Chapter 3: Roommate War: When Truth Hurts

The next afternoon.

Mallory stumbled out of her room, half asleep. When she saw the man on the sofa, her eyes almost popped out.

“Ryan? What are you doing here?!”

I sat next to Ryan, taking the orange he peeled for me.

“Hey, Mallory, you know my boyfriend? Great, saves me the trouble of introducing you.”

“Baby, this is my roommate, Mallory.”

Ryan nodded at Mallory, barely glancing at her before focusing on peeling more oranges for me.

Mallory was clearly in shock.

“You two... when did you get together?”

I nudged Ryan, my mouth full of orange, signaling him to answer.

Without looking up, Ryan replied,

“Over a year ago.”

Mallory started crying.

Tears streamed down her face—she looked so pitiful.

She sobbed,

“Baby, I’m your girlfriend!”

This time, Ryan finally looked at her, frowned, and then glanced at me in confusion.

I stayed calm and smiled.

“My roommate likes role-playing. Yesterday she was Neymar’s little wifey.” (Mallory’s got a thing for famous athletes, what can I say?)

Ryan nodded, his tone tinged with obvious distaste.

“She can act for someone else. I can’t stand it.”

I had to think of every sad thing in my life to keep from bursting out laughing.

“Okay,” I managed, my voice cracking.

Mallory cried even harder, looking at me like she wanted to kill me. If looks could kill, I’d be dead a hundred times over.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up with an idea.

“I’m really Vivi. Can’t you tell by my voice?”

She even demonstrated her classic line:

“Baby, good night. Love me even more tomorrow~”

Her voice was so saccharine, it gave me goosebumps.

But Ryan didn’t play along. He clicked his tongue impatiently.

“Are you done yet?”

Mallory froze, tears streaming down again.

“Baby, I—”

I cut her off.

“That’s enough, Mallory. My boyfriend is handsome, rich, gentle, and considerate, but he’s already taken. Even if you like him, you can’t just steal him right in front of me.”

I sounded so aggrieved, playing the part of the bullied roommate perfectly.

Mallory raised her voice.

“Who’s stealing from who—”

“Baby, the movie’s about to start. Let’s go.”

Ryan suddenly stood up, his voice so cold it could freeze the room.

I pretended to be upset and nodded, taking his hand as we left.

As we passed Mallory, Ryan sped up like she was contagious.

“Baby, have you thought about moving?”

I looked away from the window and saw Ryan was furious.

Clearly, Mallory had really disgusted him.

I couldn’t imagine what he’d do if he knew Mallory’s claims were true.

I answered honestly,

“I have. My lease is up in two months. Then I’ll move.”

Ryan steered with one hand, his profile sharp as a sculpture.

“I have an empty apartment on Lincoln Avenue. I’ll put it in your name. I don’t feel comfortable with you living with someone like her.”

My eyes widened in shock.

No wonder Mallory wouldn’t let go of Ryan.

He was really loaded! Just giving away an apartment in such a prime area?

I quickly waved him off.

“No, that’s not necessary.”

...

After the movie, it was already late.

I walked home, feeling light on my feet.

I opened the door—still pitch black, like no one was home.

As I fumbled for my bedroom key, a creepy female voice sounded behind me.

“You’re back?”

“Jeez! Why do you walk so quietly?!”

My heart raced—I nearly threw my bag at Mallory’s face.

She stood there in the dark, staring at me so intently it made my skin crawl.

“You must be really proud, making me look bad in front of Ryan.”

I snorted.

“Not really. That was just his natural reaction.”

Just thinking about it made me feel great.

Sometimes, the quiet kind of revenge is the best.

She claimed to be Ryan’s girlfriend? Let her see how little she measures up!

I kept looking for my key.

Suddenly, she grabbed my shoulder and slapped me across the face, shrieking,

“Kelsey, I never realized how shameless you are!”

“You always act so pure, but the moment a rich guy comes along, you throw yourself at him. Aren’t you afraid of karma?”

I was stunned.

I’d never been slapped in my life.

The sting wasn’t as bad as the humiliation.

I kicked Mallory in the stomach, quick and hard, knocking her to the floor.

Grabbing her collar, I said clearly,

“Mallory, have I been too easy on you?”

“You used my photos to scam so many people. If you’re not afraid of karma, why should I be?”

“And telling Tyler about ‘raising a cat together’—go raise a cactus, why don’t you?”

Saying it made me remember Tyler’s red eyes and crushed expression, and my hatred for Mallory only grew.

She was mortified, clawing at my face.

I wasn’t quick enough—she scratched me, leaving a long, bloody mark.

Seeing my face scratched, Mallory grinned triumphantly and lunged at me again.

I smirked coldly.

If I let her get away with it again, I’d be a fool.

I dodged, pinned her arms with my knees, and slapped her face over and over.

Mallory screamed,

“Kelsey, you bitch, why don’t you just die!”

I said nothing, putting all my strength into hitting her.

I don’t know how long it lasted.

I was exhausted. She was too weak to yell, just muttering,

“I’ll make you pay... I’ll make you pay...”

I laughed, patting her bruised face.

“I’ll be waiting. You have one day to move out, or I’ll beat you every day.”

With that, I walked to my room and slammed the door.

Mallory moved out, quietly and without a trace.

When I got home the next day, her room was empty.

Good riddance.

Because of the scratches on my face, I didn’t feel like going out, so I stayed home to heal and think about my relationship with Ryan.

Ryan was the perfect man—gentlemanly, smart, handsome, rich...

But I never forgot that I only got together with him to spite Mallory. So I always felt a little guilty, and after a few days, I was exhausted.

Plus, I kept thinking Ryan didn’t really like me.

He’d been online dating Mallory for a year, calling each other “baby,” saying good morning and good night.

That meant he liked “my photos” and “Mallory’s texting style.”

So really, he liked neither of us.

If we kept dating, wouldn’t I get dumped once the truth came out?

Sigh.