Rich Sickly Love Pretender

The bumpkin I got involved with turned out to be a handsome yet obsessive guy.

How could I get rid of this person?

Could anyone help me? It was urgent, extremely urgent!

1

This was the tenth argument of my parents this week, setting a new record. Listening to their bickering downstairs, I found it amusing. See, this was what an arranged marriage led to.

This time, the focus of their argument was me, their disappointing daughter, Chelsey Rogers, which was me. my father wanted me to continue attending the best high school in the city, while my mother, knowing I wasn't cut out for academics, planned to send me abroad. Thus, they couldn't agree and kept arguing.

As for me, I didn't care. It didn't matter where I studied; either way, I was just drifting through life.

I was the only heiress of the biggest Jewelry Group in the town. With my family's wealth, I could live a carefree life of leisure without ever needing to learn anything.

So, studying and all that was just fluff; I just needed to enjoy life.

A few months later, I stood before the grand and elegantly decorated school gate. I didn't expect that my mother had actually compromised with my father this time.

Lincoln Honors Academic High School was the best in the city, boasting the finest faculty. Students here either had strong family backgrounds or excelled academically.

However, none of that mattered to me. The key was that I could hang out with my old lads again.

Dora Rogers, the eldest daughter of the Rogers family and one of my many my lads, had a fiery temper and a mouth full of sass. She completely lacked the demeanor of a lady, much like me. At this moment, she was leaning against the gate with her arms crossed, a lollipop in her mouth, wearing what she thought was a charming smile, looking every bit like a rebel without a cause.

"Dear Chelsey, I've missed you so much. Give me a kiss, " she said. I was used to her antics and didn't even spare her a glance, heading straight to the classroom.

I slept through the entire morning in class, only waking up as the last lesson was about to end. The classroom was filled with a bunch of dull students, utterly boring, except for one person who caught my attention. In the front row sat a boy sporting a bowl-cut hairstyle. His bangs were so long that they covered his eyes. Coupled with thick glasses, he looked hopelessly out of style.

I had never seen someone with such a "distinctive" appearance before, and I couldn't help but be intrigued by him.

Dora, sitting next to me, noticed my interest. "Wow, you're not into that guy, are you? Such a peculiar taste, " she remarked. I remained silent and rolled my eyes at her.

2

As soon as the bell rang, I grabbed Dora and headed to the cafeteria. The place was crowded, but I spotted an empty seat at the table where the guy with the bowl-cut hairstyle was sitting. So, I walked over and took a seat across from him without hesitation.

That boy paused his eating, glanced at me, then continued eating as if nothing had happened. I kept glancing at him, curious about his appearance.

"Hey, Chelsey, " Brad Bennett suddenly appeared beside me.

Ugh, another one of my old lads had arrived.

Brad, for some reason, was eyeing the guy across from me with hostility.

"Hey, buddy, your style is quite unique, " he said, reaching to take the guy's glasses. I didn't stop him, curious to see what the guy looked like without them.

But unexpectedly, the guy firmly grabbed Brad's wrist and gently pushed him back, causing Brad to stumble a few steps.

Dora and I were both stunned. Brad was known for his size and strength, yet this guy had easily stopped him.

While I was still in shock, the guy had already left. But before he did, he seemed to glance at me, and that one look made my hair stand on end. Though I couldn't see his eyes, I felt as if I were being watched by a predator, with no escape.

After lunch, I sat in the classroom, listening to Dora's gossip. "I've been digging for an hour, and all I found out is that the bowl-cut boy's name is Shawn Kim. Nothing else. To keep his background so secret, he must be someone significant." Chelsey, we should probably steer clear of someone like that, " Dora continued to chatter, but I wasn't listening.

"Shawn Kim, " I murmured, "that name doesn't suit him at all." I couldn't help but recall that hair-raising feeling.

Finally, the school day ended. After saying goodbye to Dora, I walked home alone. I could have had the driver pick me up, but after lying on the desk all day, I wanted to take a walk by myself.

3

The area around Lincoln Honors Academic High School was a bustling shopping district, and further ahead was my complex. The security here had always been good, so I never expected to witness a gang fight, and to stumble upon it by chance.

On a deserted street, a group of thugs was beating up a young boy. The sound of insults and fists hitting the guy filled the street, yet no security guard came to stop it. This street usually had guards patrolling, but now, with such a commotion, no one noticed.

