Chapter 7
“Yes, I went to the Oasis concert with her. And yes, I was with her on the day of the earthquake.”
“But there’s really nothing between us. It’s all clean-no dirty secrets!”
“At first, when I was asked to look after her, I noticed she was pretty timid, so I took extra care of her. Later
on… sure, we got closer.”
“But I swear to God, Audrey, she’s just a fellow student. No kissing. No sleeping together.”
“For all these years, you’ve been the only woman in my life.”
He said it with such conviction, as if crossing the line was the only thing that would be unforgivable. Since nothing physical happened, it was all fine in his eyes.
On the night of the earthquake, they lay under the stars on the school field. They talked, and that was it.
“But what about your heart?” I asked.
“You think you’re a good man, bound by some moral code, afraid to cross the line-so you just let your heart
wander instead.”
“Peter, when we’re together, I want your whole heart. But yours has been drifting away.”
His face turned ashen. He stumbled over his words, unable to respond. After a long pause, he whispered, “Everyone has desires, emotions. Life is long-can’t you allow me a little slip?”
His voice trembled, and his eyes were dangerously red.
“Audrey, I was wrong… Please forgive me this once. I swear I’ll never make this mistake again.”
His promise was nothing but empty words. I no longer believed him.
“Peter, what I want is loyalty, faithfulness. Maybe you think I’m too strict, but I don’t allow even the slightest
flaw in my love.”
“Now that you’ve tainted what we had, I want nothing more to do with it.”
“Audrey…”
I stared into his eyes, filled with guilt and regret. He looked like a child caught doing something wrong,
completely lost.
“You’re the person I love most,” he said. “I really can’t lose you…”
But hearing him say “love” again felt like poison to me.
I shook off his hand, swallowing the bitterness in my chest, and stepped back two paces.
Chapter 7
70.00%
“Peter, this ends here. Don’t come looking for me anymore.”
“Let’s part ways cleanly. No drama, no mess.”
I grabbed Serena’s hand and walked away without looking back.
But from that day on, Peter seemed determined to win me back. He didn’t return to New York but stayed in our hometown instead.
Since graduation, he rarely came home. Work and studies kept him busy with endless tasks. But this time, for me, he threw it all aside.
Serena and I talked about renting a guesthouse in the heart of the city-a dream I’d always had.
When I was negotiating the price with the landlord, I couldn’t help but feel someone’s eyes on me-always
following my every step.
Wherever I went, he was there, trailing silently like a tree rooted to the ground.
“Audrey, I think he’s sincere. He really does regret it,” Serena said as we sat in a café, sipping cold coffee and
enjoying the air conditioning.
Meanwhile, outside under the scorching 90°F sun, Peter stood alone by the window, motionless, waiting for
“He used to do this in college too-stupidly standing outside, waiting for me without saying a word.”
“Back then, whenever I saw him like that, I’d immediately soften. No matter who was right or wrong, we’d
always make up.”
I tilted my head, remembering those good old days.
“But now we’re grown up.”
“When it’s over, it’s over. My heart’s gone cold. Seeing him like this now just makes me feel helpless.”
That day, Serena and I sat in the café for four whole hours. Peter waited outside for all four.
When we left, I saw he was drenched in sweat, barely able to stand, as if he might collapse any second.
“Audrey…” he called out hoarsely.
I didn’t turn back. I just walked away.
Counting the days, he had stayed in the city with me for nearly a month.
During that time, his advisor called more than once, warning him about delays in his research and demanding he return immediately.
But he was resolute, determined to stick it out here with me.
Chapter 7
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Days passed, and the toll was clear. He looked worn down and disheveled. His carefully trimmed hair was shaved off into a buzz cut again.
I knew he was trying to prove a point-that his heart was rock solid and wouldn’t be shaken by anyone ever
again.
After a full month, his advisor finally issued an ultimatum: if he didn’t return soon, he’d be forced to drop out.
He had no choice but to give in.
Before leaving, he came to see me one last time.
“Audrey, wait for me. Once I sort things out at school, I’ll come back to you.”
I said nothing.
Whether he came back or not didn’t matter anymore.
3
