Chapter 2

Potted plants sat on the windowsill. Markers of every color were scattered across the desk, along with collectibles lining the bookshelf.

Sheila despised anything that distracted her from her research. Years ago, on her birthday, I'd given her a collectible figurine which she'd tossed into the trash immediately.

"Is this the useless junk you spent all your energy on? I don't want you giving me things like this anymore. Go read a few books and work on improving yourself if you have that much time on your hands," she'd said to me.

That look of deep resentment she had on her face back then was now mirrored in her expression as she rushed home anxiously and pushed the door open.

"Everyone, please leave. I need to speak with Ben alone."

As Saul was about to step out, she grabbed his arm, her tone suddenly softening. "Saul, let's go to the department gathering later together."

Saul nodded calmly. He shot me a half-smile before leaving.

As soon as the door closed, the temperature in the room plummeted dramatically.

"Why is there tea in my mug?"

The wind swept across Sheila's face, lifting her hair in a flattering wave. Her expression, however, remained sour.

She frowned as she stared at the mug. "I don't like it when people use my mug."

I smiled in response. "You just don't like it when I use your mug."

I strode over to the windowsill abruptly, turning my back to her so she couldn't see my grim expression.

"The pothos plant I gave you wilted in three days. You told me you didn't have time to care for it—that's fine. This orchid, though… It's one of the hardest plants to maintain, yet you've kept it blooming beautifully. The soil is still moist too."

I then turned and dumped the markers from her desk onto the floor. "And what about these markers?" I demanded loudly as they clattered on the ground. "Are you, the top student, now using tools meant for underachievers?"

Sheila jumped at my outburst.

She hadn't expected someone like me, who was usually silent and obedient, to go against her like this.

"Those are all gifts from Saul. I couldn't just refuse. He's my advisor's son. I can't afford to offend him."

I held her gaze as she attempted to pull away. I suddenly smiled.

"Is it really because you can't afford to offend him, or do you just like him too much?"

Sheila grew flustered under my intense gaze. Her voice rose abruptly. "That's enough! There is nothing going on between Saul and me. All we ever talk about is experiments and papers. Now, did you come here today to surprise me or pick a fight?"

She yanked open a drawer, pulled out a bottle of men's cologne, and slammed it on the desk.

"I didn't want to get all fancy with this stuff in the first place, but I thought about how hard you've been studying for your SATs. I wanted you to have a nice birthday."

That bottle of cologne, which had already been logged in the ledger, shattered on the desk. It smelled exactly like the one Saul wore.

"Saul recommended this to you, didn't he?" My expression showed no sign of gratitude.

Sheila looked at me with disappointment. "Talking to you is like talking to a wall."

I could no longer hold myself back.

"Sheila Loom!" I shouted. "When you were in college, I was the one who worked at a hot dog stand outside your campus. Then, when you were getting your master's degree, I worked at the auto repair shop next to your university. I don't see you complaining like this back when I was sending you money every month without fail."

Sheila flushed. I knew how much she hated it when I brought this up. It was akin to trampling her pride straight into the dirt.

"Ben Hope, you don't have to keep harping on about how much I owe you. I swear, I will pay back every cent I owe you!"

I looked at the disgust on her face and closed my eyes, finally making my decision about the past six years.

"Let's break up. Don't forget to pay me back for all the money I spent on you."

Sheila could hardly believe her own ears. "You want to break up with me?"

I knew it wasn't that she was unwilling to part ways. She just couldn't accept that I was the one who initiated the breakup.

As I turned to leave, she grabbed my arm instinctively.

Her anger flared as she caught sight of the resolute look on my face. She couldn't bring herself to say anything to try and save the relationship, so she uttered a simple, "Fine."

I wiped my tears and pushed the door open. In the corner of the living room, Saul and Marilyn were deep in conversation.

"If those lads mooning over Sheila at university could see that guy she's dating, they'd probably want her even more."

"How many years do you reckon he spent sucking up to Sheila before he finally got her? You should have seen how ridiculous he looked just now in that apron…"

I no longer needed to hold myself back for Sheila's sake, so I slammed her bedroom door shut with a loud bang.

The pair jumped up from the couch in fright, spilling hot coffee all over the floor.