For the 99th time, Kelvin Ingram, heir to a fortune, confessed his love to Susan Nicholson, the undisputed queen of our high school. And for the 99th time, she rejected him.

Without missing a beat, he shoved the bouquet of roses and his black card into my hands—the same hands that were busy rummaging through a trash can.

A helicopter showered petals across the sky, and Kelvin pinned me against a wall, his breath hot against my cheek.

"Hey, little stray, how'd you like to be my princess?"

Not far away, Susan flashed a triumphant smirk, and I saw it. Still, with tuition overdue and my future hanging by a thread, I took the roses and the black card he offered.

From that moment on, my life became a lavish blur of private tutors, designer clothes, and endless parties, with money spent as if it were going out of style.

On the night of my 18th birthday, Kelvin traced his finger along my collarbone, his voice low and intoxicating.

"Babe, how about we film a video? Something to remember our first time together?"

I knew then—this was the real reason behind our so-called romance.

My father had abandoned Susan's mother, his mistress, and that was why Susan hated me. She wanted me ruined, dragged down, never to rise again.

But this time, I simply waved my plane ticket and Harvard acceptance letter in her face.

"Your bed's soft, and the black card has an insane limit.

"But my future means everything. So, bye!"

***

Inside the mansion, the party raged on.

Susan twirled her strawberry-print panties around her finger before dropping them into Kelvin's palm.

"Babe, this is your reward," she whispered, breathing into his ear.

"Just get another video of Natasha, and next time, the reward will be me."

Kelvin, cigarette dangling from his lips, lifted her chin, his voice rough and sexy.

"Relax, babe. I just tossed some cash at that girl, and now she believes I'm in love with her. She's agreed to do it with me on her 18th birthday."

"Her birthday? That's tomorrow!"

Susan's eyes lit up. She wrapped her arms around Kelvin's neck and pressed a fierce kiss to his cheek.

"Don't go all the way. If you actually sleep with her, I'm done with you!"

Kelvin let out a wicked chuckle, his hand gliding along her waist.

"Don't worry. She'll let me film it. Even if I told her to crawl down the street naked, she'd do it without question."

Laughter erupted around the room.

"I thought she'd rather pick through trash than sell herself. Guess money really does talk."

"A pure and innocent girl turning wild and reckless—now that's going to be epic!"

I stood quietly outside the door, smiling to myself.

These rich kids would never understand how hard life was when one was poor.

Digging for scraps in dumpsters, sleeping under bridges, drinking dirty water from a park fountain.

Scavenging for expired bread outside bakeries, licking every crumb from the bag.

I had done all of those things by the time I was 12. Now I was 18, swiping Kelvin's limitless black card without batting an eye.

Dignity. That was a luxury I could never afford.

Inside, laughter and conversation carried on.

Suddenly, someone teased Susan, "Sue, now that Kel is with Natasha, just as you wanted, aren't you worried he'll actually fall for her?"

Kelvin hurled a pillow at the man, grinning. "Get real. I only love Sue."

Truth was, I didn't care who Kelvin loved.

I only cared about his money.

The irony? My family was loaded.

My mom was a top-notch lawyer with a gambling problem. My dad was a famous businessman with a habit of cheating.

But their daughter—me—couldn't even afford a pack of pads.

Neither of them cared about me. I was just a pawn in their marriage.

Without Kelvin, I'd still be stuck in a hopeless life.

And all of this happened because of Susan's deep-seated hatred. She was bent on using Kelvin to completely ruin me.

When I was 12, my mom lost 3 million dollars gambling.

She smashed my piggy bank where I'd been saving for tuition, threatening me not to breathe a word to Dad.

Her only consolation was using my own money to buy me some snacks.

We stood in front of a greasy fried chicken stand, the air thick with the stench of old oil, and watched my dad walk out of a luxury boutique with his mistress on his arm.

Trailing behind them was their illegitimate daughter, Susan.

That day, my mom forced me to drink an entire bottle of pesticide, threatening Dad that if he didn't leave that woman, she'd kill me.

