My Boyfriend Tried to Ruin Me for Her

A week before graduation, I learned the truth: my boyfriend planned to bring my parents to the ceremony—to humiliate me in front of everyone.

His roommate tried to stop him.

“Are you really going to drag Serene’s family scandal into her graduation? For Elowen? Her cruel parents will destroy her!”

“She’s finally healed enough to give her speech as an outstanding graduate. If you rip open her scars in public, do you think she’ll ever forgive you?”

Caius Blackthorn only smirked.

“Forgive me? She loves me too much to ever be angry.”

“The Outstanding Graduate honor should’ve been Elowen’s. Serene stole it.”

“She’s her adopted sister. Her life’s already miserable, yet she still bullies Elowen. This is her punishment. Once the scandal explodes, the Harrington Global position will go to Elowen—the rightful runner-up.”

I turned away in silence, pretending I hadn’t heard.

At the ceremony, I had just finished my speech when Elowen, the host, suddenly asked, “Your parents are here too. Why don’t you invite them up to celebrate?”

My body froze. Before I could answer, two furious men stormed the stage.

“Elowen, you unfilial daughter!”

——

I shrank into the shadows, listening from a distance.

“Caius,” someone warned, “be careful. Serene’s parents are monsters. What you’re doing is too cruel.”

Caius only sighed, his face full of disdain.

“Of course I know. Her father’s a gambler and drunk. Her mother’s greedy and heartless. Without me, she would’ve died a dozen times.”

“If they learn she’s won awards and a top job, they’ll bleed her dry. She’ll never escape them.”

“But Serene is your girlfriend!”

Caius' reply was soft, almost tender—then laced with venom.

“Of course I care for her. She’d die for me. But… she’s been with too many men. The thought of it disgusts me. Even if… she only did it to save me.”

My head spun. My legs gave way.

Last year, when I was waitressing at a bar, a group of drunk men cornered me. Caius tried to help and broke his arm in the fight. To make them release him, I followed them into the alley…

Since that night, he never touched me again.

I tried to explain. But he always silenced me, pulling me close as if in pain.

“Stop, Serene. Don’t say it. It’s my fault. I failed you. I have no right to touch you…”

I thought it was guilt. I thought it was love.

It wasn’t.

It was disgust.

Caius' voice cut through the air.

“I can’t leave her—responsibility won’t let me. But Elowen… she’s pure, kind. I won’t let her become another Serene. To protect her, I’ll do anything.”

Tears burned down my face. I bit my lip until it bled, forcing myself silent.

I had clawed my way out of the pit my parents left me in. I studied for scholarships, worked every spare hour, saved every cent. I thought I had finally found salvation.

But salvation had only turned into another prison.