Chapter 3

The conversation came to an abrupt end, leaving an awkward tension hanging in the air.

As if by tacit agreement, they all walked ahead. The distance between us grew with every step. By the time we returned to campus, not a single one of them had said another word to me.

"Make sure you all come to my graduation tomorrow. I even asked my professor for extra guest passes," Steve announced.

I clutched the hem of my shirt, then finally spoke up as Mom and Dad turned to leave. "Mom, Dad, I have guest passes too."

Mom shot me a smug look and sneered. "Oh, so now you remember how to speak? I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me."

I looked at her hopefully. "Will you come?"

What I really wanted to ask was whether she would sit in the seat I had reserved for her at my graduation.

But then, I heard her scoff. "I have no intention of embarrassing myself. With your academic performance, aren't you at risk of having to delay graduation if you don't work harder?"

Rebecca burst out laughing. "Exactly! Besides, we came here for Steve in the first place."

I bit my lip, the light in my eyes slowly dimming.

Dad cleared his throat lightly. "Steve specifically asked for three seats, so we can't exactly refuse to go."

A lump formed in my throat. The feeling of laying my heart bare before someone, only to have them trample all over it, left me struggling to breathe.

Steve patted me on the shoulder. "It's okay, Thomas. We can take a group photo together tomorrow."

I discreetly shifted away from him, then shook my head. "No, thanks."

Mom looked at me disapprovingly. "What's with the attitude toward Steve? He was only trying to comfort you."

I glanced at Steve. Suddenly, I blurted out, "Who bought you that ring?"

It was a solid-gold ring adorned with a rose.

Last month, Audrey had shown me a photo of it, saying how much she loved it. I'd even asked Mr. Turner for an advance on my project bonus so I could buy it for her.

I'd given it to her like it was a treasure, only to find it on Steve's finger now.

I shifted my gaze to Audrey, hoping she would give me an explanation.

However, Mom sprang to Steve's defense like a mother wolf protecting her cub.

"Are you seriously trying to take Steve's gold ring? You've gone too far, Thomas!"

Eyes reddening, I shouted in a trembling voice, "I'm asking who gave it to you!"

Steve's gaze darted nervously between Audrey and me, but there wasn't the slightest hint of embarrassment in his reply. "Audrey did. I told her I liked it, so she gave it to me."

It felt as though all the strength had drained from my body.

Steve had merely said he liked the ring, and Audrey had given it to him.

I'd spent an entire month working to get that ring for her, and I'd been so eager to surprise her that I couldn't even wait until graduation.

Without thinking, I rubbed the handmade silver ring on my ring finger. Even though it was badly worn, I couldn't bring myself to throw it away.

Audrey and I had made it together at a DIY workshop after we both passed the entrance exams, and I'd worn it for two and a half years.

But when I looked at Audrey's hand, her silver ring was long gone. The matching gold ring she shared with Steve, however, was still gleaming brightly.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh and said, "I see. I'm going back now."

Audrey didn't come after me. Instead, Steve pulled her into his arms and comforted her softly.

"It's okay. I'll handle it."

Mom, Dad, and Rebecca were all furious with me.

"It's just a ring. What is Thomas freaking out about?"

"Forget him. He just can't stand seeing Steve do well."

"Steve, Audrey, don't let this get to you. You still have the graduation ceremony tomorrow."

On my way back, I received another message from Mr. Turner.

"What a shame your parents aren't coming. In that case, why not stay on for a PhD under my supervision? There's a project you could join right away."

With just 14 hours left until the graduation ceremony, I sat down at my computer and deleted my family's and Audrey's names from my acknowledgments before submitting the final version of my thesis.