Chapter 15
In the upscale restaurant, violin music played softly.[]
Ethan raised his glass and gently clinked it against Riley’s: “Congratulations on our project passing the mid–term review.“]]
“Thanks to your help,” Riley sipped her red wine, the corners of her mouth turning up.
For the first time in months, she felt the pure joy that academics could bring.[]
Her phone suddenly buzzed with a message.]
A high school classmate who’d bullied her had somehow gotten her contact info and maliciously sent a screenshot.]
Sophia’s latest Instagram post: an intimate photo of her and Jaxon kissing, captioned “We’ll be together forever.“[]
The comments were full of congratulations.]
[You spent all those years silently following Jaxon around like a lovesick puppy, giving him everything, and look how pathetically it ended. I almost feel sorry for you.]]
Riley stared at Jaxon’s familiar profile in the photo.
Her heart still clenched with pain uncontrollably.
But she truly didn’t care anymore and didn’t want to argue with this so–called classmate. She just replied:]
[None of my business.]]
Then she blocked the contact without hesitation.[]
“Everything okay?” Ethan noticed her expression change.]
“Nothing,” Riley put away her phone and smiled, “just spam.”
Ethan didn’t pry, just thoughtfully added more salad to her plate: “Try this, it’s pretty good.“[]
After dinner, they walked along the riverside park.]
The night breeze was cool, starlight scattered across the water like broken silver.]
“When I was little, Jused to watch stars alone a lot,” Riley looked up at the night sky, her voice soft, “I thought they were like friends who’d never betray you.“[]
Ethan stopped walking, his gaze falling on her profile: “What about now?“]
“Now…” she turned to smile at him, “I’ve found people on earth worth trusting.“]
Ethan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his eyes behind the glasses deep and gentle.[]
Bed Warmer? Harvard Goddess! Is Pleasure. My Payback
Chapter 15
They sat side by side on a bench, neither speaking, but it was more peaceful than any moment before.]]
After they finished eating, Ethan walked Riley back to her dorm, the night breeze stirring her hair.[]
“See you tomorrow,” she said softly.
But Ethan didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he pulled out a small box from his pocket: “For you.“[]
Riley opened it curiously to find an elegant bookmark with an engraved line:[]
[Stars guide the right people to find each other.]]
“Project commemoration,” he said, pushing up his glasses, his ears slightly red.]]
Riley gripped the bookmark, warmth flooding her chest.[]
she was about to thank him when her phone suddenly rang–an unknown number.[]
She hesitated before answering.]
“Riley…” Jaxon’s voice was hoarse beyond recognition, “I was wrong.“]
The night breeze suddenly felt very cold. Riley stood there feeling like time had stopped.]]
“Can we meet? Just once?” Jaxon’s voice was almost pleading.]
Ethan noticed her distress and looked over with concern.
Riley took a deep breath and said calmly into the phone:[]
“No need.“]
Then she hung up decisively and turned off her phone.[]
“You okay?” Ethan asked gently.
Riley shook her head, carefully putting away the bookmark, and looked up at him with a genuine smile: “Thank you, I love it.”
This time, she chose to look forward instead of back.]
(0)
