Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Cameron politely greeted her, though her phone kept buzzing with messages from Bradley.
Bradley had sent Cameron dozens of photos from the Saunders family Christmas dinner-an elaborate spread that looked absolutely delicious.
The Yates family had just started their Christmas meal, so Cameron returned the favor by snapping some photos to send back. ear we
Bradley: [Cam, next year we’ll be spending Christmas together.]
U.15 Mon, 4 Aug
Cameron replied briefly before focusing on dinner.
“Merry Christmas!” Everyone raised their glasses, and the atmosphere grew lively and warm. But Britney’s expression remained distant throughout, entirely out of sync with the festive mood around her.
It wasn’t that Britney didn’t want to smile-she simply couldn’t.
She had spent the entire day by the river, planning to end her life after midnight. She hadn’t expected Gavin to walk toward her.
The Yates family was kind to her, welcoming her with genuine warmth.
Britney forced a smile and raised her glass. “Merry Christmas!”
After finishing one glass, she poured herself another and drained it, then immediately reached for >
Jacqueline caught sight of this and quickly shot Gavin a meaningful look.
Gavin understood and took the glass from her hands. “Don’t just drink. Eat something.”
Britney lowered her eyes and finally picked up her fork. d.
After Christmas dinner, everyone went to the back garden to set off fireworks.
Cameron and Amelia were both delighted.
Jacqueline noticed Britney’s lack of enthusiasm and called Gavin aside. “Gavin, why don’t you take Ms.
Watson to rest? She looks exhausted.”
Gavin led Britney back to the guest room.
Amelia and Cameron had plenty of clothes with tags still on them. Gavin had someone bring a set for Britney to use as pajamas. He carefully showed her where to find the toiletries.
Britney watched him in silence.
“Ms. Watson, get some rest. Merry Christmas,” Gavin said.
“Gavin!” He turned to leave, but Britney grabbed the corner of his shirt.
Gavin looked down at her hand, clutching his shirt. “Ms. Watson, is there something else you need?”
Britney looked up, meeting his questioning gaze. Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared at him with an intensity that made his skin crawl. There was something final in her expression, something that unsettled him.
“Are you single?” Britney asked.
Gavin paused, then nodded honestly. “Yes, I’m single. You-“
Before he could finish, Britney suddenly stood on her toes, hooked her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips against his.
Gavin’s eyes widened in complete shock. He stared at Britney’s face just inches from his own, watching a tear slide down her cheek. After a few seconds, he pushed Britney away.
“Ms. Watson, what are you doing?” Gavin wiped his lips with the back of his hand.
Britney grabbed his shirt, her eyes red and swollen. “Don’t reject me.”
Without waiting for an answer, she kissed him again.
A month ago, her parents died in an accident. She became an orphan overnight.
She nearly couldn’t handle it. The grief almost broke her completely.
Her boyfriend and best friend stayed by her side through everything. Slowly, she began to heal from the pain. But this morning, she walked in on her best friend and boyfriend together.
The two people she trusted most in this world had both betrayed her.
Her boyfriend said, “Britney, you’re so full of yourself. Saving yourself for our wedding night? What century are you living in? If you won’t sleep with me, plenty of other girls will.”
Her world collapsed in that moment.
That was his reason for betraying her. Three years together, and this was why he threw it all away.
After three years together, he betrayed her over this one thing.
Britney felt her world crumble. She walked to the river, ready to end everything. Nothing in this world mattered to her anymore.
Then Gavin appeared, and a desperate idea struck her. What she had treasured so deeply wasn’t worthless after all. In her pain, she wanted to give herself to a complete stranger.
She grabbed Gavin’s hand, her grip filled with resolve.
Gavin didn’t expect her to kiss him again. He was a man. of course, he felt something. But he stayed in cor
Gavin gripped her wrist and pushed her away. His breathing was unsteady as he stared at the tears rolling down the girl’s cheeks. “Ms. Watson, you’re drunk. You should get some rest.”
With that, Gavin released her.
Tears streamed down Britney’s face. “Why won’t you want me either?”
Gavin confused. ‘Either? What does she mean by that?’
Gavin frowned. “Ms. Watson, get some rest. Ring the bell if you need anything from the staff.” He turned to leave.
At the doorway, he glanced back, still worried. The sight made his heart stop.
Britney had climbed onto the window ledge and was about to jump.
“Ms. Watson!” Gavin shouted, rushing to pull her into his arms. He tried to bring her down, but Britney gripped the window frame, refusing to let go.
“Gavin, let me go! Just let me die!” Britney’s voice cracked with emotion.
Gavin held on tight. “Ms. Watson, it’s Christmas. Whatever’s wrong, we can work through it. Come down first.”
Even from the second floor, a fall would cause serious injuries.
Britney sobbed uncontrollably. “My parents are dead. My boyfriend cheated with my best friend. Family, love, friendship… I have nothing left. How am I supposed to go on?”
Gavin’s expression froze in shock.
At the riverbank, Britney had told him she had no home left. He’d been surprised then, but he never imagined it meant this.
Gavin stayed quiet for a long moment before speaking. “If your parents were still alive, they wouldn’t want you throwing your life away like this.”
Britney froze. Her grip on the window frame slowly loosened.
Gavin pulled her down from the window and settled her on the single armchair nearby. He quickly locked the window shut.
He looked at Britney’s red-rimmed eyes. “Ms. Watson, if you really died, wouldn’t those people who hurt you just laugh? You need to stay alive. Don’t the people who betrayed you deserve to pay?”
Britney gave a bitter smile. “Revenge? I’m just a powerless orphan. What could I possibly do?”
Without thinking, Gavin said, “I can help you.”
Britney stared at him in surprise. She studied Gavin’s face, really seeing him for the first time.
Cameron and Lance both looked like Jacqueline, but Gavin favored Levi. His features were sharp and defined, his eyes narrow and intense. When he wasn’t speaking, he seemed almost unapproachable.
Britney kept staring at him. She hadn’t expected someone who looked so cold and distant to be this canng.
A warmth spread through her chest.
Gavin noticed her staring at him and realized what he’d just said. It was like when he’d told Britney home with him-the words just tumbled out without thinking. Offering to help her get revenge was probably just his masculine hero complex talking.
“Would you really help me?” Britney asked, uncertainty in her voice.
She definitely wanted that cheating couple to pay. Gavin met her hopeful gaze and couldn’t bring himself to refuse. “As long as you stay alive, I’ll help you get your revenge.”
“What can I do for you in return?” Britney asked.
She was twenty-five years old now, not some naive little girl. She understood how the world worked. Everything had a price. No one did favors for nothing.
Gavin fell silent at her question. After a moment, he shook his head. “You don’t need to do anything.”
