Chapter 2
The next day, Violet went to work at the nail salon as usual.
Back then, she’d chosen this location near Adrian’s university just to catch glimpses of him.
Later, when he had money, he’d suggested several times that she quit and rest at home, but she’d refused.
He was always busy at school-if she gave up this job too, she’d see him even less.
Today she was supposed to quit, but the manager grabbed her hands: “Violet, help me out for a few more days until I find
someone new?”
Looking at her earnest expression, remembering all the care she’d shown over the years, Violet finally nodded.
Soon after, she got a house call to Yale’s women’s dorms.
The moment she walked through the door, she spotted a framed photo on the desk-Adrian and Seraphina together.
He wore a white shirt, his expression still cool but with the hint of a relaxed smile she rarely saw. Seraphina leaned against his shoulder, her smile as bright as sunshine.
“You think they make a cute couple too, right?” A girl followed her gaze, voice excited. “They’re like our school’s famous ship! The cold professor and the bubbly campus queen-everyone’s totally obsessed!”
She looked down, opening her nail kit, and asked quietly: “Are they… close?”
“Totally!” Several girls immediately crowded around, chattering about how special Adrian was to Seraphina.
“Professor Montgomery is usually so unapproachable, but he’s super patient with Seraphina!”
“Last time she fell asleep in the lab, he even gave her his jacket!”
“I heard he carries that pen she gave him everywhere!”
Violet listened to their words, her fingers trembling slightly, nearly dropping her nail file.
These things-Adrian had never done any of them for her.
“They’re perfect for each other!” One girl suddenly sighed. “The only problem is Professor Montgomery’s background, and apparently there’s some woman he feels obligated to…”
“Oh, you mean HER?” Another girl wrinkled her nose. “I heard she never even went to college, doesn’t have a real job, just does odd jobs. She’s totally not on his level!”
“Right! Clinging to him shamelessly-so embarrassing!”
“We actually asked Professor Montgomery about it once, suggested he just pay her off to go away instead of ruining his happiness…”
Violet’s heart felt like it was being squeezed tight, making it hard to breathe.
“Why are your hands shaking?” A girl suddenly looked at her. “You okay?”
She forced a smile: “I’m fine, just think… you’re all right.”
After finishing the manicures, she hurried out of the dorm, but stopped dead at the campus gates.
Adrian and Seraphina were walking toward her side by side.
Seraphina was wearing a red scarf, and as they talked, she suddenly took it off and stood on tiptoe to wrap it around Adrian’s
neck.
She held her breath, watching Adrian-who was usually such a germaphobe-actually let her do it.
“Last night’s meteor shower was amazing,” Seraphina said with a smile.
Adrian nodded: “Yeah, we can go watch again next time.”
Students walking by all turned to stare, someone whispering: “OMG, they’re so cute!”
They chatted about experiments, coursework, academic conferences… things she couldn’t understand.
Standing in the corner, she suddenly realized there had always been an unbridgeable gap between her and Adrian.
When she got home, Adrian was in the kitchen getting water.
He opened the fridge and saw the leftover cake, pausing: “Yesterday was your birthday?”
She nodded silently.
“I’ve been so busy lately, I forgot.” He rubbed his temples. “I’ll get you a present in a few days.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She said quietly. “You’re busy with important things-no need to worry about stuff like this.”
He glanced at her but didn’t insist, just asked: “What did you wish for?”
She was about to answer when his phone rang.
Seraphina again.
“Adrian, I twisted my ankle…” Her voice came through the phone with a sob.
Adrian immediately stood up: “Send me your location, I’ll be right there.”
Then he left in a hurry, not even glancing back at her.
She sat at the dining table and finished the rest of the cake alone.
The cream had gone cold, sickeningly sweet.
Chapter 1