The pesticide burned bitter and sharp down my throat, the surgical lights overhead spun until I wished I could die.

They had to change all my blood three times before Dad finally agreed to come back home, restoring our family's fake sense of wholeness.

Susan hated me.

Hated that I survived. Hated that I ruined her mother's life. Hated the shame of being called a bastard.

She wished she could destroy me herself.

I was there for every one of Kelvin's dramatic confessions that set the whole school buzzing.

He was handsome, loaded.

He tossed money around like it was nothing, just numbers on a screen.

Susan relished being the center of attention, finally having the upper hand over me, so she never accepted his love.

I used to be crazy jealous, too.

Wishing it were me buried under roses and bills.

Hating that I was stuck in poverty, clawing at the edges only to find more quicksand.

So I posted on Instagram, "Being abandoned is the original sin—no redemption."

Of course, Susan couldn't sit still after that.

When Kelvin landed his helicopter on the school field, petals raining down, I knew the show was about to begin.

"Hey, little stray, how'd you like to be my princess?"

He smiled, all wicked charm, reaching out to me.

Just to drag me into hell.

That night, Susan posted on the school forum, "So-called pure girls are just waiting for the right price."

She's right—I want money. Lots and lots of money.

Enough to weave into wings and fly me out of this swamp of a life.

My parents always said it was my fault they never divorced.

But the truth is, they're the guilty ones. I'm the one sentenced to death.

Dad would drink himself stupid, beat me bloody, then pass out in the bedroom.

Mom would come home from gambling, hunting for cash, smashing my piggy bank again and again.

She'd even crawl on the floor to scrape up a single dollar that slipped under the bed.

Rotten food, garbage, endless screaming and fighting—I was done with it all.

Every time my test scores came out, I imagined that perfect score transforming into wings, lifting me out of this twisted, suffocating home.

On my desk, the romance novel I'd read was torn to tatters—the prince would spend millions to rescue his broken flower.

I used to dream that maybe, just maybe, a prince would show up for me, showering me with cash and saving my life.

Someone like me should never have crossed paths with Kelvin.

But Susan made herself the bait, sharpening Kelvin into a weapon for revenge.

He stepped straight out of a romance novel, old money, several tens of billions in the bank, a face like an angel, turning heads wherever he went.

Most importantly, he spent money without a second thought.

That was all I needed.

I was still short 300,000 dollars. Once I saved up, I'd be gone.

Right on cue, I pushed open the door, pretending I hadn't heard a thing, and shook the bottle of liquor in my hand.

"Got the booze."

Susan finally slid off Kelvin's lap, tossing him a meaningful look.

He stretched out his long legs, crossed them lazily, and patted the seat next to him.

"Come here."

I obediently sat down, and Susan immediately yanked the bracelet off my wrist.

"This bracelet's pretty cute. Must've cost a lot, huh?"

"Yeah, Kelvin gave it to me."

Someone snorted. "If I'm not mistaken, isn't that just the freebie that came with Sue's necklace?"

Laughter filled the room.

After all the buildup, they were dying to see me crack.

But I didn't.

I said, "Doesn't matter if it's a freebie. If Kelvin gave it to me, I'll treasure it."

Kelvin's hand froze, cigarette halfway to his lips, his eyes darkening for a split second.

Exactly the reaction I wanted.

I knew precisely where his soft spot was.

Truth was, I'd already lined up a buyer for the bracelet.

It'd fetch 6,000 dollars—enough to cover two months of expenses.

The more humiliation, the better.

Someone tried to keep taunting me, but Kelvin cut them off coldly.

"Drinks are here, let's play a game!"

Truth or Dare.

I lost the first round.

Susan raised her phone, ready to record my embarrassment.

"Truth, have you ever slept with Kelvin?"

I picked up my glass and downed it.

Second round, lost again.

Susan asked, "Do you love Kelvin, or do you just love his money?"

Another glass, another shot.

They kept targeting me, and I lost the third round too.

I could hold my liquor, but after the third drink, I had to collapse into Kelvin's arms, just as planned.

I knew exactly how to play Kelvin.

