Chapter 10%
“My number is already saved inside. The only contact. Don’t even think about calling anyone else but me,” he whispered quickly after slipping a new phone into my pocket. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.
I could only stand frozen, watching his back grow smaller in the distance. From afar, I noticed a few girls glancing at me with unfriendly eyes. Whether it was jealousy… or because they thought I had just destroyed their dream of the ‘young dream professor‘ on campus–I had no idea.
Each step felt heavy as I walked into the classroom. I could feel the weird energy around me. They were talking about me, clearly. And I had to deal with it… alone.
I took the seat in the farthest corner, hoping to disappear into the shadows. But it didn’t take long before the whispers started again.§ “She’s not even that pretty, how’d she land Mr. Harry? Doesn’t make sense.”
“She probably flirted her way in just to get into this university.“}]
“She looks older, right? Is she a lost senior or just a late–enrolled student?”
I closed my eyes for a second. They knew nothing. And without asking a single thing, they judged me instantly.
Suddenly, the phone in my pocket vibrated. A message came in. From Harry.
[Don’t look weak. Chin up. You’re no longer Irish, you’re Isabella. You’ve been reborn. Show them you deserve this.]}]
I stared at the screen for a long moment. His words felt cold, but also… empowering.}
With one deep breath, I opened my eyes and straightened my back.
“If this is a game,” I whispered to myself, “then I’ll be the main character no one can bring down.“}]
I picked up my notebook and started taking notes, pretending not to care about the constant whispers echoing around me.
-8
News about me and Harry spread like oil on fire. Wild. Explosive. Unstoppable. And as always, I was the one left to deal with the mess.
Harry… he seemed to enjoy it all.
We were having lunch at a small café near campus. I was chewing bland toast, while he sipped his drink looking completely unbothered.}
“I feel so free now,” he said, leaning back casually. “For the first time in my life, I actually feel alive.“>
I shot him a sharp look. While I was being targeted by the wrath of the campus girls, he was just… relaxing?”
“You call this safe?” he asked with a smug grin.
I slammed my fork down on the table.
“Safe your head! My college bench is dirty from being scribbled on, my closet is pelted with trash! You think it’s safe?“}
He laughed. A soft laugh that stung more than the girls‘ insults.
“Just tell me who did it. I’ll teach them a lesson.”
i scoffed. I didn’t believe him. He didn’t really care. I was just a shield. A shield to protect him from his obsessive fans.
“You should fight back, Bella. Don’t stay quiet. Protect what’s yours.”
“Funny. But you are not mine.” My tone was sharp.
“Well… think of this as practice. You need to learn how to protect what belongs to you. So in the future, you’re not underestimated, and your partner isn’t taken away by someone else.“>
“Was that a jab?“!
“I’m just stating facts.”}
I went silent. His words hit like a hammer to my chest. He was cruel, yes–but his brutal honesty left me speechless.
And that’s when the voice came.}
“Harrryyy!“&
I turned quickly. A long–haired girl in a tight dress came running toward us. I didn’t recognize her. But the look on Harry’s face… was enough of a warning.
“Looks like you should start now. Time to put that little theory into practice,” Harry whispered. And in a matter of seconds, the girl was already sitting… on Harry’s lap.
“I missed you, Harry, Did you miss me?“>
My stomach dropped. I almost laughed. Really. For the first time, I saw Harry look actually uncomfortable. But that feeling didn’t last long, because suddenly, his hand grabbed my wrist–tight. And just like that, the girl turned and glared at me.”
“Hey! Who are you?!”
Her sharp voice cut through the air like a knife, leaving me stunned.”
