I Was Never Yours

Daryl’s words had been the final straw that broke her sister’s spirit.

Compared to Raymond, Daryl was even more repulsive—so much so that just thinking about him made Angelique feel sick.

She took the empty seat beside him, tilting her head slightly as she flashed a polite, friendly smile.

“I look forward to learning from you.”

Even if she was just a lowly scholarship student, Daryl wouldn’t outright reject a girl’s goodwill.

“Likewise.” His tone was amicable, but there was an unmistakable distance in his smile.

“Tsk, another seductive little fox.” The voice dripped with contempt.

Angelique turned to the source—it was Daphne.

She was twirling a metal pen between her fingers, legs crossed, making no effort to hide the disgust in her eyes.

“What are you looking at? Do you really think a filthy nobody like you has the right to look at me?”

Daphne had been in a foul mood all morning. She had taken the time to style her hair and perfect her makeup, all in hopes of seeing Raymond. Yet, she hadn’t even caught a glimpse of him.

To make matters worse, a scholarship student had transferred in.

A parasite in Class A! The kind she despised the most.

And of all things, this one had the audacity to be pretty.

Even if she refused to admit it, Daphne couldn’t ignore how stunning Angelique’s face was.

Angelique shrank slightly in her seat, avoiding further provocation. She busied herself by taking things out of her backpack one by one.

Then, suddenly—a metal ID badge slipped out and clattered onto the marble floor with a sharp, piercing sound.

The noise immediately caught Daphne’s attention.

It was a minor incident, nothing of note—yet Angelique inhaled sharply as if she had been caught committing a crime. She hastily crouched down, pressing a hand over the name on the badge as if trying to hide it.

The more she tried to conceal it, the more curious others became.

She could feel Daphne’s prying gaze boring into her back.

Beneath the curtain of her dark hair, Angelique’s lips curled ever so slightly.

—

When lunchtime arrived, Angelique casually stepped out of the classroom.

As she passed by the window, she caught sight of Daphne heading toward her desk.

Satisfied, she continued on her way.

She ran all the way to the greenhouse, but no matter where she looked, Raymond was nowhere to be found.

“So, he’s already gone?” she muttered to herself, a trace of disappointment in her voice.

“Well, well. Didn’t expect the uniform to suit you this well.”

A familiar, lazy voice echoed from above.

Angelique looked up—just in time to see a figure in white leap down from the tree, landing gracefully right in front of her.

His sharp, striking features invaded her field of vision, momentarily stunning her.

She took a couple of steps back in reflex only to stumble.

The heels of her leather shoes wobbled beneath her, and she pitched backward.

But before she could hit the ground, a strong arm caught her by the waist.

Raymond had steadied her.

Heart still pounding, she let out a shaky breath and lifted her face, her bright eyes locking onto his.

“Mr. Ainsworth, thank you! You’ve already helped me twice today.”

Raymond said nothing.

Instead, he cupped her face, pulling it closer.

His thumb traced lightly along the edge of her eye, watching as her lashes trembled, as unshed tears pooled at the corners.

A single drop spilled over, sliding down his thumb and trailing along the back of his hand, leaving a damp, glistening streak in its wake.

“Angelique, did you forget?” His voice was low, teasing. “You’re my slave. You should be calling me ‘Master.’”

“Huh? You know my name?”

Raymond gave her a look as if she were the biggest fool alive.

“Did you forget my name?” His voice was light and playful. His hands, however, had already found their way behind her ear, toying with her soft, round earlobe, rolling it gently between his fingers.