So when I slumped against him, tipsy and helpless, his arm tightened around me, his face unreadable.

Fourth round, Susan still wouldn't let up, phone in hand. "Natasha, do you think you're just a shallow, gold-digging bitch?"

I reached for the drink, but Kelvin grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

His lips pressed into a thin line. "That's enough for tonight."

In the bathroom, Kelvin cornered me against the wall, his body burning hot and pressed close, his breath scorching.

"Why didn't you answer those questions?"

I looked up at him with wet eyes, staring into his endless, dark gaze.

Perfect.

When a playboy starts asking "why," he's already caught feelings—he just doesn't know it yet.

I bit my lip and kept silent, watching him.

Eventually, he bent down and kissed my collarbone, his voice rough. "Sue crossed the line tonight. I'll make it up to you."

A bank notification chimed.

The result of our silent battle was that he'd transferred 150,000 dollars to my account.

Before I left, I deliberately tugged my clothes into disarray.

Susan stood at the door, looking furious, mouthing a warning to Kelvin.

"Don't forget our deal."

After everyone left and midnight struck, Kelvin couldn't wait to pin me to the couch, his searing kisses trailing down my neck, making me shiver all over.

"Babe, time to keep your promise."

He scooped me up and carried me straight to the bedroom.

Luxury candles filled the air with a sultry haze.

His shirt hung open, showing off his sculpted chest, skin radiating heat.

Like he was punishing me for staying silent, his kisses turned fierce, not stopping until the taste of blood lingered between us.

I caught sight of his phone recording on the nightstand and let his hand slide up my dress.

I knew it was time to take the lead.

Just as he was about to undo the last button of my shirt, I timed it perfectly and pushed him away, reaching into my bag for a sculpture I'd carved myself.

It was a simple piece—a mother and child leaning into each other. The craftsmanship was rough, but it was enough to strike a nerve in Kelvin's heart.

Sure enough, anger replaced desire. He locked his eyes on the sculpture, his face darkening, menacing.

"When I was straightening your clothes, I noticed a broken sculpture, carefully wrapped up. I figured it must mean a lot to you, so I tried making one just like it..."

I hadn't even finished before his hand clamped around my throat, squeezing hard.

"Who said you could touch my stuff?"

As the choking tightness closed in, I felt an odd sense of relief.

Guys like him—born into old money—had endless ways to deal with me.

Maybe I'd get away this time, but next time, who knew?

But what if I became the thorn in his heart instead?

That sculpture had been a birthday gift from his mother. Later, she'd clung to it when she jumped from the building.

It shattered on the pavement. She must have hurt terribly.

And he must have... hurt just as much.

I stared at him, not fighting, forcing the words out past his grip.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't make you happy."

His eyes flickered, and suddenly his grip loosened.

Air flooded back in, and I knew the fish was about to bite.

He raised the sculpture, looking ready to smash it, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

I'd won.

Casually, I let the scars on my hands show—deep and shallow marks, all carved on purpose.

When his gaze landed on my hands, his lips trembled.

Finally, he kicked over the table, his phone crashing to the ground.

"Want to keep going?" I asked softly.

He wrapped me in his jacket, face still stormy, and picked up his phone, tapping a few times.

Another 150,000 dollars hit my account.

"This is for your trouble. I don't owe anyone anything."

As I left, he took the sculpture with him.

I knew his heart was in chaos.

After the SATs, I sold the jewelry and designer bags he'd given me, saving up enough for college.

Enough to disappear and start over.

He'd fallen for me, so it was time to break up.

This time, I'd hold the controller.

The next day, Kelvin invited the whole class and threw me a lavish birthday party.

His original plan had been to play my scandalous video in front of everyone—to get revenge for Susan.

The mood should've been cold and tense.

But today, the party was filled with my favorite Ecuadorian roses and a homemade cake from Kelvin himself.

Susan eyed the obvious effort, dragging him aside.

"Did you sleep with her?"

"No," Kelvin said, head down.

Susan's relief was obvious, almost impatient.

"So, is the video ready? Play it for everyone! You're killing me!"

