Rewriting My Heart's Fate

Liam's playful and teasing voice sounded, but I didn't even think about turning around. I wanted nothing to do with Ethan, and even less with him.

He walked up to me with his arms crossed, openly staring at me as he rubbed his chin and continued, "You're different from the rumors. They all say you chase after Ethan like a stubborn glue, but just now it looked like you were eager to draw a line between you two. "So what's the deal? New tactic? Playing hard to get?" He suddenly leaned in as he spoke, and his breath brushed against my cheek. "Is this some kind of new strategy to get his attention?"

I instinctively recoiled from his closeness, but a large warm hand gripped my shoulder before I could move. Someone pulled me back, and I found myself falling into a familiar embrace that smelled of cedarwood.

"Stay away from her!" Ethan's voice was icy.

I looked up reflexively and saw his tightly pursed lips and the irritation in his eyes.

I couldn't understand what he was so annoyed about, but being held so close to him made me feel incredibly uncomfortable.

"Let go of me," I said while pushing out of his embrace and taking two steps back to put some distance between us.

Ethan seemed surprised by my retreat. He stared at me for a few seconds. But just as he was about to speak, Leah suddenly appeared and grabbed his arm.

"Ethan, what took you so long to buy some water?" Then, as if just noticing me, Leah said, "Oh, Evelyn, you're here too."

I glanced at her and muttered a simple "Mm".

"Did you follow Ethan here?" Leah's eyes darted between Ethan and me as she clung to his arm and spoke in a sweet and innocent voice.

"Ethan, it's late. You shouldn't hold it against Evelyn for following you. It's not very safe for a girl out here by herself." Her words were passive-aggressive

Just as I was about to respond, Liam's face turned cold as he interjected, "Miss, do you know that spreading false rumors can have legal consequences?"

Liam usually came across as gentle and affectionate, but in reality, he was cold and indifferent. Once his mask of false kindness slipped, he became someone dark and ruthless, like a cheetah in the savannah. One moment, he was lazily basking in the sun, the next baring its fangs to bite into its prey's neck.

shrank closer to Ethan as she said in a trembling voice, "Ethan, I don't know what he's

push her away. Instead, he loosely protectively held

Ethan's favoritism countless times before, it

because of tonight's banquet. He understood everything, yet he allowed Leah to

this pointless conflict or become a pawn in their little war,

exactly should be apologizing to whom?" I asked expressionlessly as I stared back at Ethan, meeting his gaze without flinching,

to freeze. I forced a smile and turned

roadside, Ethan

you could leave?" His voice

laughed bitterly. "Why would I need your permission?

to you anymore. I won't

His grip tightened around my wrist so hard it felt like he might break it.

her." Liam stepped forward, pried Ethan's hand from

lost!" Ethan grabbed Liam's

and smiled provocatively. "Or maybe you should ask Evelyn whether she wants you or me to

as I looked up, I

I was about to say that I'd leave, Leah rushed

turning her angry glare toward me. "Evelyn, say

being squeezed. Finally, my patience snapped. "I didn't provoke any of you

as I got into the taxi, I leaned against the window, watching

this life. All I wanted was to distance myself from those who had hurt me in the past and live

kept dragging me back into entanglements with Ethan, Leah, and even Liam, who I hadn't met until my sophomore year

that I wouldn't be able to escape the fate I