Chapter 2: Eavesdropping and Harsh Realities

I zipped up my suitcase, nerves humming, when I heard Derek’s voice in the stairwell. I froze at the stairwell, breath caught, the suitcase handle slick in my palm. He sounded smoother than a radio DJ, but way softer than he ever was with me:

"Lillian, don’t worry. I already got you on the standby list for the ticket. We can catch the last flight home right away. My friend said if we don’t leave now, it’ll get dangerous."

A sweet, familiar female voice—one that made my skin prickle—replied:

"But what about Aubrey? She won’t know I bought her ticket, will she?"

Derek’s laugh echoed, full of warmth that he’d never shown me:

"How could she? She’s gullible enough to believe me. She only has herself to blame. You’re just too sweet..."

His tone was honeyed and casual, but as I listened, my hands balled into fists and I dug my nails into my palm just to keep steady. My heart hammered against my ribcage like a warning siren.

Snarky chat bubbles scrolled by, like a Reddit thread roasting me in real time:

[The lead is such a jerk. The ex is so pitiful...]

[What do you know? That’s the whole appeal. No risk, no reward. The ex is just too naive.]

[Right, compared to a fool like her, I’d rather see the love interest survive.]

Every word burned. Now I was sure everything the comments said was true. I was just a background NPC in someone else’s love story. About to be sacrificed for their happy ending. Even my hard-won business was a prize waiting for them to collect.

Lost in that haze, Derek’s impatient call yanked me back:

"Aubrey, why aren’t you coming down? Didn’t we agree to buy gifts for Lillian?"