I watched his retreating back, and it felt like I was watching our pure, innocent love disappear into the distance.
A few days later, with my parents” encouragement, I decided to rediscover my dream of a career in music. I began saying my good- byes to friends.
Suddenly, my phone blew up with messages from the senior students in Adam’s lab.
Dozens of messages, all saying the same thing.
Adam and Chloe were officially together.
I replied to each of them, explaining that Adam and I had already ended things. I thought that would be the end of it, but then Adam started appearing in front of me with Chloe, frequently.
She stood at the gate of his family’s villa, her arm linked through his, her makeup delicate and demure. “Adam,” she cooed, “do you think your parents won’t like me?”
Seeing me, Adam instinctively tried to pull his arm away, but Chloe tightened her grip. Realizing that they were, in fact, the couple now, he relaxed and leaned closer to her.
I remembered the messages from my friends.
“Adam and Chloe came in together today, wearing the same clothes as yesterday. Did they spend the night together?”
“Someone saw a hickey on Adam’s neck.”
“They have no shame. They were already sneaking around when he was with you. Now they might as well just do it in the middle of
the lab.”
“The professor is really not happy with Adam lately.”
I gave the couple a knowing glance and turned to leave.
“Jenna! You live here too?” Chloe called out from behind me.
“Where I live is none of your business.” There was nothing more to say,
I took out my keys to open my door, but Chloe leaned against Adam, half–supported by him. “Oh, it’s not that. It’s just, Adam and 1
are a proper couple now, We’re even meeting his parents today. I was just worried some people might not be able to let go, might
even move in next door just to keep pestering him.”
She looked at me, a sweet smile on her face. “By the way, I’m not talking about you. Don’t overthink it,
I had lived in this house for over a decade. Was I supposed to pack up and run away like a defeated dog because of one failed relat
lonship?
Adam didn’t say a word to contradict her. He just looked at me coldly, as if I were a complete stranger.
In that moment, I finally understood. Love is like a river. He had chosen a new path, and the old me was just a fallen leaf, washed
away.
I rolled my eyes at them and went inside.
That evening, while walking my dog, I saw a tall figure sitting on a bench, the ember of a cigarette glowing in the dark. An intense
gaze fell on me. After so many years, I knew who it was, even if I wanted to pretend I didn’t.
“Jenna ”
I kept my face impassive and tried to walk past him quickly. A hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. It was Adam. My dog looked
curiously at the familiar face, confused as to why we weren’t on our walk together,
“Let’s get back together. Stop this nonsense, okay?”
I laughed coldly and refused.
Adam’s hand was like an iron clamp on my wrist, the force more suited to crushing an enemy than holding a lover.
“Jenna, I was wrong. I realize now that I still love you.” His expression was pathetic, like an abandoned puppy. “I messed up. Let’s
get back together, please?”
I suddenly felt like I didn’t recognize the man in front of me.
