My dad had saved Mr. Sterling's company from bankruptcy.

So after my parents died, I was taken in by the Sterling family.

The first time I met Leo, his dad introduced me.

"Leo, this is my friend's daughter. She'll be living with us from now on. I hope you two can be friends."

And Leo and I did become great friends.

He hated school, so his friend got to do all his homework for him.

Before exams, I had to make him study guides, predict the questions, and cram all the key concepts into his head.

When he got into trouble outside, his friend was always there to cover for him at home.

Every time he needed a favor, Leo would sling his arm around my shoulder and say, "Chloe, we're friends, aren't we?"

"Friends are supposed to help each other out, right?"

Since the Sterlings were raising me, and Leo was their only son, I could never say no to him.

It was the same when he got caught dating a girl in high school and was sent to the principal's office.

Leo came begging to me. "Chloe, she's not like you. She's a good girl. The principal will just say a few words and she'll start crying."

"You're the valedictorian, the teachers’ pet. Even if I say I was dating you, they wouldn't dare yell at you."

I bit my lip, looking at him, but all I could think about was what I’d overheard his friends saying in the hallway earlier.

"Leo, if you don't want your little girlfriend to get in trouble, just get Chloe to say it was her."

"She's so into you, she'd never say no."

"But for real, Chloe's gorgeous. How come you're not into her, man?"

Leo had said, "You read too many fanfics? Her and us, we're from different worlds. The prince and the pauper thing only happens in Disney movies."

When I heard that, my first thought was: well, Leo's not wrong.

I just didn't know when he and his crew figured out I had a crush on him.

And now, here was Leo, arm around my shoulder just like always, saying, "Chloe, we're friends."

"You won't say no, right?"

Leo was right. I wouldn't say no.

"Fine."

When he heard me agree, he grinned and pinched my cheek.

I took a step back, dodging his hand, and continued, "But you have to break up with her."

Leo didn't even hesitate.

"Sure."

I never expected him to agree so easily.

The explanation I was about to give got stuck in my throat for a second before I could get it out.

"Your dad already knows you're dating someone. Breaking up now is better for both of you."

Leo gave me a look that was full of meaning.

He shrugged, completely unbothered. "You don't have to explain."

"Even if I break up with her, I'm never going to be with you."

The expression on my face froze instantly.

Leo's grin just got wider, crueler. "After all, we're just friends."

Just friends.

If he had actually kept his distance like a friend, maybe I wouldn't have spent so many years trailing after him like an idiot.