Chapter 5

Hargrove Myers remained silent. Norwell Martinez reminded him, "Hargrove, the reason you approached Tia Brown in the first place was to wait for this day—when May Cross would come back to you. Victory is within reach now. You mustn't hesitate." "I'm not hesitating." "Good. Hargrove, you've always loved May. She left you because she saw Tia Brown bringing you cookies and misunderstood your relationship. It was because of Tia Brown that May left you. She's the one to blame for everything. Whatever she's suffering now, she deserves it." Deserves it? Back then, when Tia Brown brought him cookies, she hadn't known about his relationship with May Cross. Maybe she had a slight crush on him, but does a girl giving cookies to someone she likes mean she deserves to have her organs harvested and her blood drained? Wasn't this revenge far too extreme for her? Hargrove Myers took a deep breath and said heavily, "I understand what you're saying. Don't worry, I know what to do." "But I can't help feeling... something's off with you. It's like you're starting to feel sorry for Tia Brown." "I'm not!" Hargrove Myers interrupted him urgently, as if the accusation hit a nerve. His denial was almost too fierce. "Don't say that! I love May. If you keep this nonsense up, we can't even be friends anymore!" Norwell Martinez simply sighed. "Hargrove, as long as you know what you're doing. I'm just reminding you—don't lose yourself in this." After hanging up, Hargrove Myers leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. Three years ago, May Cross had left with finality. No matter how desperately he begged or how much he tried to explain that he and Tia Brown had no relationship, she wouldn't listen. He had chased her to the airport, still pleading for her to believe him as she stood at the gate. But May Cross had only said one thing: "Want me to believe you? Prove it." So, he had deliberately approached Tia Brown—first treating her with care and attention until she fell for him, then hurting her in every possible way—all to prove to the distant May Cross that he had absolutely no feelings for Tia Brown. He had been ruthless, cruel, and calculating, every day hoping that May Cross would see his "proof" and come back to him. Now, May Cross had finally noticed his efforts and was responding more warmly with each interaction. So why wasn't he as thrilled as he had imagined? Shouldn't he be ecstatic, celebrating with his friends, buying new furniture and decorations to suit May's tastes, filling his car with 9,999 roses, and waiting for her at the airport? And yet, he felt... empty. From the hospital room, he could hear Tia Brown talking softly on the phone. She sounded weak, but her voice still carried its usual warmth. "…Thank you so much, Timothy. I fell ill suddenly and couldn't help with the project. You've carried it all by yourself." "…Let me treat you to a meal tomorrow to thank you for taking care of me all these years." "…Alright, tomorrow afternoon, at that little private restaurant near the east gate of the school. I'll see you there." Bang! Hargrove Myers stormed in, slamming her phone onto the bedside table with a loud thud. Tia Brown jumped, startled. She frowned. "What are you doing?" Hargrove Myers looked angry. "Just putting your phone down. What, did I interrupt your lovely chat with Timothy?" "You..." He strode over, snatched the phone from her hands, and coldly addressed the person on the other end. "Tia's still in the hospital. How could you make a sick person drag herself out to treat you to a meal? What are you playing at?" Tia Brown was livid. "Don't twist my words! He's my friend, and he's helped me a lot. Give me back my phone!" "Timothy? He's trying to pursue you, isn't he?" "Hargrove Myers, what nonsense are you talking about—" "Perfect. Let me ask him directly." Hargrove Myers pressed the speakerphone button. Tia Brown was furious. "Hargrove Myers!!!" But then Timothy's calm, gentle voice came through. "Yes." Tia Brown froze in shock. Hargrove Myers sneered. "Well, you don't stand a chance. Tia Brown is my girlfriend now." Timothy chuckled softly. "For now. But not forever." "She'll always be mine. Give up. You have no chance." "Oh, I do. Mr. Myers, you'll be leaving Tia Brown soon, won't you?" Hargrove Myers' expression suddenly changed. "What do you know?" Timothy's voice remained calm. "Mr. Myers, the real question is—what do you think I know?"