Ficorpio
Chapter 1
I deliberately tore a hole in my stockings, but my girlfriend was still cold.
Desperate not to give up, I changed into the new little dress I’d bought—only to see the comments floating before my eyes.
【The Rival Heroine still has no idea. If her roommate hadn’t used her photos to date the Heroine online, how could the Heroine have mistaken her for someone else and fallen in love with her?】
【I’m dying. The Heroine isn’t interested in the Rival Heroine at all. Even once a day is just a Couple Obligation the Rival Heroine forces her to fulfill. She doesn’t actually think the Heroine likes her, does she?】
【Back then, the roommate’s darling was so heartbroken after being mistaken for someone else that she went abroad. Now that the real heroine is finally back in the picture, the Heroine is about to chase her wife like crazy—and brutally torment the Rival Heroine who stole her identity~】
So that was why Serena Ashford had fallen in love with me at first sight.
That night, she came in with a cold expression, clearly unwilling to fulfill our obligation.
For the first time, I dodged her embrace and lowered my eyes.
“I’m getting a little tired of it. You don’t have to do this anymore.”
“Tired of it?”
Serena looked as though she hadn’t understood.
She lowered her eyes to me, her gaze drifting slowly downward.
That was when I remembered what I was wearing—the new dress I’d bought.
The sheer black halter neckline framed my shoulders and neck, leaving my entire back bare. My pale skin showed faintly through my long hair. The waist was cinched tight, while the soft, flared miniskirt revealed glimpses of my long, fair legs. Two narrow strips of gauze hung from one side.
Every review had said the same thing: Perfect for women who love women! Any woman would be unable to look away!
When Serena had first walked through the door, she really had stood there for a long time.
I thought she liked what she saw.
But now, after reading the comments, I understood.
She was only annoyed that I was using this sort of thing to force her to complete another Couple Obligation.
The realization made the tip of my nose sting.
I yanked the covers over myself and wrapped them tightly around my body.
“I didn’t put it on for you.”
The bedroom fell abruptly silent.
Only the comments continued to flash.
【I’m dead. The Rival Heroine doesn’t actually think this little seduction game will make the Heroine jealous, does she?】
【How could she? The Heroine can’t wait to break up with her. She’ll only be angry about being cheated on, then she’ll give the Rival Heroine the cold shoulder.】
【Keep acting out, Rival Heroine! Go all the way! We’re just waiting for the identity theft to be exposed, followed by a humiliating breakup and bankruptcy with mountains of debt!】
Serena’s gaze turned icy.
After a long moment, she finally spoke.
“Okay. I understand.”
Then she turned and walked into the bathroom.
Chapter 2
The sound of running water continued for a long time. It never stopped.
I’d thought she’d get angry. I thought she’d demand an explanation.
In the end, it had all been wishful thinking.
She would rather stay in the bathroom all night than see me.
I changed out of the little dress I’d chosen so carefully and shoved it into the back of my closet.
Then I switched off the bedside lamp and curled up alone beneath the covers.
I was so cold.
She hadn’t even asked me anything.
And yet my chest felt as though it had been stuffed with damp cotton.
The ache was unbearable.
After that day, I moved into the guest room.
I stopped waiting for Serena to come home. I stopped texting her, too.
I used to cling to her constantly, always looking for ways to get her attention. No matter how small the matter, I had to tell her about it.
I would act spoiled, play little tricks, and demand gifts. Every morning, I would wind my arms around her and refuse to let go until she coaxed me into a good mood before leaving for work.
When she came home late, I would send her pictures of little dresses and tease her on purpose.
[Which one do you like, sweetheart?]
[It’s so late. When are you coming home?]
[You’re not sleeping with me again? You’re only going to sleep?]
Serena’s replies were always painfully brief.
[They’re all fine.]
[I’m busy.]
[Go to sleep early.]
I had always assumed she was simply elegant and aloof, the kind of person who didn’t understand romance.
Only now did I realize that she had probably been sick of me for a long time.
She just couldn’t say so outright while we were still officially together.
It was nearly noon when Martha Dawson came out of the kitchen.
“Miss Claire, aren’t you taking lunch to the young heiress today?”
I used to bring Serena lunch at the office all the time.
After we started sleeping in separate rooms, she never came looking for me. So I stopped going, too.
I was about to refuse when the Supernatural Comment Feed appeared.
[The rival heroine can’t seriously think ignoring the heroine for two days will make her realize she can’t live without her, can she?]
[I’m dying. While the rival heroine is playing hard to get, the roommate has already gone to the heroine’s company. The two of them are about to finally recognize each other.]
[The heroine simply isn’t interested in the rival heroine. Once she meets the person she truly likes, she’ll understand what real physical attraction feels like. My guess? By tonight, they’ll be all over each other while the rival heroine spends the night alone.]
I stared at the final comment.
Something seemed to clamp down hard on my chest, leaving me struggling to breathe.
I had already decided to walk away.
But the moment I imagined Serena holding Celeste Monroe that way, kissing her with a tenderness she had never shown me, the bridge of my nose began to sting.
Then I changed my mind.
“Martha, put it in the insulated lunch box.”
“I’m going to the office.”
At least for now, I was still Serena’s girlfriend.
Chapter 3
But when I reached the office, I realized I was late.
Through the revolving doors, I spotted Serena at once.
She was dressed in a black suit, her long hair lifting gently in the breeze. Her features were flawless, her expression cool and composed.
She was walking out of the elevator beside Celeste Monroe.
Celeste wore a white office suit, her long hair swept up and her knee-length skirt perfectly pressed. She carried a folder of project documents in her arms.
One was dressed in black, the other in white.
One was icy and aristocratic; the other, poised and capable.
Standing side by side, they were a painfully perfect match.
Celeste turned her head and said something to Serena.
Serena lowered her eyes slightly, her pace slowing to match Celeste’s.
It was a rare display of patience from her.
【Ahhh, I’m shipping this height difference with all my heart!】
【Baby Celeste is finally back! A clearheaded career woman and a stunning dominant billionaire are the perfect match!】
【Unlike a certain clingy wife who only knows how to deliver lunch and check up on her partner. She can’t survive without her other half.】
【Rival heroine, don’t go over there! Don’t ruin their private time together. This is seriously disgusting.】
【She isn’t actually planning to use her girlfriend status to assert herself over our baby, is she? She stole that relationship and still has the nerve to claim it?】
The foot I had stepped forward slowly retreated.
The Insulated Lunch Box hung heavily from my hand, weighing just as heavily on my heart.
Serena already had someone to eat lunch with.
Why would she need me?
I lowered my head and was about to turn away when someone suddenly called out behind me.
“Vivi?”
I turned around.
My younger cousin, Noah Ashford, was wearing an intern’s ID badge.
He looked at me, then at the lunch box in my hand, and his eyes lit up.
“Vivi, what are you doing here? Did you come all the way to bring me lunch?”
He had only recently returned from abroad. When he was accepted for an internship here, he had been thrilled for days.
Not wanting anything to interfere with his internship, I had deliberately kept my relationship with Serena a secret.
I forced a smile.
“Yeah.”
“I know you’ve been working hard, so I brought it for you.”
Noah accepted the lunch box, looking genuinely touched.
“Seriously? I thought you only cooked for your girlfriend.”
A sharp pain struck my chest. Pretending it was nothing, I gave him a light shove.
“Eat it or don’t.”
“I’m eating, I’m eating. I’m starving. Thanks, Vivi!”
He took the lunch box and threw his arms around me in an excited bear hug.