C9 It Was Just a Cheap Trick

Seeing Priya's scornful look, Skylynn's face twisted with anger. "Priya, watch your language. Anatol and I are truly in love. If it weren't for Ellie, we would have already been together!"

Priya rolled her eyes, her face twisted in mock revulsion. "The same old story throughout history—'true love' is the excuse of every homewrecker. Seducing your best friend's fiancé is nothing but low."

Skylynn glared at her, fuming. "Who are you calling a homewrecker? Make yourself clear, Priya!"

"Whoever feels guilty should know who I'm talking about. Some people want to play the victim while they're the ones causing harm. It's utterly repulsive!"

Undeterred, Priya met Skylynn's glare with one of her own.

Their spat was drawing stares, so I quickly tugged at Priya's arm. "There's no point in getting upset over someone like her. Let's just go."

"Anatol, they're picking on me. Aren't you going to do something?" Skylynn pleaded, gripping Anatol's arm and looking pitiful.

"Ellie," Anatol called out, his brow furrowed, seemingly pained to see Skylynn upset.

At the sound of my name, a sharp ache pierced my heart. I fought back tears and turned to face him with a cold stare.

"Your friend Priya was out of line with Skylynn. Doesn't she owe her an apology?" Anatol's voice was distant and devoid of emotion.

His indifference cut deep. The man who once cherished and shielded me was now challenging me on behalf of another woman. My bond with him paled in comparison to that of a mistress.

"Priya spoke nothing but the truth. You cheated first, betraying me for seven years. And now you expect my friend to apologize to a mistress? What gives you the right to demand an apology from me?"

I no longer cared about the onlookers as I stepped closer to Anatol, my voice rising in defiance.

I had tolerated his infidelity, but now he had the audacity to act innocent. Was I, Ellie, really so easy to push around?

When the people around me heard what I said, they began to murmur among themselves, nearly all of them condemning Anatol for two-timing me.

I've always been soft-hearted, and I've never raised my voice to Anatol before. But today, I was furious.

Anatol clearly hadn't expected me to loudly reveal his infidelity. For a moment, he seemed unable to maintain his composure, his eyes betraying a sense of guilt.

"Ellie, why are you yelling? Anatol and I are truly in love. If it weren't for you, we would have been married by now. And here you are, still playing the victim. It's you who's been clinging to Anatol all this time!" Skylynn marched over to Anatol, clinging to his arm with a look of indignation as she waited for my response.

"Truly in love? Me, clinging to him? Haha... Such a cheating jerk, and you think I'd want him? Even if you offered him to me for free, I wouldn't take him. The very thought disgusts me!"

I let out a cold, mocking laugh, my gaze fixed on the two of them, wrapped up in each other's arms.

I can't stand deceit, and my heart has no room for betrayal. No matter how deeply I once loved Anatol, the moment I saw him in bed with my former best friend, it was over between us.