7
464words
But I knew she’d got hooked.
Prideful and broke, she soon got equipment needed.
Thinking I was asleep, she practicing the streaming till the next morning.
She thought I was clueless about her secret.
She didn’t know I’d orchestrated it to rip off her mask, which could ruin her.
Seeing her streams took off,again, I joined nightly, hyping her, goading fans to give her gifts.
Within the next a few days, she earned $2,000—her first haul.
She motioned to me without earbuds, a rare gesture.
When I asked where she got the cash, she dodged, saying she’d found another way for Ethan’s console.
I didn’t insisted to disclose her.
Then, I found her browsing in a online secondhand markets for high-res camera phones, seeking for clear, low-noise models on a budget.
None of the items met her price.
Then I took action to “help” her, "accidentally" spoiling some glue materials on her phone.
Her voice went dead.
She screamed, rushing from the bathroom. “My phone!”
She wiped it frantically. “Sophie, what the hell! If it’s busted, how can I contact my family?…”
There was a forced smile on her face.
I apologized to her. “I'm sorry, I’ll get it repaired right away.”
I took the phone from her hand. “I’ll handle it, don't worry.”
“But I’m phoneless for days!”
I opened my drawer.“Here is my spare one. It’s old but solid with great camera.”
It was a secondhand phone I’d deliberately picked for her streaming needs, better than hers.
Looking at the phone, her eyes lit up. “You’re sure?”
“Yup. Keep it as long as you need. I’ll try to fix yours..”
She nodded eagerly, nearly cheering.
In fact, she didn’t know her phone was fixed that day, but I would not return it to her.
Nor did she know I had put into the borrowed one a remote-control software and a CP virus.
On the chosen night, told her I’d be out, maybe overnight.
Using her phone, I texted Ethan she’d bought the console and waited to meet him at the dorm.
After getting his reply, I deleted the chat record.
I said goodbye to Olivia,parked near the dorm,and waited for Ethan.
An hour later,he arrived,holding roses,clearly aiming to reconcile.
I acted like I was leaving, greeting him, “Here for Liv?”
He nodded.
I glanced at the flowers, relieved and sighed, “Very nice. She’s been miserable without you.”
“Make up soon—I feel bad. Maybe I overreacted before…”
I waved to leave, adding, “Liv’s exhausted, said she’s napping. Go in quietly—don’t stir her.”
I left,tailing him as he climbed the stairs.
He didn’t turn on the light.I slipped into the bathroom.
