Chapter 1

Sebastian Kane, who was usually indifferent, reluctantly accepted the task.

What began as mere tutoring and helping Maureen Shadwick navigate the campus slowly evolved into something else entirely.

Maureen wanted the cake from the popular bakery on West Street, the one with the long line, so Sebastian skipped his evening study session to buy it for her. When Maureen posted about feeling down, he spent the entire night on the phone with her. And when she had cramps during her period, he climbed over the campus wall to get her ginger tea.

Leona Langham grew frustrated. Each time, she threatened to break up.

The first time she said it, over the phone, Sebastian was silent for what felt like forever. Then, she heard his breathing grow heavier. That night, it rained heavily, and he stood drenched outside her apartment building while calling her name repeatedly. His voice was hoarse as he begged her to forgive him.

The second time, he skipped class the entire day to wait by her classroom. With bloodshot eyes, he handed her a thick letter filled with heartfelt words, pleading for a second chance.

But as the breakups kept happening, it seemed like Sebastian was learning slowly what her limits were.

He was convinced that she couldn't live without him.

His efforts to reconcile turned mechanical. At first, he'd beg her immediately, then a day later, then three days, then a week…

Until the 99th time.

At the celebration party after their exams, Maureen casually mentioned she wanted watermelon.

Without thinking, Sebastian cut the sweetest, most tender piece from the large fruit and handed it to her, forgetting entirely that Leona, who was sitting right beside them, also loved watermelon with all her heart.

The hurt and betrayal Leona had been quietly holding in burst forth in an instant.

As she stared at the watermelon, Leona spoke in a cold and steady voice. "Sebastian, we're breaking up."

Sebastian paused for a moment. He looked at her lazily with a hint of irritation in his voice. "Are you seriously doing this again?"

Leona didn't argue. She grabbed her bag, stood up, and left the room.

This time, Sebastian didn't chase after her like before.

He figured she was just throwing another tantrum. In a few days, she'd cool down and come back to him like always.

With that thought in mind, he made his way over to Maureen, who was being playfully encouraged by everyone to drink more. He stepped in, helping her fend off a few more shots.

But what he didn't realize was that this time, Leona meant it.

Her heart that had been repeatedly wounded and chipped away over time, had finally given up.

…

That night, Leona's first instinct when she got home was to open her computer. Without hesitation, she changed her college application. The place where she had originally planned to go with Sebastian, Northsea University, was now crossed out and replaced with Southsea University, which was a long distance away.

Then, she began to clear out everything that reminded her of him.

The limited-edition plush toys he'd gifted her, the bracelets, the love letters, and the thick stack of photos…

Each item carried a sweet but painful memory that now felt like a heavy burden.

She packed them all into a giant cardboard box.

The next day, she carried the box to Sebastian's house.

The butler recognized her and led her straight into the living room.

In the spacious room, Sebastian and Maureen were sitting on the soft carpet, engrossed in a video game. They were sitting close while laughing and talking.

"Sebastian, you're so good at this! I've been stuck on this level forever!" Maureen cheered in excitement.

Leona's eyes immediately fell on the oversized black T-shirt Maureen was wearing.

It was a limited edition piece she'd spent hours looking for in several shopping malls, and she had bought it for Sebastian's birthday last year.

When he received it, he had spun her around in excitement and whispered in her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "Nana, thanks for this. I'm going to wear it every day."

So, this was what "wearing it every day" meant. He had just casually lent it to another girl.

Feeling Leona's gaze, Maureen turned around and gave her an innocent smile.

"Leona! You're here. Sebastian invited me to play games, and he even made me pasta! I'm so clumsy, though. I spilled some juice, so he let me borrow his shirt. I hope you're not upset."

Sebastian, hearing this, glanced at Leona as his fingers moved skillfully over the controller. His voice was disinterested as he commented, "What are you doing here? Haven't we broken up?"

Seeing him act so nonchalantly, a wave of self-mockery washed over Leona.

Leona remembered the first time he'd desperately begged her while drenched in rain. She also remembered how, over time, his apologies had become more distant and more perfunctory. Apart from that, she had even remembered the last time, when he texted her saying, "Stop making a scene. I'll take you out to dinner tonight…"

He had tested her over and over, and each time, she gave in. With every forgiveness she offered, he became bolder.

But he didn't understand that this was the final straw for her.

Leona was done by the 99th breakup.

She took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in her throat. "It's precisely because we broke up that there are some of your things I need to return."

Sebastian rubbed his forehead in irritation. "If you're going to make a fuss, you can throw all of that away. There's no need to bring them here."

"Fine."

Leona nodded without hesitation. She walked over to the large trash bin and, without a second thought, dropped the box in.

The box hit the bottom with a dull thud.