Chapter 7: The Jealousy Game
398 Words
Stephanie thought she had finally adjusted to the stares and whispers, but she wasn’t prepared for Vanessa.
Vanessa was everything Stephanie wasn’t—glamorous, rich, and openly obsessed with Sean Adi. She’d been his childhood friend, the kind of girl who thought his heart already belonged to her.
So when she saw Sean holding Stephanie’s hand in front of the cafeteria, Vanessa’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“Oh, Sean…” she said sweetly, brushing her hair back. “You didn’t tell me you’d… downgraded.”
Stephanie froze, her chest tightening, but Sean only smirked.
“Vanessa, meet my girlfriend, Stephanie. She’s the best upgrade I’ve ever made.”
The cafeteria erupted in gasps.
Vanessa’s face stiffened, but she quickly forced another smile.
“Girlfriend? Interesting. Well, Sean, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She glanced at Stephanie with sharp eyes. “Girls like her don’t last long in this circle.”
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That evening, Stephanie sat quietly in her hostel room, replaying the moment. Vanessa’s words clung to her, even though she told herself it didn’t matter.
But the truth was, it did.
When Sean called later, she couldn’t hide the edge in her voice.
“Why didn’t you tell me about her?”
“About Vanessa?” He chuckled. “She’s just noise. Don’t waste your thoughts on her.”
“It’s not that simple, Sean. She clearly likes you.”
There was a pause on the line, then Sean’s voice dropped lower.
“And what if I told you I don’t care about her? What if the only girl I see is you?”
Stephanie’s heart skipped. She wanted to believe him. But this was supposed to be pretend. Fake. A deal.
And yet… when she remembered the way he defended her earlier, so boldly, so publicly—
Her chest fluttered in ways she couldn’t explain.
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But Vanessa wasn’t done.
The next day, as Stephanie walked into the library, Vanessa blocked her path with a smug smile.
“Enjoy this little fairy tale while it lasts, Stephanie. Because trust me, I’ll do everything to remind Sean where he truly belongs.”
Stephanie stared at her, torn between fear and defiance. She had no idea how to fight girls like Vanessa.
But one thing was clear—this “pretend love” was about to get very real, very messy.
End of Chapter 7.
- Writer
