Jaelyn was frantic, urging me to clear my name.
But I rarely shared anything on social media. All I had as proof were the drafts id painstakingly revised dozens of times.
But I rarely shared anything on social media. All i had as proof were the drafts I’d painstakingly revised dozens of times
Unfortunately, Frieda had already posted her drafts a day earlier.
She’d even shared photos of herself sketching at the cathedral.
Her accusatory video solidified the plagiarism allegations against me
Soon, my private account was flooded with insults. Every day brought new abuse from strangers.
In the midst of this, my boyfriend Kaysen called.
I thought he’d help me through this, but his tone dripped with disdain. “Maureen, I can’t believe you’d stoop so low. Frieda trusted you, and you betrayed her like this? We’re done. Being with someone like you is a stain on my life. Don’t do anything so shameless again”
Before I could explain, he hung up.
When I tried to call back, his phone was off
Minutes later, I saw his announcement with Frieda on social media.
They’d posted a picture of their hands clasped together, and on his middle finger was the matching ring I’d bought him for Valentine’s Day.
At that moment, I felt utterly defeated.
What followed was an expulsion notice from my university and a blacklisting from the industry.
Even my painstakingly built studio was wrecked by justice–seeking netizens, reduced to rubble.
Forced to retreat, I packed my things and returned home.
I thought I could finally breathe, but someone exposed my family’s address.
They sent garbage to our home, clamoring for justice against the “plagianist‘ designer,
Seeing my elderly parents tormented, I felt crushed by quilt.
One dark night, I took burning charcoal and entered an abandoned kindergarten.
I’d attended this kindergarten once. Back then, my teacher had praised my talent for design.
It was the birthplace of my dream, yet I came here to end my life.
As consciousness faded, a white light consumed me.
When I opened my eyes again, it was the day before the competition.
While there was still time, I had to uncover the truth of what had happened.
Reflecting on my previous life, I opened Frieda’s profile.
She was two years younger than me and had clung to Kaysen and me since starting at the academy.
She often posted snapshots of her life.
There was always a certain boy’s silhouette in those pictures,
I’d once asked her if he was her boyfriend.
Frieda hadn’t confirmed or denied it but blushed and stole glances at Kaysen.
I thought she was just shy, but now I realized that the figure was Kaysen himself.
Scrolling through her posts, I discovered that even on my birthday, Kaysen had snuck out while I slept to buy Frieda snacks.
Her caption read [Who else would treat me like a kid? I wish I could rely on you forever]
It struck me that their closeness was odd.
After I was accused, Kaysen wasted no time distancing himself from me and announcing his relationship with Frieda.
They must’ve had something going on all along. I’d been so naive.
I began to suspect that Kaysen had secretly given my design concept and drafts to Frieda
