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“Zach,I’ll always see you as a brother.”
“Rachel’s grown up.”
The silence in the room was stifling. I tugged his arm playfully.“Zach,didn’t you have good news?What is it?”
He smiled briefly,then looked into my eyes.“Rachel,Fiona confessed to me.You know her,right?The campus beauty.”
I beamed with joy,nodding enthusiastically.
“I know her.Zach,congrats!”
He suddenly pulled away,turning his head aside.“I’ve got something to do.”
As I watched him rush out of the room, I retracted my hand and stared blankly at the blanket, a sense of sadness washing over me.
But another matter distracted me—returning to school.
Growing up,my health kept me from crowded places.
When my parents were still alive, they hired tutors to teach me at home.
After their accident,I briefly attended school,but cruel words sank me.Zach,pained,arranged my withdrawal.
After my successful surgery last life,I mentioned school to Zach,but his disapproval silenced me.
I thought he was already strained caring for me—I didn’t want to add worry.
This life,I wanted to experience university.
After messaging the vice-principal,I set down my phone and turned to Ethan.“I’m going back to school.You…”
Ethan cut in,calm.“What a coincidence.We’re at the same university.”
“I can keep caring for you.”
“But…”
His handsome face feigned hurt.“You know I quit my other gigs.”
“Fine.”
Because I was worried about his finances, I paid his month’s salary in advance.
Three days later,Ethan and I entered campus. As we split up, I saw Zach and Fiona walking hand - in - hand past my lecture hall.
Seeing me,Zach instinctively let go.Fiona’s gaze fell on me.
She smiled and nudged Zach, asking“What’s up? Is this someone you know?”
My heart ached.I pressed it,looking away.
Zach paused for a moment,then retook Fiona’s hand,approaching me.
“Fiona,this is my childhood friend,my best friend,Rachel.”
“Rachel,this is my girlfriend,Fiona.You know her.”
Seeing Zach’s casual introduction and their clasped hands,my eyes welled up with tears and my nose tingled.
Zach,must you do this?Don’t you know how I felt?I fell back into my old pattern,head lowered,tears dripping onto my skirt.
“Rachel,found you.”
In a daze,I felt warm arms wrap around my waist, and my red - rimmed eyes were pressed against a chest.
Ethan stroked my hair gently.The knot in my heart eased.
I didn’t love Zach anymore.I just wasn’t used to this yet.
But I could do it,I swore silently.
In Ethan’s arms,I pulled myself together, smiling to bless them.“Yeah,I know.You’re perfect together.”
Lowering my head,I saw Zach’s fist clenched behind him.Was he angry?
At what?I didn’t know.
