They Erased Me, So I Rewrote My Life Chapter 09

They Erased Me, So I Rewrote My Life Chapter 09

Mr. Henderson cleared his throat. “All right, Hernandez, back to your seat. Let’s continue with fertilizer ratios.”

After class, Leo turned around. The toughness from before was gone, replaced by a slightly awkward discomfort.

“So… that Connally guy. You and him…”

“Our families used to assume we’d get engaged,” I said, packing my books.

“Used to?” His eyes brightened. “So it’s over now?”

“I called it off.”

“That’s good. I mean—” He immediately corrected himself, his ears turning red again. “Sorry. I just mean… you don’t seem very upset.”

I shut my laptop and looked up at him.

This boy was too easy to read.

His concern was practically written all over his face.

After losing my ability to love, other people’s emotions had become much easier to see. I was no longer clouded by my own feelings.

“I’m not upset,” I said. “It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Leo seemed to let out a breath. He smiled, showing a row of white teeth.

He paused, as if gathering his courage.

“Eliza, if you need it… I mean, if he comes around and bothers you again—”

“I can pay you by the hour,” I interrupted.

“What?” He froze.

“To hire you,” I said, looking at him. “When Bryce or anyone my father sends shows up, you pretend to be my boyfriend.”

His expression shifted from surprise to something more serious.

He had probably expected me to get angry, or cry, or need comforting.

He hadn’t expected me to offer him a contract.

“There’s only one condition,” I said. “Help me keep them away. I don’t want the Walton family anywhere near my new life.”

Leo was silent for a long moment.

He looked at me, as if trying to see what I was really thinking.

At last, he nodded.

“Okay.”