Chapter 22
I was utterly stunned by this revelation.
It wasn’t Elijah who had saved me–it was Liam?
Is this true?
I turned to look at Liam, who showed no sign of surprise, suggesting he had known all along.
Why did Elijah lie to me? And why didn’t Liam clarify the truth?
Liam then spoke up:
“Back in the eighth grade, I happened to pass by an alley and saw a group of girls bullying you. When I approached, I intervened. They knew my family background and didn’t dare continue.”
“But you were already unconscious. Knowing you were close with Elijah, I contacted him.”
Hearing this, my emotions became a whirlwind, and tears flowed uncontrollably.
I turned to Elijah and demanded, “Why did you lie to me?”
“Why didn’t you tell me the truth back then?”
Realization dawned on me, and I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
“I finally understand why you always changed the subject when I brought it up. It turns out… you weren’t the one who saved me.”
His gaze fell, and after a long pause, he finally said, “I’m sorry.”
Suddenly, those words seemed so cheap coming from him.
I had always thought he was my beacon of light, only to discover it was all an illusion.
It turns out… from the very beginning… I had loved the wrong person.
Liam continued, “The girls who bullied you were all arranged by Hallie.”
“What?” I was utterly stunned by this revelation.
The mastermind behind the bullying I endured in school was a friend I had grown up with?
But I saw no trace of shock on Elijah’s face, which made my heart drop.
I whispered, “Elijah… did you know about this all along?”
Elijah’s eyes flickered with disbelief as he looked at me with sorrow. He didn’t answer, but I knew the truth.
Suddenly, everything felt like a cruel joke.
But I couldn’t stop myself from pressing,
“Answer me!”
He was silent for a full minute before finally nodding.
He didn’t look at me anymore, perhaps out of guilt and remorse.
I let out a self–deprecating laugh.
So, Hallie had been the puppet master behind the bullying in middle school, while Elijah was merely an observer.
“You must know that period was the darkest time of my life,” I said.
“Why did you and Hallie, who grew up with me, treat me like this? Why?”
“Do you know how I endured those days of bullying? I couldn’t tell anyone; I even thought of ending it all!”
“Honged for a light to guide me, and it turns out the light I hoped for wasn’t you!”
“And you, all this time, kept it from me.”
“Why?”
I asked, my voice devoid of strength.
Winter had set in, and the wind blew coldly, making me seem so fragile in its chill.
I didn’t know when Elijah had left.
All I knew was that I was shivering from the cold.
In the next moment, I was enveloped in a warm embrace.
He smelled faintly of cedarwood.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
He gently stroked my hair and said, “I will always be here with you.”
Thank you…
Liam, always showing up when I’m at my lowest.