They Took My Life

Seven Years of Lies

"Me? When did I ever ask her to go out and buy medicine for me? Which part of what I said made it about her? Why don't you just say she offered on her own?"

After living under the same roof for seven years, I finally saw clearly where Ian's heart had always belonged.

"Enough!"

Ian's shout cracked through the room, sharp and furious. I had never seen him lose control like that before, and for a second, I froze.

"I know you're petty, but Evie is your sister. You shouldn't treat her like this. Go back to your room."

He shoved me out the door. My head was already spinning, and I lost my balance, crashing hard to the floor. The pain that shot through me cleared my mind a little—but the four of them just stood there and watched coldly. Not one of them moved to help me up.

"Lexi, you can barely stand. Ian's just being kind. He wants you to get more rest."

Watching the four of them stand together against me like I was some outsider, my face burned with humiliation. My life felt like a complete failure.

And so, I turned and went back to my room.

When I woke up the next day, my head felt even hotter. I struggled to sit up and grabbed a thermometer.

102.2°F.

I didn't even know when the fever had started. If it kept going, I really might burn my brain out.

I let out a bitter laugh just as Ian suddenly pushed the door open and walked in. When he saw the thermometer, his brows knit slightly, as if he were concerned.

"You've got a fever this high, and you didn't take any medicine? What was all that fuss last night about, then? I've already sent your parents and Evie off. There's cold medicine at home. Just take some yourself."

Then he turned and left without another word.

I went to the cabinet and searched for the medicine. After digging around for a while, I finally found a tiny packet of cold medicine. Just as I was about to take it, I noticed it had already expired.

Maybe it was the fever, but my vision blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't hold back anymore. I crouched down and started crying.

I didn't know how long had passed before I finally stopped. When I stood up, my head swam, and I braced myself as I prepared to go out and buy medicine.

That was when I heard Ian, who had just come back, talking to Evie on the phone.

"You've got a fever too? You need to take care of yourself. You still have to sing when you get back, right? You can't ruin your voice."

"Ian, you're the only one who really cares about me. Mom and Dad just tell me to take more medicine."

Ian chuckled softly, clearly pleased by her words.

"Ian… about my situation… When are you going to tell Lexi?"

"Don't worry. All her money is with me. When I get back, I'll transfer it to you. There's no need to tell Lexi. Honestly, you're too naive. Why would you trust a classmate enough to take out an online loan for him? Now you're 380 thousand in debt, and you still don't want to report it?"

'Three hundred eighty thousand?'

I had worked nonstop every week, never even daring to go to the hospital when I was sick. After seven years, I had only managed to save 400 thousand. And now she said it so casually—as if just like that, most of it was gone.

And back then, Ian had clearly told me this money was for our future together.

"When we save up a million, we'll go back home, buy a house, and find stable jobs. We'll live a quiet, peaceful life."

He had held my calloused hands back then, looking at me with such tenderness.

Heat surged in my chest, as if mirroring the anger boiling inside me.

"Oh, Ian… they promised they'd pay me back. I just didn't want them to end up with a criminal record. I had no choice but to come to you. You mustn't tell Mom and Dad—they'd definitely call the police and get my classmate arrested. He's still just a kid."

Ian sighed helplessly and started reminding Evie not to be so soft-hearted again, warning her that she'd only get cheated again next time.

At that, I wondered, 'So they're using my money to pay off her debts?'