He Rejected Me, I’ll Win Him Over

Chapter 3 Everything Fell Apart

Debby let out a bitter laugh. She kicked off her high heels, barefoot now, and limped toward the street before stopping a taxi.

By the time she got home, the massive villa felt terrifyingly empty.

Holding onto the staircase railing, she slowly dragged herself upstairs one painful step at a time. Every movement sent sharp pain through her swollen ankle, just like the ache tearing through her chest.

The second she reached her room, the strength she'd forced herself to hold onto completely collapsed. She slid down against the door and sat on the carpet.

Silent tears poured down uncontrollably, soaking into the expensive cashmere rug beneath her.

Debby bit hard into her arm to stop herself from making a sound, but her shoulders still shook violently.

Why?

They had spent three years together day and night. Even a stranger should've developed some feelings by now.

So after all those years... what had she ever meant to him?

Just yesterday, she'd still been stupid enough to dream about their future together.

Thinking about it now felt pathetic.

Debby was crying so hard she could barely breathe when suddenly, the door behind her was pulled open from the outside.

Caught off guard, Debby lost her balance and fell backward.

But before she hit the ground, a strong arm caught her shoulder.

Startled, Debby turned around through blurry tears. Ethan was standing there frowning.

Her heart skipped instinctively. Then the irony crashed over her immediately after.

What was he here for? To laugh at her?

Ethan clearly hadn't expected her to be leaning against the door either. Seeing the tear stains covering her face, his expression turned complicated. He reached out, trying to help her up.

But Debby slapped his hand away instantly and forced herself upright by gripping the doorframe, even as pain shot through her ankle.

Quickly wiping her tears away, she refused to look any more miserable in front of him.

"Why are you here?" Debby asked coldly, though her voice was still thick from crying. "Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?"

Ethan's gaze dropped to her swollen ankle hanging awkwardly above the floor. His brows tightened further.

Ignoring her sarcasm, he handed her a bag of medicine.

"If I didn't come, were you just planning to suffer through it alone?"

The words pierced straight through the fragile wall she'd built around herself.

He was right. Her parents had been divorced for years and barely stayed in the country. She'd gotten used to handling everything on her own.

On the outside, she looked confident and fearless. But deep down, she'd always wanted someone she could rely on.

And now, the one person who absolutely shouldn't have noticed her weakness had exposed it so casually. It made her feel even worse.

Debby turned her face away sharply, forcing the tears back into her eyes.

"My problems have nothing to do with you."

Seeing her so obviously hurting while still refusing to back down stirred an unexpected irritation inside Ethan. His lips pressed into a thin line.

"Debby, I only came because we've known each other for three years. Don't overthink it."

That same cold line between them.

Debby's chest tightened painfully. Just as she was about to snap back at him, his phone suddenly rang.

Her eyes drifted toward the screen instinctively.

The caller ID read Baby Lena.

That familiar term of endearment completely crushed the last bit of hope she'd been holding onto.

"Get out!" Debby shouted, pointing toward the stairs. "Take your medicine and go back to your precious childhood sweetheart! I don't want to see you anymore!"

Ethan looked at her silently. His throat moved slightly, like he wanted to say something. But in the end, he said nothing at all.

He gently placed the medicine on the nearby cabinet, then turned and disappeared down the stairs.

Debby stared at his back, then at the medicine. She rushed over, wanting to throw it straight into the trash.

But the pain in her ankle hit so hard that she could only crouch down helplessly and hug herself.

Why? Why did such a tiny bit of concern from him still affect her so much? Why did he keep showing up and messing with her emotions when he didn't even love her?

Just then, her phone rang again.

Debby glanced at the screen. It was her father, Mark Olson.

Taking a deep breath, she answered and forced her voice to sound normal. "Dad? What's wrong?"

On the other end, Mark's voice sounded rough and exhausted.

"Debby... our family's about to go bankrupt."

Her body froze instantly. Her fingers tightened around the phone.

"I used the last of our savings to arrange for you to study abroad in Newford," he continued hoarsely. "I already contacted your mother too. Someone will pick you up when you get there."

Debby's knuckles turned white around the phone.

The cold night wind brushed against her face like ice.

She closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, all that remained was numbness.

Today, she lost the person she loved. And now, she was losing her home too. Even if it was never warm, it had still been the only place left that could protect her.

She stayed silent for nearly a full minute.

On the other end, Mark asked carefully, "Debby? Are you still there?"

Debby slowly lifted her eyes. Then she forced a small smile. "Okay. I understand."

"You'll leave in five days," Mark replied softly. "Start getting ready."