Silence.

A heavy, suffocating silence.

Sunlight split Kelvin's profile in two—half in light, half in shadow.

I stood nearby, swiping a bit of frosting from the cake.

Sweet enough.

Ignoring Susan's escalating argument, I poured myself a drink and knocked it back.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Susan shove Kelvin, but it was I who collapsed.

A strange numbness shot through my stomach.

Shit. The drink was spiked.

The floor rushed up to meet me, and I crashed hard onto the icy tiles.

"Bitch, I've got plenty of ways to deal with you." Susan sneered, ordering a few guys to drag me into a room.

"Do whatever you want—just make sure you record it."

Half-conscious, I heard Kelvin's furious roar.

"This wasn't the plan!"

"Plan?" Susan scoffed. "Kelvin, don't tell me you're actually in love with her?"

"I... I'm not."

"Good. So let me ask you right now—between me and Natasha, who do you choose?"

The room was shrouded in darkness, and all I could feel were countless hands roaming over my body.

The sound of fabric tearing mingled with the men's raucous laughter, a relentless buzzing that pounded against my eardrums.

But inside, I was counting down in silence.

Three.

Two.

One.

Bang!

The door slammed open, sunlight flooding the room.

Kelvin charged in like a wild animal unleashed, fists flying in a frenzy.

Blood, screams, panic—everyone scattered.

When it was just the two of us left, I played up the drug's effects, feigning confusion. I reached out, hooked my arms around his neck, and kissed him.

Maybe it was revenge. Maybe I really just craved his body.

This fleeting love—I'd allow myself to indulge just this once.

When Susan burst in with the rest of the class, what she saw wasn't the chaos she'd expected.

Instead, I was curled lazily in Kelvin's arms, tracing circles on his chest with my fingertip.

Her smug smile froze, then twisted into something ugly.

"Ahh!"

Her scream nearly blew the roof off.

She pointed at me, wild-eyed, teetering on the edge of madness.

"Natasha, you're just like your mother—a filthy man-stealing bitch!"

I calmly straightened my clothes, grinning as I slid off the bed. "Kelvin's my boyfriend, Susan. What right do you have to make a scene here?"

"Or is it"—I stepped closer, lowering my voice—"that you're just like your mom? Always chasing after someone else's man?"

Susan hadn't expected me to turn the tables. She was left speechless, choking on her own words.

"I can't take this anymore!"

She ran out, face buried in her hands.

I knew her only card left was Kelvin. This was far from over.

So when Kelvin chased after her, I didn't stop him.

I let everything play out.

Whatever happened next, I knew it would work in my favor.

On the second-floor balcony, Susan was leaning so far over the railing she looked like a broken butterfly about to fall.

"Kelvin, do you even love me? You promised we were just using her—so why did you sleep with her?"

Kelvin lit a cigarette, taking a few hard drags, the smoke blurring his conflicted face.

But I understood perfectly.

Guys like Kelvin, born into money, don't know what real love is.

He'd stir up drama with Susan all day, then blow thousands at an exclusive club that night.

Even the night I agreed to date him, he was the same.

But I didn't care.

All I wanted was to grab as many chips as I could before the game ended.

Until I found his weak spot.

That day, I deliberately walked in the rain, came down with a fever, and collapsed into his arms.

For the first time, I told him about my family—how my dad cheated, how my mom lost her mind at home.

I knew he'd once had a happy family too—until his mom was driven to suicide by his father's mistress.

His dad married the new woman the very next day.

Since then, Kelvin had spiraled, covering up his pain with reckless living.

So I ripped open my own wounds in front of him, showing him the raw, bloody truth.

That day, he held me tighter than ever.

Like he was clinging to the helpless boy he used to be.

From that moment on, I started to pry open a crack in his heart.

I planted the seed, watered it, and now it has finally taken root—grown into something that looks just like me.

The only thing I hadn't told him was that Susan's mother was the mistress who destroyed my family.

Some truths are best revealed by the guilty themselves—they make for a much bigger explosion.

I couldn't wait to see his reaction when he finally found out.