Chapter 122 Strike Back
I was so mad, I slapped her without thinking. "Zoe, I'm warning you. Talk trash about me again, and I'll tear you apart. I didn't do what you think, so there's nothing to confess. If you don't want to embarrass yourself, apologize now!"
Even though I slapped her in a rage, I used all my strength, making my hand tingle.
For twenty-two years, I was the well-behaved, gentle Jane. This was the first time I hit someone.
Zoe pushed me too far; otherwise, I wouldn't have done it.
I have to admit, slapping an enemy felt incredibly satisfying.
Zoe didn't expect me to hit back so hard. She covered her face, tears in her eyes, glaring at me in shock and anger.
I hid my hand behind my back, clenching it, trying to stay composed.
"You dare to hit me?" Zoe's voice trembled.
"I hit you because you framed me. If I don't, you won't learn," I snapped back.
She didn't care about my dignity when she attacked me, so why should I spare her?
Zoe lowered her hand, her jaw clenched. Even in the dim light, the red mark on her face was clear.
Her eyes filled with hatred as she gritted her teeth. "Jane, just you wait."
I watched her run away, her words echoing in my mind, sending chills down my spine.
'With Zoe's personality, what's next? Gossip? Headlines? Online bullying?' I wondered.
Zoe was right about one thing: people should be responsible for their actions. I did hit her, but only because she was causing trouble. If there were consequences, I'd take full responsibility.
I turned to go back inside, and I heard Brad's soft laugh behind me.
His voice was deep and husky, "Besides singing well, playing the guitar beautifully, and running fast, you're also not easy to bully. Jane, you really surprised me."
Brad had silently reappeared, clearly seeing the whole confrontation.
It was my first time acting out, and Brad, who once confessed to me, saw it. I was mortified.
No girl wants to embarrass herself in front of the guy she likes.
To me, his words didn't sound like a compliment but carried another meaning.
Especially "surprised me" sounded sarcastic, with a hint of mockery.
I retorted, "I just hate her, so what? Is that not allowed? I've hated her since the day I met her, is that not okay? If she messes with me because of Daniel again, I'll hit her again."
I didn't know which of my words was wrong, but Brad's smile faded, replaced by a look of melancholy. "Do you really like Daniel that much? You can't forget him after all these years, and you're willing to be enemies with Zoe for him?"
Unexpectedly, I saw deep sadness in Brad.
But why would Brad think that way? It was strange.
None of what I said had anything to do with not being able to forget Daniel.
I forgot about running away from him and didn't want to analyze his words. Anger made me focus on getting an explanation for myself.
"Don't change the subject. You broke the promise first, and now you're accusing me of liking someone else. Do all the Pitts think I'm a pushover? One after another, you all come to mess with me. You broke the promise and didn't admit it, fine, I can let that go. But you still want to turn the tables on me. If you have a girlfriend, just own up to it. I won't do anything to you. Do you have to lie to me? You can do it, but you can't admit it?" I yelled, my eyes tearing up.
Brad was always so put-together and elegant, while I just embarrassed myself in front of him. It was humiliating.
And the words I said—what kind of words were those? Even an emotional idiot like me could sense the jealousy. How could Brad not hear it?
I was thinking about running away again when Brad quickly grabbed my shoulder, his brows furrowed. "What girlfriend?" he asked, puzzled.
A simple sentence brought tears to my eyes.
I pinched my thigh, hating myself for being so weak.
'Why am I crying? He broke the promise, so why am I the one crying?' The more I thought about it, the more wronged I felt. 'We agreed to wait for my decision, so why did he break the promise? It's his fault, yet he's questioning me. Why? Fine, if you're going to play dumb, I'll enlighten you.'
I straightened up. "I saw your post. Since you've already found someone you're waiting for, I'm out. I can focus on my painting."
The melancholy in Brad's eyes faded, replaced by a hint of a smile. He reached out to rub my neck, but I dodged angrily.
'He already has someone he likes, so he can go rub her neck. Why rub mine? Taking advantage of me? I won't let you,' I thought.
I slung my guitar over my shoulder, crossed my arms, and raised my chin, trying to look casual.
"Do you care so much about that post?" He mimicked my posture, crossing his arms, and the smile in his eyes seemed almost uncontrollable.
His amusement made me angrier. Because of that post, I couldn't eat or sleep well, but he was still smiling!
"It's not about whether I care or not. The point is, you asked me to consider making you my boyfriend while confessing to another girl. That's a slap in my face. You're two-timing, and I question your integrity as a teacher. It's completely unfair to me," I shouted.
Brad explained, "I don't have a girlfriend. I can explain about the post. That girl is Wendy Pitt."
"Don't say anything," I put my hands up to stop him. "I don't want to hear your stories. Do whatever you want; it has nothing to do with me. From now on, don't come looking for me, and I won't look for you. We'll interact like I do with Daniel. I appreciate the care you gave me in the past. If you need anything from me, I won't refuse. That's it, goodbye."
Hearing another girl's name from Brad only made me more jealous. Ignoring his attempts to stop me, I ran into the apartment, shutting him and his unfinished words outside.
Brad said a few more things behind me, but I was too upset to hear them.
I was still too cowardly to hear the answer, so I ran away.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