Someone was surrounded, and I couldn't see his condition, but there was a pool of blood on the ground. I frowned; at this rate, someone could die.

"Hey! What's the ability in bullying one in number?" I shouted, drawing the thugs' attention.

They stopped hitting the guy, and I finally saw him clearly.

Oh my, it was Shawn.

"Chick, meddling isn't a good habit, " said a greasy middle-aged man with yellow teeth, a cigarette in one hand and a wooden stick in the other. It was obvious he was a thug.

He reached out to make an unwanted advance, but I grabbed his arm and flipped him over my shoulder.

"Sorry, I'm an expert-level judo practitioner, " I said.

Having received top martial arts training since childhood, taking down a dozen thugs was no problem for me.

Seeing my skills, the thugs knew they were no match for me and wisely decided to leave.

"Damn it. Let's go, " the yellow-toothed man said, scrambling to his feet and running away, followed by his lackeys.

The small street was now empty except for Shawn and me.

Shawn kept his head down, and I couldn't see his face. "Shawn, I'm Chelsey Jackson. I sat across from you at lunch. Do you remember me?"

He finally reacted.

Slowly, he lifted his head. His thick glasses were gone, and blood from his forehead had soaked his long bangs, revealing his face for the first time.

His features were strikingly handsome, with deep-set eyes and a prominent nose.

I was speechless, staring at his face.

"Thank you, Chelsey, for your help. I don't know what would have happened otherwise, " Shawn said, finally getting up from the ground.

He was badly injured, blood still flowing. I hurried to support him, and I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but when I touched his arm, his body tensed up.

Shawn was tall, and I only reached his chest. Though I was supporting him, his towering figure enveloped me, as if holding me in his arms.

We were so close that I could even smell a faint minty scent on him.

Hmm, it was quite pleasant.

But now wasn't the time to think about that. "You're hurt; you should go to the hospital for treatment, " I said.

"No need, I can handle it myself, " Shawn replied, pushing my hand away and leaving on his own.

4

Shawn didn't come to class.

I looked at his empty seat, recalling the events of last night. It was clear to me that he was severely injured and must be recuperating at home.

Dora noticed my absent-minded demeanor and, connecting it with Shawn's absence from school for a day, gave me a mischievous grin. "What's up? You look so lost in thought. Have you really fallen for that nerd?"

I couldn't be bothered to respond to Dora. Instead, I turned over, found a comfortable position, and drifted off to sleep.

Hmph, no more thinking. Wasn't a good nap just the best?

Surprisingly, Shawn didn't show up for an entire week.

That evening, as usual, I walked back home.

My parents were each sitting at opposite ends of the sofa, far apart from each other.

It was rare to see them sitting together peacefully, given how they usually couldn't stand the sight of each other.

I walked through the living room like a ghost, ignoring everyone, not wanting to exchange a single word with them.

"Chelsey, how can you come home and not even greet your old man?" My father couldn't stand my disregard for him. But I didn't care. I continued upstairs without stopping. "You're the reason she's turned out this way, "

my father vented his frustration on my mother when I ignored him.

"Then why didn't you try raising her properly? You're never home, always out with god knows how many mistresses," my mother retorted immediately. Perhaps realizing she shouldn't have said such things in front of me, my mother fell silent. Even my father was quiet.

In that moment, I felt as if a heavy stone was pressing down on my heart, making it hard to breathe.

"Chelsey, " my father finally spoke. But I interfered, "enough. If you two can't get along, just get a divorce. Don't worry about me; I can manage just fine on my own." I didn't want to hear any more. I just wanted to get away from them, away from this house.

I retreated to my room. But soon, the shouting downstairs resumed, mixed with the sound of objects being smashed to the floor. I felt nothing but disgust and nausea. Who would have thought that the couple, who appeared so loving to outsiders, would curse each other like enemies?

Gradually, everything returned to silence.

Just when I thought the day's drama was over, my mother entered my room.

Alone with me, she seemed nervous and uneasy.

She hesitated for a long time before finally making up her mind. "Chelsey, your father and I have arranged a marriage for you.

We didn't inform you beforehand, but don't worry, the young man is very outstanding. You'll definitely like him."

I didn't react, just stared at her with sarcasm and mockery.

