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She stayed after resting in my room for days.
The pampered CEO now cooked and cleaned and ended up covered in grime.
Other teachers couldn’t stand it and urged me to let her share my food.
“Look at her cooking—eating it won’t poison her,will it?”
“If she collapses again,she’ll never leave.”
I slammed a bowl in front of her with a cold expression.
She looked up,hopeful.“You’re forgiving me?”
I glared.“Get better and get out.”
The light in her eyes dimmed.
The next day,she left.
I thought she’d given up,but three days later,she returned with a cartload of supplies.
She worked in secret all night and asked me to meet her on the village’s only small bridge, vowing to wait without food or drink until I arrived.
I didn’t care if she starved—I wasn’t going.
But my students,the little rascals,ran over,buzzing with excitement.
“Teacher James,go to the bridge!There’s tons of gold paintbrushes—so pretty!”
Little Tim,the boy who rekindled my passion for painting, chewed candy and dragged me along.
At the bridge,under the setting sun,I was stunned.
The bridge was adorned with countless gold paintbrushes,glittering.
They varied in size,studded with jewels.
Emily stood at the far end.
“James,since I lost you,I hired top designers worldwide to craft 999 gold paintbrushes.”
“I know painting brings you the greatest sorrow.”
“I can’t change the past,but I promise to love you right from now on.”
Tears streamed down my face.
Emily reached out.
“James,give me one more chance.Cross this bridge with me,let the past go,and let’s start anew.”
Tim tugged my hand.
“Teacher James,say yes to the pretty lady!”
With his mouth full, he said Emily was kind because she gave him candy.
His innocent face swayed me.
As I stepped onto the bridge,Emily’s face lit with joy.
Then a voice called from behind.
“Emily,there you are!”
I froze,turning expressionlessly.
Nathan,wearing a pristine white shirt, brushed past me and crossed the bridge to embrace Emily.
Surprised,she asked why he was here.
He grinned,pointing to his art board.
“I’m here to sketch the mountains.You knew,so you came to scout for me!”
Emily's expression changed, and she shoved his hand away.
“What nonsense?I didn’t know you were coming!”
She looked at me,frantic.“James,believe me,I recognized you from the interview photo—that’s why I came!”
Before I could speak,Nathan gasped.
“That’s James?No way!He looks ten years older,like a village hick!”
His eyes were filled with disdain, but I knew him all too well.
He’d known it was me before arriving.
For years,he’d tracked our plans,inserting himself to sabotage us.
Before,I let it slide since Emily called him a brother.
Now,I was just done.
Tired.Sick of it.
