Chapter 13
“Is this for Jaxon Steele? There’s a scheduled delivery here, please sign for it!” The delivery guy was holding a big box.[]
Jaxon stared at the package on his desk, frowning hard.[]
The shipping label showed it had been scheduled for delivery three months ago, with “Riley Thompson” listed as the sender.
He roughly tore open the packaging to find an elegant photo album inside.[]
Opening the first page, his breath caught.]]
The photo showed him leaning against his motorcycle with that cocky grin, while Riley stood beside him wearing those thick glasses, smiling shyly.]
There was a date stamp in the corner: Exactly one year ago.
He suddenly remembered and grabbed his phone to check the calendar–October 20th.
If they hadn’t broken up, today would have been their one–year anniversary.]
His heart suddenly felt like it was being pricked with tiny, dense needles.]]
He flipped frantically through the album, discovering that every photo had similar writing on the back:[]
[Your first time walking me home–I actually walked really slowly on purpose that day because I wanted to spend more time with you.]]]
[You said my packed lunches tasted awful, but you still ate every bite. I was so happy! I wanted to cook for you forever!]]
[You got me a cake on my birthday–it was the first time anyone had ever thrown me a party. I felt like the happiest person in the world!]]
The second half of the album was all different photos of Jaxon-[]
Pictures she’d somehow taken of him sleeping at his desk.[]
A photo some stranger had taken of them when he drove her around on his bike.[]
Even shots of his sleeping profile that she’d secretly captured…]
At the very end was a small box containing a pair of roughly–made silver rings.[]
Jaxon stared for a long time, his hands trembling as he held the rings.
They were obviously handmade, with their initials engraved inside the bands.[]
A note fell out of the box:[]
[Jax, happy anniversary! Even though you said anniversaries are annoying. I still prepared a surprise. I hope someday you’ll
Chapter 13
want to wear it.]]]
Jaxon suddenly slammed the album shut, feeling like something had violently struck his chest.[]
At 1 AM, the lab lights were still on.[]
Riley stared at the data on her computer screen, frowning deeply.[]
The experiment was at a crucial stage, but the results kept differing from expectations.[]
“Try adjusting this parameter.“[]
A fragrant sandwich appeared beside her hand as Ethan leaned over and pointed to a corner of the screen.[]
His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing well–defined forearms, and he smelled like clean soap.[]
Riley followed his suggestion and modified the formula–the data immediately made sense.]
She let out a long sigh of relief: “It actually worked… how did you think of that?“[]
Ethan pulled up a chair and sat down, his eyes tired behind his glasses but still gentle: “I worked on a similar project last year, ran into the same wall.“]
He glanced at the time: “It’s too late, let’s continue tomorrow.“]
While cleaning up equipment, Riley accidentally knocked over a reagent bottle. Ethan quickly reached out to block it.[]
The liquid splashed all over his sleeve.
“Your shirt!” Riley frantically grabbed paper towels.[]
“It’s fine.” Ethan calmly took off his button–down, revealing a clean white t–shirt underneath.]]
He casually stuffed the stained shirt in his backpack: “Come on, I’ll walk you back to your dorm.“[]
The night breeze was cool, with only a few scattered streetlights left on campus.]
Ethan suddenly pulled out a thermos from his bag: “For you.“[]
Riley took it–the bottle was warm to the touch, filled with peach gum milk.[]
“I heard this helps with sleep,” he said naturally, like it was no big deal.[]
Riley gripped the bottle tighter, warmth spreading through her chest.[]
These past few months, Ethan had always been like this–appearing at just the right moment when she needed it, never flashy or overstepping, but making her feel incredibly safe.[]
“See you tomorrow.” Ethan stood under a streetlight, his shadow stretching long.[]
Bed Warmer? Harvard Goddess His Pilessure My Payback!
Chapter 13
Riley nodded and turned to go, but he suddenly called her name: “Riley.“[]
She turned back to see Ethan looking like he wanted to say something but holding back.]
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