Chapter 3 A Closure

What I didn't expect was Selena visiting me at my dorm, eagerly explaining, "Noah, please hear me out. I didn't mean to introduce you as a friend. It's just that I once told Aidan I was single, and I didn't want him to think I lied.

"You understand where I'm coming from, right? You're the best boyfriend a girl could ever ask for."

She hooked her arm around my waist and snuggled against me, but I couldn't feel any affection from her.

Worse, the thought of being touched by her disgusted me.

I gently pushed her away and said casually, "Sure. It's fine. I understand."

"I've always known you're the best, Noah. Love you!" Surprised, she kissed me and left with glee.

To her, I was the one who could be easily brushed off. She believed that showing a little affection would soothe me and make me grateful.

However, she was wrong.

I turned away and wiped my tears.

I was participating in the College Students' Mathematical Modeling Competition the next day. Selena and I had registered as a team.

I expected to see Aidan at the hotel where we stayed, and I was right.

Putting an arm around her shoulder, he grinned suggestively. "Good morning, Noah. Selena and I'll be counting on you today. As for us, we'll relax somewhere. You won't mind that, will you?"

Selena at least had the nerve to look awkward.

Then, she gave me that innocent, pleading look. "I didn't mention that Aidan would join us before because I know you surely wouldn't mind him. You aren't angry, are you?"

I didn't comment on that and simply asked them to book the room next door. I wanted to focus on the competition.

As the competition started, the organizer revealed the requirements.

I chose the topic I was best at, the one I could complete on my own without anyone's help.

Unfortunately, the rooms weren't soundproof. At midnight, I heard moans and cries coming from the next room.

Usually, I could easily block the sound out of my mind, but I found it familiar.

I stopped working and paid attention to the sound, trying to figure it out.

And it hit me—it was Selena.

My blood ran cold.

While I was busy coding the mathematical model, the two of them were next door enjoying themselves.

The idea struck me and burned me alive from within.

I wanted to destroy something, everything.

I silently opened my door, only to find they had left their door ajar.

Now, I could hear every word they exchanged.

"Be gentle. Noah is next door," Selena said, her scolding half-hearted.

"How am I supposed to hold back?" Aidan replied. "Seeing him around you drives me crazy."

She giggled. "Here we go, again. I've told you once, and I'll tell you again—I only keep him around because he's useful.

"I never meant anything I said to him in high school, but he believed every word. From then on, he followed me around like a lost puppy. Honestly, I've wanted to get rid of him for ages."

I looked into the room and met Aidan's gaze, seeing the barely concealed amusement in his eyes.

He did it on purpose. He wanted me to hear them from the beginning.

My heart shattered completely.

I didn't try to enter the room anymore. Instead, I closed my door properly and listened to the quiet click.

I packed my things in my room and left the hotel.

…

Before leaving, I broke up with Selena through a message.

Soon after, the professor called and told me he had booked an earlier flight.

I took a cab to the airport and left the country with almost nothing.

Looking out the plane window at the clouds below, I had only one wish—to never see Selena again.