Declan ultimately gave up his acceptance to Metro University.
He pulled every string he had to get accepted as a transfer student to Nina’s university, all for one slim chance.
During the long flight, he rehearsed his apology over and over, imagining that maybe Nina would soften a little when she heard the truth.
Getting off the plane, Declan felt unprecedented nervousness.
The foreign sunlight was bright, the campus filled with relaxed, happy atmosphere, but Declan had no time to appreciate it. He anxiously searched the campus for that figure carved into his very bones.
Soon, he saw her.
On the tree–lined path outside the library, Nina was walking with an armload of books alongside a tall, well–built guy with a gentle demeanor.
The guy was slightly tilted toward her, listening with a warm smile, nodding occasionally.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves onto them, looking incredibly intimate.
This was Nina after leaving him–a side he’d never seen before.
She’d shed her previous melancholy, her features relaxed with a kind of peace.
Even… when looking at that guy, the corners of her mouth would unconsciously curve upward.
Instantly, violent jealousy gripped Declan’s heart so tightly he could barely breathe.
His instinct was to rush over and pull Nina away from that stranger.
But his feet felt like they were filled with lead.
What right did he have? What position could he take?
He could only watch helplessly as they entered the library, watch them eat at the same table in the cafeteria, watch that guy naturally take the side dishes Nina didn’t like off her plate…
Every detail was like a dull knife, repeatedly slicing his nerves.
Over the following days, he lurked near Nina’s usual library spots, waited on benches not far from her dorm
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building.
Finally, one day Nina came out of the lab alone, Declan intercepted her.
“Nina…”
Declan’s voice was hoarse, his eyes bloodshot with undisguised urgency.
He stepped forward, trying to grab her hand, but Nina coldly avoided him.
“What are you doing here?”
Seeing her disgusted expression made his heart race with panic.
“Nina, I know I was wrong… I know everything Ruby did, how she set you up, and those ninety–nine hits… I know it all! I was stupid, I misunderstood you, I hurt you… Please forgive me, give me another chance, I’m begging you…”
He desperately declared his loyalty: “That twenty–eight–year–old me was a psycho! I got rid of him. I’ve only
ever loved you, Nina… from the past until now, only you!”
Nina listened quietly, her face expressionless, as if hearing a story that had nothing to do with her.
Only when Declan stopped did she slowly look up, her eyes even carrying a hint of mockery.
“Declan,” her voice was terrifyingly calm, “my last message made it crystal clear–there’s nothing between us anymore. Even if you know the truth now, it doesn’t change anything. I don’t need your apology, and I don’t need you coming back.”
“NO! I don’t believe it!”
Declan roared desperately: “All those years we had together–how could you just let go like that? Nina, you loved me! You’re just still mad at me, right? Hit me, yell at me, whatever–just don’t treat me like this…”
Nina looked at his obsessive behavior and suddenly felt exhausted, just wanting to end this meaningless
entanglement as quickly as possible.
She took a deep breath and lied: “Declan, I already have someone I like.”
Those words hit like lightning, striking Declan hard. He froze, staring at her in disbelief.
Just then, a gentle, steady voice came from nearby: “Nina?”
Oliver happened to be walking from the library direction. Seeing this scene, he quickened his pace.
He approached Nina’s side, his arm naturally draping over her shoulder as he asked: “Who’s this?”
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That shoulder touch was incredibly natural and familiar, as if it had been done thousands of times before.
Nina’s body stiffened slightly but she didn’t push him away.
Declan watched Oliver’s hand on Nina’s shoulder, watched Nina’s non–resistant reaction, and his last shred of hope was completely shattered.
So when she said she had someone she liked, it was true.
Massive pain swallowed him whole. Like all his strength had been drained, he staggered back a step, his eyes immediately reddening.
Oliver keenly sensed the strange atmosphere. He maintained politeness but his tone was firm: “If there’s nothing else, please don’t bother my girlfriend. We need to get going.”
The word “girlfriend” was the final straw that broke Declan.
He took one last deep look at Nina, but she remained calm, even leaning slightly toward Oliver.
Declan couldn’t watch anymore. He spun around and practically fled.
Only after Declan’s figure completely disappeared did Oliver let go, looking down at her with gentle concern:
“You okay?”
Nina slowly shook her head.
“That was… the person I told you about.”
Oliver’s eyes flashed with understanding as he comfortingly put his arm around her.
He paused, seeing Nina’s still–pale face: “If he bothers you again, tell me. I’ll handle it.”
No excessive words, but full of trust and protection.
Nina looked up into his sincere, warm eyes, and her constantly tense heartstrings finally relaxed as warmth quietly spread through her.
“Okay.”