"So, ruining your own marriage wasn't enough, now you want to ruin mine too." my mother could never stand anyone commenting on her marriage. My words clearly stung her, and she turned pale, trembling all over.

"Slap!"

I could have easily dodged that slap, but I didn't.

"Chelsey, I'm sorry. I was too angry and lost control, " my mother said, trying to calm down. She gently held my face, checking for any injuries.

"Chelsey, I know this is strange for you. But the young man is the son of the Kims, the real estate tycoon Shawn's family. As long as we marry into the Kims, our jewelry business will flourish."

"In the end, it's all for your own interest."

"No, everything I do is for you. Your father is always out, who knows when he'll bring back an illegitimate child to fight you for the family assets. As long as you marry into the Kims, they'll protect you, and the Jacksons' assets will be yours."

"I see." I couldn't bear to listen any longer. It was absurd and hypocritical. How could I ever have hope for such a family?

The next day, I was taken to the Kims.

My parents and the Kims exchanged pleasantries, leaving me alone to daydream.

"Chelsey, do you have time? My son is upstairs. Why don't you go chat with him? Young people always have common topics, " my parents both gave me meaningful looks.

I had no choice but to go upstairs to meet my fiancé.

5

On the second floor, only one room had its door slightly ajar. I guessed it was Shawn's room.

I knocked on the door, but there was no response.

Just as I was about to leave, a hand suddenly pulled me into the room.

The room was pitch black, and I could only make out a tall figure pinning me against the door.

I struggled, but couldn't move.

The man's warm breath brushed against my neck, making my heart race with panic.

"Got you, " he said, his voice playful and delighted, like a child who had caught his favorite toy.

Yet, the voice was unmistakably familiar.

It was Shawn, who had been recuperating at home for a week!

Shawn and I stared at each other, neither of us speaking.

Finally, I broke the silence.

"Shawn, aren't you going to explain?" I never imagined that this seemingly ordinary classmate was actually the son of a real estate tycoon. No wonder he kept such a low profile at school.

"There's nothing to explain. The Kims offended someone in business, so to avoid unnecessary trouble, I had to hide my identity at school." Half of Shawn's face was hidden in the shadows, exuding a mysterious aura, while his eyes, exposed to the light, focused intently on me.

His gaze made me uncomfortable, and I felt an urge to leave.

Shawn suddenly lowered his eyes, no longer looking at me.

I exhaled a long breath, gradually relaxing. "What about the engagement?" I asked, addressing the most pressing issue.

"I don't know."

He seemed genuinely unaware, and I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

"Since you didn't know about the engagement beforehand, you must not want to marry me either.

We can work together to break off the engagement."

I was thrilled at the prospect of having an ally and eagerly shared my plan to sabotage the engagement with him.

Shawn remained silent throughout, but I didn't mind and kept talking non-stop.

It wasn't until my mother called me to go home that I reluctantly said goodbye.

As I turned to leave, I thought I heard him softly say, "I want the engagement."

I didn't hear it clearly and didn't pay it much mind.

After that, Shawn returned to school.

6

I watched him put on his usual shabby clothes again, feeling a bit thrown off.

During the break, I couldn't wait to drag him out of the classroom, moving so fast that even Barry Allen would be astonished.

"Shawn, I thought about it all night. My parents definitely won't agree to break off the engagement, so we have to start with your parents."

He readily agreed, "Alright, come to my house tonight."

And so, that evening, I went to the Kims again, planning to show off my spoiled behavior in front of Mr. Kim and make things difficult for their servants.

But can someone tell me what's going on now?

......

I stood in Shawn's room, staring at the wall covered in photos, questioning my own sanity.

I must be dreaming. Otherwise, how could I see Shawn's room filled with my photos, from elementary school to now?

I was utterly shocked.

What kind of stalker was he?

Suddenly, my eyes landed on a particular photo. It showed two children in hospital gowns, standing in front of a mental hospital.

It was like a punch to the gut.

I was certain the two kids in the photo were Shawn and me.

Did we know each other as children? And in a mental hospital? Did I have mental illness before? Why didn't I remember any of it?

In an instant, the world seemed to spin, and my head throbbed painfully. Finally, everything went black, and I fainted.

"Why did you have to see these? They'll only bring you pain." In the last moment before losing consciousness, I heard Shawn's voice.