A Ruinous Night novel Chapter 3

In a flash, my memories transported me back five years.

Back then, desperate to earn Mr. Lockwood's approval, I painstakingly created a custom study guide just for Lucian.-

But Lucian hated studying. While I earnestly explained the material, practically begging him to understand, he would just zone out, staring blankly at my face.

Whenever I looked up and caught his eye, the tips of his ears would burn crimson.

After three months of tutoring, his class rank plummeted instead of rising. Mr. Lockwood decided I was useless and planned to send me back to the countryside.

The rural schools couldn't hold a candle to the city's resources. Losing my spot at that prestigious academy was a crushing blow.

I had packed my bags and was on my way to say goodbye when I passed the study. Through the cracked door, I heard Lucian begging his father to let me stay for three more months, swearing he would study hard and improve.

He kept his word.

A month later, he practically shoved his stellar exam results into my hands, beaming with pride.

"Stella, didn't I do amazing?"

The vibrant, eager boy from my memory overlapped with the cold, imposing man standing before me.

That youthful warmth had long been extinguished.

"Move out," Lucian ordered, his tone frigid.

He had given this apartment to Julian.

Once a gift was given, it was Julian's right to decide who lived here. But now that Lucian had explicitly demanded I leave, I couldn't shamelessly stay.

I glanced over at the couch. Julian was still out cold.

"I'll pack up and leave as soon as he sobers up."

"I'll take care of him," Lucian spat, staring at me with the pure disgust one might reserve for a common thief. "Pack your bags and get out right now."

I spun around, marched into the bedroom, and yanked my clothes from the closet one by one.

As I zipped up my suitcase, a suffocating wave of despair washed over me. It felt exactly like five years ago, when I was unceremoniously banished from the Lockwood estate.

Except this time, it felt even more pathetic.

Back then, I was filled with fiery resentment.

But looking back now, I had been living under the Lockwood family's roof, eating their food, and relying on Mr. Lockwood's charity just to get an education. Even if I shattered my bones working for them, it wouldn't have been enough to repay that debt.

They had simply cut off their charity. I had no right to hold a grudge.

I dragged my luggage out of the bedroom.

Julian was still dead to the world. Lucian sat in the armchair, scrolling through his phone, refusing to even acknowledge my presence.

"Get out."

He looked like the very sight of me made him sick to his stomach.

Knowing my place, I stepped out and shut the door behind me.

...

Early the next morning, the moment I arrived at the office, Julian called me.

"He tells you to move out, and you just roll over and do it? Are you a pushover?"

I booted up my computer.

"He gave you that apartment. There's no point in starting a war over it."

Julian fell silent on the other end of the line before sighing heavily. "Where are you staying, then?"

"I booked a hotel for now. I'll look for an apartment in the next few days. It's not like I'm homeless."

I paused, twisting a pen in my hand. "We're only staying in Veridia City for six months, right?"

Julian's parents had passed away when he was young. His grandparents heavily favored Lucian and barely gave Julian a second thought.

He had no deep ties to Veridia City; this was just a temporary corporate transfer. Before we moved, he promised me we wouldn't be here for long.