Chapter 3: Rumors, Rivals, and a Public Kiss

Next day at school, I’m a bundle of nerves.

English Club? Nathan will try to “accidentally” bump into me—nope, dodging that. Music room? He’ll be all brooding prince on the cello—hard pass. Cafeteria? He’ll get surrounded and humiliated… Ugh, fine, I’ll just take a different route.

Eyes follow me everywhere, whispers trailing behind. I can feel them crawling up my back. Oh right, yesterday’s drama is probably all over Instagram. I’m the girl who tried to punch way above her weight. Great.

Suddenly, someone tugs my sleeve. I turn—handsome upperclassman, face bright red. I take a step back, then another. Is he about to throw eggs at me?

“Hey, can I get your Instagram?” he stammers, blushing.

What is happening? I’m lost.

Then two girls appear, starry-eyed. “Wow! That’s the latest limited-edition bag—I’ve only seen it on TikTok! Can we touch it?”

I nod, a little dazed.

“Really? Can we follow you on Instagram?”

Wait. This kind of attention is supposed to be Sierra Monroe’s thing.

The original Autumn was a school pariah—a bully, hated by all. She never got this kind of star treatment. The crowd grows, and suddenly I feel guilty for no reason.

A cold gaze drills into my back. There, in the sunlight, Nathan stands—picture-perfect, but with eyes like ice. Bad sign. Seriously bad.

An hour later, the homeroom teacher’s droning up front. I’m… scrolling my phone. My feed’s full of Carter and Sierra hugging, with clickbait headlines like:

"Slum Girl Climbs the Social Ladder"

"How to Level Up as a Gold Digger"

"The Untold Secret Love Life of the Campus Queen"

I’m dying—this is so over-the-top I want to applaud.

“Autumn Caldwell, you seem very happy. You’ll be in charge of our class’s performance this time.” The teacher glares at me and walks out.

School showcase?! In the book, the original bribed her way into this spot to impress Nathan. Now it just lands in my lap? Ugh.

I call the butler to sort things out, but my phone goes dead—just black.

I stomp to the back row and confront Nathan.

“Was this you?”

In the novel, besides being broke and scheming, the male lead is basically a walking cheat code: cello, judo, hacking, chess… Later, he pulls out a new romantic trick every day to cheer up bedridden Sierra. Not my circus, not my monkeys.

Still, he’s a scary jerk—wants to ruin my face and steal my heart!

Nathan just stares at me, all deep and unreadable.

With that face so close, I struggle to keep my cool. He looks like he wants to say something but bites it back—adorable, honestly. My heart pounds. Dammit, why is he so attractive?

“You can bully me, but you can’t bully him!” Suddenly, Sierra Monroe’s voice cuts through the tension. She’s at the door, righteous and ready to fight.

Sierra swoops in to save the cute guy, and the classroom loses its mind. The boos are loud, and I can feel the daggers in their eyes. I’m the villain, no contest.

Seriously? I didn’t even do anything!

In the plot, I’m supposed to throw a tantrum, slap people, and give the male lead a reason to hate me—then after marriage, he’ll make me pay: drama, abuse, disfigurement, and stealing my heart…

Thinking of the original’s fate, I shiver. Hard pass.

Bang—Carter Bennett bursts in, glaring like he’s about to explode.

“Autumn Caldwell! I’m warning you, don’t throw your weight around! Sierra’s the one I like now!”

I look around. Everyone’s eyes are practically sparkling with gossip.

Nathan leans against the wall, grinning like he’s at the movies, eyebrows up, eyes bright.

Great, the whole cast is here.

I stroll over, snatch a book from Nathan’s desk, and shake out a photo—a graduation pic of Nathan and Sierra. The perfect couple: pretty boy, pretty girl.

“Huh? So they’re the real pair!”

Cue the gossip explosion. People are whispering, phones out. Carter goes even redder, staring at Sierra like his whole world just collapsed.

“What’s going on?”

Sierra’s frozen. She and Nathan made a secret ten-year promise: if her heart could be cured, she’d marry him. She can’t say it—too much at stake. The gossip is deafening. She covers her face and bolts, sobbing.

Carter chases after her, desperate for answers.

Finally—the truth is out. So satisfying.

I’m about to slip away when a strong arm yanks me back. Nathan pulls me close—dangerous, magnetic, and so close I can barely breathe.

My mind blanks. The world shrinks to just him. My breath stutters. Help.

“If you like me, just say it. No need to stalk me like this,” he teases, voice low and velvet-smooth, eyes sharp as ice.

