Chapter 2

“I will be passing by your campus tomorrow. Should I drop off some fruit at your office?”

Taylor paused from towel-drying his hair before uttering with a smile, “Sure. Thank you, babe. I might not have time for you since my schedule is pretty full tomorrow.”

“It’s alright. I’ll head out after leaving the fruit. I’m turning in for the night.” I got up to return to the bedroom.

“Abby,” he called after me.

I looked back.

He sat there under the glare of the living room lights.

A shadow fell across his face.

This was the face I had fallen in love with for a decade.

Now, I didn’t even recognize him at all.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

Taylor dropped his jaw for a moment. In the end, he simply said, “Get some early rest.”

I nodded and sauntered into the bedroom.

The door closed behind me.

Putting my weight against the door, I sank to the floor.

I shivered all over.

However, no tears escaped my eyes.

I did enough crying in my past life.

This time, it was their turn to weep.

…

The next day, I showed up outside Taylor’s office with a basket of fruit in hand.

The door was cracked open. Through the glass, I caught Ivy bending over his desk, wearing the pale blue dress I’d bought her.

It was my gift to her on her birthday three months ago.

With tears in her eyes, she gave me a bear hug. “I don’t deserve you, Abby.”

Now, she was cozying up with my husband in the office in that same dress.

Ivy leaned in, her neckline dipping just enough for her chest to nearly brush against Taylor’s arm.

Taylor sank back into his seat as if keeping his distance as a respectable teacher would.

However, from where I stood, I could spot his hand beneath the desk.

His fingers traced the outline of Ivy’s leg, sheathed in stockings.

My nails dug into my palm, and a sharp pain kept me grounded.

I became Ivy’s sponsor through an education grant when her hometown was hit by a flood three years ago.

Her first letter to me came in neat handwriting.

“Abby, you’re the light in my life. I promise to work hard in my studies and live up to your expectations.”

My heart went out to her as she had it tough in life. Besides her tuition fees, I covered her clothes and living expenses.

I told her, “Just think of me as your sister. Just ask if you need anything at all.”

Yet, this was the thanks I got.

“Mrs. Rogue?”

First to notice me, Ivy barely hid the panic in her eyes and snapped her back upright.

Taylor recoiled his arm and rose to his feet, his smile stiff.

“You’re here as well, Abby.”

I set the basket on the desk and turned to Ivy.

“Oh, Ivy. I didn’t expect to see you here. Are you here to consult Taylor?”

“Uh… Y-Yes… I can’t seem to get this one question right.”

Ivy kept her head down, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress.

A smile hung over my face. “Taylor sure is dedicated, even taking the time out of his schedule after class for his students.”

I deliberately highlighted the after-class session.

Taylor grimaced as tension rose in the air.

Ivy shifted her gaze to Taylor.

Taylor cleared his throat. “You’re excused, Ivy. We’ll finish this discussion another time.”

“Alright.” She grabbed her books and strutted out of the office.

As the door shut, Ivy stole one last lingering look at Taylor.

“What brings you here?” Taylor asked, his voice laced with criticism.

“Is there a reason I can’t be here? Are you trying to keep me away?”

His expression soured.

I responded with a grin, “I was just kidding. Why so tense?”

Getting to my feet, I approached the window.

Down below, Ivy walked out of the academic building.

She was typing on her phone.

Then came a notification on Taylor’s phone seconds later.

With my back facing Taylor, I gazed out the window.

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach.

“I should get out of your hair.”

That night, Taylor cleared the dirty plates away for once. He kept the faucet running in the kitchen.

He stepped out of the kitchen, drying his hands, his voice tender.

“You know Ivy’s life has always been a struggle. University didn’t come easily for her. I was just looking out for her a little more.”

His profile, bathed in the warm light, reminded me of his proposal under the stars. He cupped my face in his hands and made his promise.