a scene?" I almost laughed. "I ask you a few questions and I'm making a scene? What do you call staying up until 2 AM chatting with Madison?"

"That was academic discussion!" Alexander's voice started rising too. "We were researching investment strategies, what would you understand?"

"I wouldn't understand?" Tears began falling. "So I deserve to be treated like a burden because I don't understand?"

Just then, a sickeningly sweet voice called from across the room. "Alex? I found that Investment Psychology book!"

Madison Whitmore glided toward us, carrying a thick book. She wore a tailored Chanel suit, blonde hair perfectly styled in an updo.

Seeing my red, swollen eyes, she asked with fake concern, "What's wrong? Are you two fighting?"

"Nothing," Alexander immediately switched to a gentle expression. "Just a small misunderstanding. Madison, thanks for finding that book."

"No problem, we're partners after all," Madison's gaze shifted between me and Alexander, then she said with feigned surprise, "Stella looks upset, did I interrupt something?"

"No interruption," Alexander said uncomfortably. "We just finished discussing."

"Finished discussing?" I laughed coldly. "Right, I wouldn't understand your high-level discussions anyway."

Madison moved closer to Alexander, touching his arm lightly. "Alex looks stressed, maybe we should find a quieter place to continue studying?"

"Good idea," Alexander nodded, then looked at me with disgust. "Stella, you should learn to control your emotions. Not everyone will tolerate this kind of unreasonable behavior."

"Unreasonable?" My voice turned shrill. "I see you calling me a burden in your group chat, and questioning you is unreasonable?"

"You had no right to snoop through my phone!" Alexander finally exploded. "And I was telling the TRUTH! Your heat cycles ARE inconvenient, always hitting at the worst times! Madison would never put this kind of pressure on me!"

Those words hit me like a slap across the face. Students around us were staring and whispering.

Madison chimed in perfectly, "Maybe we shouldn't discuss such... personal matters here. Alex, let's go to my private study room, it's quieter there."

She deliberately emphasized "personal matters," her eyes gleaming with superiority.

"Wait," I walked up to Madison, rage making me reckless. "Who the hell do you think you are? Constantly trying to break us up?"

Madison smiled sweetly. "Stella, I think you're misunderstanding something. Alex and I are just academic partners. We discuss business strategies—not everyone can understand such high-level content."

"High-level content?" I was furious now. "Your little schemes are high-level?"

"ENOUGH!" Alexander shot up, face flushed red. "Stella, you're out of line! Madison is the fraternity president's daughter, she's doing me an honor by working with me! What right do you have to question her?"

"I'm your GIRLFRIEND!" I screamed. "What right do I have? I'M YOUR GIRLFRIEND OF THREE YEARS!"

"Girlfriend?" Alexander sneered. "A girlfriend who doesn't support my career plans and only clings to me during heat cycles?"

Those words completely destroyed me. I stared at Alexander, this man who had grown up with me, now looking at me with nothing but disgust and impatience.

Madison added fuel to the fire, "Stella, I understand your jealousy, but some people just aren't suited for certain social levels. Maybe you should find a boyfriend more... appropriate for your background? Like those—"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" I couldn't take it anymore and lunged toward Madison.

Alexander immediately stepped between us. "Stella! Are you INSANE?"

"YES, I'm insane!" Tears streamed down my face. "YOU TWO drove me insane!"

I turned and ran out of the library, hearing Alexander's irritated voice behind me. "Jesus Christ, Madison, let's go. She's always this emotional."

Outside, rain began falling, heavy drops pelting my body. I walked aimlessly, tears mixing with rainwater.

My phone buzzed. A message from Alexander: "Stop throwing a tantrum. Madison said she can introduce you to some veterinary students, maybe you'll find more suitable... company."

Seeing that message, I almost smashed my phone on the ground. Even now, he wanted Madison to "help" me?

The rain grew heavier. Just as I was soaked and shivering, a familiar voice called from behind.

"Stella?"