They Bet to Sleep With Me, I Split Them

Chapter 5

When I got back to the dorm, I wrapped myself in my blankets and spent a full 20 minutes trying to warm up before I finally stopped shaking. Then I knelt on my bed, pressed my hands together, and silently apologized to my mom.

Yes, my mom wasn't dead. She was actually living a great life. But she really had abandoned me when I was three and used her beauty to quickly marry a rich man.

That man's son happened to attend the same middle school as me. My mom happily went to his parent meetings, acting like she had never seen me before. So I figured using her as part of my tragic backstory today wasn't exactly unforgivable.

Besides, since she had given me these good looks, I was generous enough to make her look like the good guy in my story.

Of course, my dad wasn't any better, but his turn in the spotlight hadn't come yet. Just as I finally warmed up, Jace sent me a message.

Jace: I'm downstairs at your dorm. If you have time, can you come down for a minute?

I ignored him.

A little later, another message came through.

Jace: Are you still crying? Stop crying.

Charlotte: I don't want to see you.

Jace: I'm sorry.

I thought he had left. But half an hour later, when I went downstairs to buy a sandwich, I found him still standing there, leaning against his car and waiting for me.

I cautiously took a step back. "What are you trying to do?"

Jace was carrying two oversized shopping bags with luxury brand logos splashed across them. For one dangerous second, my inner shopaholic almost took over. But I had already learned my lesson. I only gave them a quick glance before looking away.

Jace, who was usually impossible to read, actually looked a little uneasy this time.

"I bought some clothes. I think they'll fit you."

"Thanks," I replied coldly. "But I don't need them."

With that, I headed toward the convenience store. I really didn't need it. I had been cold for so long that I was basically immune by now. The legendary Cold Resistance Champion of Evermont University wasn't a title I earned for nothing. If the world ever froze over, I would probably outlive every one of those ridiculously rich people.

Then it hit me. If the apocalypse actually came, the rich would all be hiding in luxury bunkers while broke college students like me would probably freeze to death on day one. The thought hit me like a truck.

Maybe that was why I suddenly looked so pitiful from behind. Jace hurried after me, pulled a camel cashmere coat from one of the shopping bags, and draped it over my shoulders.

I didn't struggle. I only said, "Do you want me to say it's okay so you can sleep peacefully tonight? Fine. It's okay. I forgive you. Now please stop bothering me."

Jace held onto the collar of the coat and refused to let go. "I'm sorry. I know I went too far."

I looked at him, my eyes filled with exhaustion and sadness.

It seemed like my expression hit him hard. He hurriedly tried to explain, "I thought you..."

"Think whatever you want. I don't care." I deleted him from my friend list right in front of him. "Goodbye."

Jace grabbed my wrist. "Don't go. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things and made you cry. I won't run my mouth anymore. Please don't be like this, alright?"

Everyone knew Jace was the best at putting on an act among the whole group. He was cold, arrogant, and barely ever speaking.

But seriously, what was more entertaining than watching a fake tough guy get humbled?