Chapter 1

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At the small park beside Marikina Polytechnic University's track fields, Katherine Cole was shouting at Lucas Salvatore, her tall, skinny boyfriend, a 22-year-old third-year Civil Engineering student.

"Lucas, let's end this; I don't want you in my life!"

"Sorry, Kath, what did you say? Why? How could you say that? What did I do? Are you upset? You know what? You're so mean," replied Lucas, completely taken aback.

Lucas Salvatore and Katherine Cole had been friends since junior high, and but Lucas had been courting Katherine since grade nine. At last they started dating during their senior year.

Lucas's family history was not particularly good. He wasn't particularly handsome, but he was attractive; he was simply too hesitant to express himself. He wasn't despised by girls in high school either. Nevertheless, he excelled in his academics and was extraordinarily talented. He was the family's breadwinner, a kind older brother to his two siblings, and someone who valued family.

Katherine Cole was also good; she was the most attractive woman in the class, although modest. She excelled in her studies, comparable to Lucas.

The teacher at the time frequently advised Lucas to quit dating Katherine, citing the possibility that he would be the cause of her downfall, as well as the fact that they were too young for so-called love and would neglect their academics.

The school counselor counseled the two at the time, and they promised to continue their studies. Yes, it was fruitful. When they graduated from high school, they both passed the Marikina Polytechnic University entrance exam. Without knowing it, some of their classmates envied them for being a pair.

Katherine continued to push Lucas away over time; she maintained a distance for nearly a year and was still doing so.

Lucas never expected Katherine to suddenly announce the end of their relationship.

But, of course, Lucas was fully aware of the changes. When Lucas invited Katherine on a date and she declined, she usually had an excuse. Katherine's thoughts were always elsewhere when they were together; she lacked the energy that Lucas had and tended to become enraged when questioned.

At 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Lucas discovered Katherine driving a luxurious car and posting images online, feeling content with a trust fund and a decadent man in their class.

Lucas simply persuaded himself that there might be a party with her friends and classmates.

However, a week later, Katherine unexpectedly proposed ending their relationship and breaking up with Lucas, making Lucas's heart more sensitive and heavy, as if it were about to shrink. He had also been overthinking.

"Let's end our relationship and take our separate paths without having any remorseful feelings. I think this is better for both of us."

"Kathy, will you explain and enlighten me? Is it because of Joseph Bartolome?"

"So you know? What if I say that he is?" she said and chuckled.

"Katherine, come back to me. Joseph isn't good; he's up to no good. He was a messed-up youngster, and he's most likely playing you. Every day, he dates several women, one of whom became pregnant."

"I am concerned about you, as you are aware," Lucas pleaded, trying to save Katherine.

"Alright, Lucas, this is the last time; I will never come back to you. I'm here to tell you to stop this, and put it in your mind that there's no chance between us and everything is over," Katherine said angrily.

"And will you please stop pestering me?" she asked.

Lucas ignored her advice and kept attempting to stop Katherine from leaving.

"Kath, look, listen to me. Joseph isn't good; he's been fooling you and putting you in the wrong direction. Wait, I'll go to Joseph and tell him this!"

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