Meanwhile, lan didn't forget his task―he started digging for information about Tyler and Athena.

But lately, just hearing Athena's name was enough to set Tyler off. He'd start chugging whiskey and slurring on about being "the stand-in" for someone else.

lan crouched beside him, handing over a glass of juice in an attempt at damage control.

"What do you mean, 'stand-in'? Athena's using you as a rebound?"

Whoa, this was juicier than he expected.

“Yeah! Athena is—she's honestly just a terrible person.” Tyler could only manage this weak insult, even now.

When he was sober, Tyler could tear Athena apart with his biting sarcasm, but once drunk, all his bravado dissolved. The truth was, he couldn't say a single cruel word to her, no matter how cold she'd become.

He knew he deserved it. If only he'd treated Athena better in the past—maybe, just maybe, she would have felt something for him. Maybe she wouldn't be so indifferent now.

While Tyler rambled on, lan quietly gathered all the details and messaged them to Maja.

Maja, who'd tried to play it cool, couldn't help but be intrigued. She was still surprised when she read that Tyler was the one being used.

After a long pause, she finally replied with just two words:

"Serves him right."

Everyone knew Tyler was a jerk. Back when they all went out for dinner, he never took women seriously— always flirting, never genuine.

kept countless women up at night. It was only a


this day. She just hadn't

drank more, he lost all control, clutching Fitch's shoulders

this? Are you saying she never liked me, not

looked up, eyes flat, words merciless. "And what exactly is there

I look good, I... I...” Tyler's voice trailed off, confidence draining

his head away

tried to

throw him a bone tell a little

cheeks flushed, barely

jab, "What's

tel

to mean? Huh?

ar


you getting at?" s

half-amused, half-sympathetic. “Let it go, man. There are plenty of fish in the

had been Tyler's line, once upon

I just want her," he mumbled, then curled

took Tyler's

met

her from

the

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255