Chapter 3

My boss replied very quickly.

"Then take the flight tomorrow morning."

After I received the screenshot of the ticket order, I called a ride-hailing car and turned off my phone.

Eric and Bella were still sharing their escape room experience with the staff.

I didn't wait anymore and walked straight out of the mall.

It was rush hour, so the car wouldn't arrive for another ten minutes.

I leaned against the bus stop sign, just barely able to stay standing.

Eric's voice suddenly rang out, carrying a hint of urgency.

"Lucy! Didn't I tell you to wait for us at the entrance? Why did you leave on your own?"

I looked at Eric and said directly,

"You and Bella were playing escape room. Staying there would only slow you down."

The moment the words fell, the atmosphere turned awkward beyond belief.

Bella took my hand.

"Lucy, saying that makes me really sad."

"If it bothers you that Eric played the escape room with me, then I won't play with him anymore."

I pushed her hand away and took a step back.

When Eric saw my movement, his tone turned unhappy.

"You insisted on leaving early, and now you're being sarcastic about it?"

Thinking of the cartoon shoulder bag on him, and thinking of how he had silently let people assume Bella was his girlfriend during the interview, my grievance surged up all at once, and even my voice started shaking.

"Eric, did you forget that I'm your girlfriend?"

I pointed at the bag on him.

"What kind of boyfriend carries his best friend's bag? And why didn't you say anything when the staff said you two were boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Seeing me cry, Eric sighed.

"When we were playing, Bella was handling the puzzles. Carrying a bag would've slowed her down, so I took it."

"If I explained that she wasn't my girlfriend, people who didn't know the situation might misunderstand her as the other woman. Then they might attack her."

"Lucy, you and she are best friends. You wouldn't want her to be misunderstood by other people, right?"

"Right now, the most important thing is getting your injury checked at the hospital."

Not wanting Bella to be misunderstood, so I, his real girlfriend, had to swallow it.

I gave a cold laugh and automatically put more distance between the two of them.

"I'll take a taxi to the hospital myself. You don't need to worry about it."

Eric's patience finally ran out.

"Lucy, I already explained it. What are you still making a scene for?"

As he spoke, he snatched my phone away, canceled my ride-hailing order, and then lifted me up in his arms and shoved me into the back seat.

"Whatever it is, we'll talk after you get your wound checked."

I pressed my lips together and said nothing.

Bella naturally sat in the front passenger seat, and Eric started the car.

It wasn't until we were almost at the hospital that Bella suddenly gasped.

"Buddy's home alone! Take me back first!"

Buddy was the dog she raised.

Bella's home and the hospital were in completely opposite directions. Dropping her off first and then coming back to the hospital would take at least two hours.

My wound was already swollen. I couldn't wait that long at all.

Eric glanced at me.

"Lucy, Buddy's been having some separation anxiety lately. We'll take Bella home first, then go to the hospital!"

He was the one who insisted on taking me to the hospital, and now he was the one asking me to wait.

My matters were always behind Bella's, and now they even had to come after Bella's dog.

My nails dug into my palm.

"Pull over! I'll go myself!"

Eric's voice suddenly turned cold.

"Lucy, I'm just asking you to wait a bit. Why are you acting up again?"

Looking at the impatience in Eric's eyes, the grievance and hurt in my heart surged out like a floodgate had been opened.

I wanted to ask him whether there was still room for me in his heart.

But in the end, I only gave a bitter laugh.

"Pull over."

Eric's patience was obviously worn out. He pulled the car over at the intersection.

He let me open the door myself and limp out of the car.