It was a video from Flynn.

In the clip, he and Laica were dining together, chatting and laughing as though nothing else in the world existed.

The ten-second video was enough to tear my heart apart.

[Get some rest early tonight. Don’t wait up for me.]

I stared at his message and smiled bitterly.

At that moment, I made up my mind—it was time to end this farce.

“Miss Livia, a toast to you.”

I snapped out of my senses when I heard his words. The eldest son of the Myers family, Javier, raised his glass with a sincere smile in his eyes.

I returned the gesture with a faint smile, clinking my glass lightly against his.

It hadn’t been long since I left the principal’s office when the Myers family sent over their invitation.

I knew this was my father paving the way for me, but the real reason I agreed to meet Javier was because of a conversation I overheard that night.

That evening, Flynn had been drunk and was brought back to his office by his assistant.

I brought him sobering soup, only to stop dead in my tracks at the sound of voices inside.

“Flynn, did you get back together with Laica?”

“She asked to reconcile as soon as she returned, and of course, I agreed. I’ve waited long enough these past three years.”

“And what about your sister? Livia?”

My heart leapt to my throat, and I clenched the thermos so tightly that my knuckles turned white.

“What else? I’m tired of her. Besides, I’ve already achieved what I set out to do—annoying the old man was the whole point.”

The thermos slipped from my hands, crashing to the floor with a loud clatter.

The noise startled the people inside.

I turned and fled, tears blurring my vision.

So this was the truth from the very beginning—I was nothing more than a pawn in his revenge against my father.

He hated his father for still loving my mother, and this was how he chose to hurt me.

“Miss Livia, are you alright?” Javier’s concerned voice pulled me back to reality.

I shook my head and forced a smile. “I’m fine, just a little tired.”

Barely had the words left my mouth when my phone vibrated again.

It was Flynn.

I glanced at the time—it was already ten o’clock. By now, his date with Laica should have ended.

[Where are you?]

Just two words, yet laced with a cold menace.

I ignored the message and continued listening to Javier talk about his experiences abroad.

One call after another came in, and I declined each one.

“I’m going to the restroom,” I said to Javier before getting up.

The moment I pushed open the restroom door, a strong hand yanked me inside.

Flynn’s face was dark as he pressed me against the wall. “Enjoying your date with the Myers family heir?”

The heavy scent of alcohol clung to him, mingled with a faint trace of perfume—Laica’s perfume.

“Professor Stewart, have you had too much to drink?

“You wouldn’t want to keep Miss Smith waiting.” I curled my lips into a mocking smile.

“Stop acting all high and mighty!” He grabbed my throat, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Eager to find someone new already?”

I shoved him away with all my strength. “And what right do you have to question me?

“We were never anything more than a fleeting affair.” As soon as the words left my mouth, a stinging slap landed on my cheek.

Pain flared, sharp and searing.

“Say that again?” His eyes burned with rage.

“I said, we were nothing but mutual convenience. You know it better than anyone. I was just your tool for revenge against your father.”

His expression shifted, darkening and twisting until he finally let out a cold laugh. “Since you’re so clear about it, I won’t bother explaining. But remember this, Livia—until I give my permission, don’t even think about marrying someone else.”

With that, he released me and stormed off, leaving me alone to slide down the wall, silent tears streaming down my face.

I looked at my swollen, red cheek in the mirror and suddenly laughed.

Taking out my phone, I sent my father a message. [Dad, I’ve decided to agree to the marriage with the Myers family.]

The next day, when I went to school, my father called me to his office.

"Livia, are you sure?" My father stood by the window in his office, his tone full of affection.

"Yes, I’ve thought it through." My voice was calm—a hard-earned calmness forged through a night of tears.

He sighed and gently patted my head. "Good girl. I’m sorry for all the hardships you’ve endured over the years."

His words struck a chord deep in my heart, and I fought back the tears threatening to spill. He would never truly know the kind of pain I had been carrying.

"Principal, Professor Stewart is here," the secretary said softly from outside the door.

Flynn strode in, his gaze darkening the moment he saw me.

"Dad, what’s the matter?" He stood beside me, his presence heavy with an unspoken tension.

"Flynn, it’s about your sister and the Myers family. The marriage has been arranged—they’ll get engaged next week," he announced.

The air instantly grew heavy. I could feel the change in his breathing, now rough and uneven.

"She’s too young. She’s not ready for marriage." Flynn's voice was cold as ice.

My father chuckled, shaking his head. "She’s already twenty three. It’s time for her to settle down.

"And Javier is an excellent match—I couldn’t be more at ease."

I kept my head down, avoiding Flynn’s gaze, but in the next moment, he grabbed my wrist. "Dad, I need to talk to Livia."

Without waiting for a reply, he dragged me out of the room.

"Flynn!" My father called out behind us.

"Don’t worry, Dad. I just want to have a heartfelt conversation with my sister." He turned back with a practiced, polite smile.

In the elevator, neither of us spoke. He gripped my wrist so tightly I thought he might crush the bone. As soon as we entered his office, he flung me onto the sofa.

"Did you forget what I told you?" Flynn growled. He leaned down over me, anger burning in his eyes.

"Professor Stewart, we’re over." I met his gaze directly as I replied. "You have Laica now, don’t you?"

"Shut up!" He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Do you really think I’ll let you marry someone else?"

"Why not?" I shot back. "You, of all people, should know—we were never in love."

Before I could finish, he kissed me, the forceful press of his lips carrying a metallic taste of blood. This kiss was harsher, more desperate than any before.

"You’re not allowed to go on dates. You’re not allowed to get engaged. You’re not allowed to marry anyone else." He whispered each word into my ear, his voice trembling with rage.

I pushed him away with all my strength. "And what gives you the right?"

"Because you used me as a tool to hurt Dad? Or because you treated me like a plaything?"

He froze, his expression faltering for the first time, a flicker of panic in his eyes. "You heard everything?"

"Enough." I stood up, straightening my clothes.

"Flynn, this game is over. You’ve gotten what you wanted, and I don’t want to continue anymore."

"Livia!" He reached for me, but I stepped out of his grasp.

As I opened the door, his voice rang out behind me. "If you dare to marry Javier, I’ll—"

Without looking back, I cut him off, "You’ll what?"

"Tell Dad how you’ve been tormenting me for the past three years?"

He didn't respond, so I shut the door, and the tears I had been holding back finally spilled over.

Pulling out my phone, I sent a message to Javier.

[For tomorrow’s engagement party, could you arrange for someone skilled with makeup? I have some marks on my neck that need covering.]

This time, I would sever the past completely.

As soon as the message was sent, my phone suddenly rang. I looked at the caller ID and a wry smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

It was Laica.