Chapter 4: Uncover a secret full of lies

Seizing the opportunity, Max carried Kora into the bathroom. Erica managed to leave the room before it was too late. She carefully opened the wardrobe and stealthily stepped out of it. Erica had to crawl on her hands and knees to avoid being detected. Why did she have to act like a thief? Erica should have left openly, but as previously mentioned, she was not ready to face the couple yet. Erica was simply afraid of being hurt even more. It was better to leave quietly than to see the faces of two people who deserved to be punished and to endure their mocking and insulting smiles. It was not wrong; it was entirely consistent with Erica's hatred of injustice.

"Max, go outside and get a towel," Kora demanded. Kora's demand startled Erica, causing her to crawl even faster. Why were they showering so quickly? Or was it because Erica was lost in thought, making her movements slow as a turtle? While Erica was still lost in thought, the couple had finished their intimate activities.

"Anyway, we'll continue to be naked; why do we need a towel?" Max replied in a spoiled tone. The more Erica listened, the more disgusted she became with this couple. Erica could hear Max groaning as Kora pinched his hip.

"Why did you pinch me?" Max grumbled.

"Because you're a pervert," Kora replied playfully.

"But I thought you liked it. You're just pretending," Max teased back.

"I don't have it," Kora denied with a pout.

"Come on, just admit it," Max insisted, forcing Kora to tell the truth. Erica could hear the couple's laughter as they played around under the showerhead. The sound of running water couldn't drown out their joyful laughter, which felt like torture to Erica's heart. Why? Max had never been playful with Erica like that. He always wore a serious or even cold expression. Now, Erica understood the reason for it all. It turned out that Max had never loved Erica. He kept his distance from her because he didn't love her. Erica wondered what was lacking or wrong with herself that made Max treat her that way.

It's so unfair. Giving sincerity and receiving deception and betrayal in return.

"Max, I want to dry off first," Kora pleaded, her voice sounding very annoying and making Erica's skin crawl. "Hurry up and get me a towel."

In the face of Kora's cute and whiny demeanor, Max had to indulge her. Once again, Erica was startled as she realized Max was about to appear. She immediately rolled under the bed to shield herself because the distance from her to the door was still too far. Max was about to appear. She immediately rolled under the bed to shield herself because the distance from her to the door was still too far. Erica was afraid she wouldn't be able to make it out before Max arrived.

Erica's heart raced frantically as she narrowly escaped danger for the second time. If she stayed here any longer, she feared she would die of a heart attack.

As Max returned to the bathroom with the towel, Erica took advantage of the opportunity to continue crawling toward the door. However, her attempt was thwarted as Max and Kora left the bathroom before she could even move an inch. Why was Erica always so slow? Her body wasn't heavy enough to slow her down. She was physically fit and energetic due to her frequent runs and sports skills. Erica was agile and flexible. Yet, why did her amazing skills disappear now? Was there something mysterious trying to keep Erica here a little longer?

Erica watched from under the bed as the couple moved around, waiting anxiously. Eventually, Kora and Max lay down on the bed, embracing each other. Erica knew that the opportune moment to successfully escape had arrived. But for some reason, she decided to stay a little longer and listen to Kora and Max's conversation. The conversation mainly revolved around choosing a major, job prospects, and Kora's various frustrations. All things that Erica found quite boring. However, after that, the theme of the story is no longer boring; on the contrary, it is terribly interesting, as it strongly affects Erica's whole mind and body.

"Max, do you love Erica?"

Kora crouched in Max's arms, casually asking. The question is also what Erica wants to know to see what Max's answer will be. Although, after discovering this betrayal, Erica still had a fragile hope that Max at least had some affection for her. Was Erica being foolish? Not really; it's just that she hadn't had time to adapt to this sudden turn of events. Her life was going well until it was suddenly overturned by Max's betrayal. Erica just wants to know whether her love for Max is enough to hold onto him and make her strong enough to fight or not.

"Are not." Max's definitive answer took Erica by surprise. He then added, "I don't love Erica; I don't even like her. Erica is not my type of girl."

"Why don't you like Erica? How bad is it for her to make you like this?" Kora asked with an interested voice, wanting to know. She would be happy to laugh at Erica's suffering.

"Erica is truly the most boring girl I have ever known. She always talks seriously when it comes to the future. Moreover, she doesn't bring any attraction that makes me crave and want to touch her."

"Erica is naive and has low manners. Thinking about being with her in public, I feel disgusted." Max continued, his tone harsh.

Max talked about Erica in a very disparaging tone, scornful. Erica clenched her fists to restrain the anger that had just invaded her mind. Does Max know what he was saying? Did he understand anything about Erica to be able to make such statements? Alright, Erica was boring; she admitted it. She didn't attract men, and Erica acknowledged that. In fact, Erica didn't like to dress up. She preferred a more active lifestyle and often wore pants instead of short dresses. Erica had never thought that her fashion style was outdated or ugly. Max didn't respect Erica's personal preferences; instead, he made sarcastic remarks. It was unbelievable. What made Erica disagree was that Max criticized Erica for being serious when talking about the future. Erica had dreams, and her goal was to become a doctor. Was it wrong for Erica to want recognition from everyone? Why didn't Max support and encourage her, but instead laughed and insulted her dream?

This is unacceptable. Beautiful words are free, yet Max always speaks cruel words. Erica felt shocked when she discovered Max's true nature.