The Man I Shouldn't Have Loved

I was the belle of the school, good grades and all. But I wasn't the nerd they thought I was. I had been secretly dating my adopted brother's sworn enemy for three years.

Lucian Palma had a strong desire for intimacy, so I went along with him in unlocking countless places to make love.

He promised that he would marry me after graduation. Once he took over the family business from his wealthy father, he would make me the happiest woman alive.

I believed him, even indulging him in his kink of recording us sleeping together. Lucian assured me that those videos were for his eyes only, and that no one else would ever see them.

But then, I accidentally overheard a conversation between Lucian and his friends.

"Lucian, you had deliberately staged a hero saving the damsel in distress situation to make Nina Etienne fall for you, all just to get it back at your archnemesis, Aaron North. If he found out his little sister had been sleeping with you, wouldn't it kill him with rage?

"You've filmed hundreds of intimate videos, haven't you? When do you plan to release them? We'd love to see the nerd stripped bare under you."

I didn't confront him about this. Instead, I quietly walked away and agreed to meet the fiance my father had arranged for me.

My mind blanked when I heard the crowd bawl out in laughter.

"Aaron and Lucian had been archnemesis for so many years! Just because he's the heir to a famous Idalian gang, he thinks he can lord Lucian around! I can't wait to see his reaction when he sees the raunchy videos!"

Everyone was excited in the conversation without realizing someone was listening outside.

"Why so quiet, Lucian? You only got close to Nina to seek revenge on Aaron, right? Don't tell me you've fallen for her?"

"Fallen for her?" Lucian Palma, who had just called me 'Babe' a moment ago, snickered.

He added, "Aaron's my archnemesis; I want him dead. I was just thinking about the best time to show those videos."

Someone chimed in, "Why don't we do it at the graduation ball? Aaron will surely be there. I know it'll be glorious to see Aaron's reaction when he sees how freaky Nina is in bed."

Everyone was making noises in excitement and anticipation.

My mind was completely blank. I was baffled.

Did that mean that when Lucian rescued me back then, it was all part of a plan? He became my first boyfriend only to get back at Aaron?

If I had not heard their conversation today, I would still think Lucian loved me.

Just when I was about to break down, a wave of nausea overwhelmed me. I immediately ran to the toilet and heaved.

I sat on the toilet, unable to fathom the fact that everything between Lucian and I was just part of a scheme.

When I first heard of Lucian, I only knew him to be Aaron's enemy.