This is new—and terrifying. It’s like being buried alive in a feeling I can’t name.

“I—” I try to explain, but he cuts me off.

“I hacked your phone. No cash payback. But maybe… you can pay me in person.” His voice drops, cocky and close, breath tickling my ear.

My heart’s pounding so hard I can barely think. My cheeks are on fire. My brain’s screaming for help, but my body’s just… stuck.

Night falls. I’m drowning my sorrows in wine coolers, racking my brain for any way to escape Nathan’s clutches. Seriously, if you have ideas, send help.

The plot’s gone completely off the rails. He’s not just sneaky—he’s gone full alpha, and I’m not ready for this level of drama.

“I heard you’re into some broke guy?” Mom bursts in, all business.

If this goes like the book, Mom’s about to whip out a blank check and try to buy off Nathan. My nerves are shot.

“No! I like rich guys!” I protest, but I still feel weirdly guilty. Why?

“Sweetie, it’s fine to date, but for marriage, you need someone who’s your equal. That’s the only way to be happy,” Mom says, all earnest wisdom.

I nod so hard my neck hurts.

“Mom, I need to buy clothes for the showcase.”

“Buy whatever you want!”

I should be thrilled, but surrounded by all this luxury, my heart feels… weirdly empty. It’s a gut punch.

And then, out of nowhere, Nathan’s dark, gorgeous eyes flash through my mind… Ugh.

A week later, the showcase is a big deal. Sierra does a classical dance in a white silk dress—she’s like a swan, a queen, the whole package. Instantly, she’s the new campus goddess.

In the book, I tried to outdo her with my own dance and crashed and burned. This time, I’m smarter—I pick piano, my secret weapon.

But when I get on stage, Nathan’s suddenly there with a cello. “Duet,” he says, cool as ice. No room to argue.

He’s the wolf, lurking, eyes locked on his prey. Step by step, I’m walking into his trap.

My solo becomes a duet—piano and cello. The performance is electric, the whole school buzzing.

Sierra’s eyes go red. She keeps telling herself Nathan’s just acting, just doing it for revenge, but she’s so jealous she can barely stand it.

Carter’s watching from the wings, regret all over his face. That’s what you get, buddy.

When I step offstage, Nathan kisses me—right there, in front of everyone. “From now on, you’re my girlfriend.”

I freeze. The auditorium goes wild—shouts, squeals, and my face is probably the color of a tomato.

Next day, the school’s a circus. Everyone says Nathan’s with me because he owes me money. Sure, whatever. I’m not falling for that trap.

That kiss? I’m pretending it never happened. Just a weird dream—like a glitch in the Matrix.

But after class, Nathan corners me, shyly handing over snacks. “Here.” His voice is soft, his smile shy, cheeks a little pink.

My heart skips. Oh no. This is way too cute.

“No,” I blurt, shoving him away. Who knows if he poisoned it? Gotta stay sharp.

The snacks hit the floor—coffee and sandwiches everywhere. The class laughs, and Nathan’s smile fades, his blush draining away.

I almost want to help. Almost.

I remember in the book, Nathan ate just one meal a week to save money for Sierra’s medicine. He was proud, cold, but always had a soft spot for her.

Now, this broke guy’s buying food for me? Plot twist! My brain short-circuits.

A few minutes later, guilt wins out. I crouch down to help clean up. The food’s still warm.

Suddenly, his hand covers mine—long fingers, gentle grip. My breath catches. I look up, and he’s looking at me with so much affection it hurts.

“It’s okay, I’ll get you something else later.” His voice is gentle, like sunlight after rain.

Oh my god. Who could resist?

That sweet, earnest face—where’s the villain now?

I try to remember he’s supposed to be the scary bad guy. I’m almost calm when—

A soft cough. Under the trees, Sierra Monroe stands, small and pale, eyes wide.

She just finished tutoring, dragged herself back to school, hoping to see Nathan—only to find us together.

Her big eyes shimmer, full of heartbreak. Ouch.

“It’s a misunderstanding! There’s nothing between us.” I shove Nathan toward her. Please, take your wolf back!

But he won’t move. “Autumn, don’t be silly.” He ruffles my hair, smiling like I’m his whole world.

I… Even if I tried, I couldn’t live this down.

Sierra’s tears fall, and my heart aches. She leaves her lunchbox and walks away, shoulders shaking.

My brain explodes. No! Come back! Take this guy with you!

“Silly girl, the only one I like is you.” Nathan’s voice is low, magnetic, and I can barely breathe.

Can someone hit pause? Please?