Rejection & Regret Chapter 1

Vivian Sterling didn't like me, her fiancé from out of town.

To make me call off the engagement, she found a scholarship student at our school to impersonate her.

“One’s new money, the other’s too poor to eat. A perfect match.”

“I bet the new-money kid won’t last three days. He’ll definitely cancel the engagement.”

The scholarship student was beautiful in a cold, fragile way, quiet and reserved.

I fell for it completely. I thought the Sterling family had really gone bankrupt, that she couldn't even afford a proper meal.

My dad’s words echoed in my ears: “Son, bankrupt is bankrupt. We don’t look down on people for being poor. We’ve got the money to support her.”

So, when she was hungry, I gave her food. When she worked part-time, I acted as her bodyguard. When her mom was hospitalized, I paid the bills…

I took good care of my destitute fiancée.

Until the day a beautiful girl snatched the breakfast I had carefully prepared.

I was about to lose my temper when she looked at me, a defiant glint in her eyes.

“Leo Nash, look closely. I’m your fiancée—”

* * *

My dad told me I had a fiancée in the city.

To let me decide whether I wanted to go through with it, and to make sure I got into a good college, he transferred me in my junior year—right into Vivian Sterling’s class.

I heard the Sterling family was the wealthiest in Crestwood, with deep roots. My dad even had me bring a bunch of expensive gifts. But when I got off the train, no one from the Sterling family was there to meet me.

I was a little annoyed at first, but when I got to school and saw a thin girl in a faded t-shirt who I thought was Vivian, my anger vanished.

A classmate I met on the way had kindly shown me the way after looking at the photo I was holding.

“Junior class, room 3? You’re looking for Vivian Sterling? Oh, I know her. I’ll take you.”

She was the one who pointed her out to me.

I followed her finger and saw a girl sitting by the window, her back straight, looking delicate and clean. The afternoon sun, filtered through the leaves outside, cast a gentle light on her profile. A breeze rustled a few strands of her hair, revealing a smooth forehead and a strong browline.

I looked down at the photo, then back at her.

The classmate’s sympathetic voice rang in my ears. “You didn’t know? The Sterling family went bankrupt two years ago. Now Vivian has to rely on school aid and work part-time after school. Sometimes she’s so broke she can’t even afford to eat.”

Our families hadn't been in close contact, and it wasn't like the Sterlings would broadcast their bankruptcy to my small town. I let out a small gasp and nodded, promising her I wouldn't spread it around.

“This is our new transfer student, Leo Nash. Everyone, please welcome him,” the teacher announced, pointing to an empty seat in the back. “You can sit there for now.”

I looked up. It was right next to “Vivian.”

From the moment I entered the classroom to when the teacher assigned my seat, she never looked up. She was completely focused on what she was writing.

I had to walk behind her to get to my seat. As I passed, my backpack snagged on something. I gave a slight tug, and an old enamel mug fell out of her desk. It clattered on the floor, and the half-eaten piece of a hard, dry bun inside tumbled out, collecting a layer of dust.

I saw her shoulders flinch almost imperceptibly. Her grip on her pen tightened, but she didn’t turn around. I heard a few muffled snickers from nearby and saw a couple of girls whispering behind her back, their eyes full of disdain.

So, things were really this bad for her. The vibrant, high-spirited girl in the old photos was now so poor she couldn't afford a real meal.

I bit my lip, sat down, and apologized in a low voice. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”

She still didn’t look at me, just silently took the mug I’d picked up and put it back in her desk.

“I’m Leo Nash. Do you remember me?” I tilted my head, leaning closer to get a better look at her. We had met once, when she was six. I’ve always had a thing for pretty faces, just like my mom, and little Vivian had been exquisite. I hadn’t wanted to let her go. Of course, that was before I introduced her to the chickens and one of them pecked her on the butt. She hadn’t spoken to me since.

Thankfully, she’d grown up just as beautiful.

My sudden movement startled her. She leaned back slightly, her eyes cast down as she looked at me. Her eyes were stunning, like gleaming black gems. Her long, dark lashes curtained her cool gaze, making her seem a little less distant.

But after the initial surprise, she still didn't speak.

I scratched my head. “I’m your fiancé, remember?”

She was taking a sip of water and choked, coughing quietly. I quickly patted her back. When she recovered, she looked at me with a strange expression, a faint blush on her pale cheeks.

Maybe she didn't remember. Or maybe bankruptcy had changed her. Either way, I got the message. We could just start over as friends.

I smiled and held out my hand. “Well, we’re desk-mates now. I’m Leo Nash. It’s nice to meet you. By the way, can I ask you for a favor?”

I expected her to ignore me again, but this time she spoke, her voice still icy.

“I don’t have time.”