“Forgive me?” Claire stared in disbelief. The world she knew began to crumble. Was it my fault when she stole my money? Is she forgiving me? “That money was for my education,” Claire whispered, trying to get an explanation from her mother. Or perhaps a little guilt... “I've always said it, what's the point of going to college and secretly being a prostitute? You're better off being a full-fledged prostitute like me and starting to make money. You're young and beautiful. The college boys will come to you without you going to college. I can introduce you to some of my friends. They'll be happy with you.” Her mother smiled. “My child, make good use of your youth. You'll regret it when you're old like me. Listen to your mother's words. You'll never go wrong. A mother would never harm her child.” “No...”

The first day at Alex's house felt so awkward. Alex almost always confined himself to his workspace. Some students, as well as female students living on the second floor, had a special staircase around the garden that led directly to their place without passing through the first floor.They even used a special entrance gate on the other side of the garden. Consequently, the first-floor house was almost always empty.Claire's task was to clean all the rooms on the first floor, such as the living room, kitchen, dining room, and Alex's workspace. Meanwhile, the second floor was cleaned by its occupants. This was completely different from Alex's initial words, which made her think she would also clean their rooms.Claire got to know the boarders, all of whom were seniors. After a week passed, Claire understood a few things. Alex rarely smiled in front of the housemates; he always had a stern face and rarely talked to them.Alex enforced discipline in this house like a military commander.

That morning, Claire understood one thing for sure. It's not easy for someone to run from their past. Because when the time comes, the shadows of the past will return to trap and try to destroy them. Reminding them of who they really are and where they should be.For Claire, the trap appeared when her mother and Lucas waited in front of the university gate, screaming her name. Claire saw two shadows of her past that she no longer wanted to remember, and her heart felt like it stopped. She quickly hid behind a university building pillar."Claire!!! If you don't come out now, I'll find you and kill you," Lucas shouted frantically in all directions. The man had been repeating his threats for some time. "If you don't come out, I'll come in and search for you! You can't run from us."Fear gripped Claire immediately, she felt suffocated, and her hands trembled violently. Her face turned pale. She knew Lucas could enter the university, search for her, or beat anyone who tried to stop him. Th

On the first day of Claire's parents' arrival, which ended with them being detained by university security, Alex and Claire managed to escape with the help of some university security guards. Upon reaching home, Alex immediately contacted Keaton."Keaton, quickly investigate Claire's parents. They recognized me the first time they saw me; I'm sure they have been investigating me before coming to the university. They want something from me."That night, Keaton was seen waiting inside a dimly lit café, a place known for selling cheap alcoholic drinks in a prostitution area. The café, a favorite spot of Lucas, provided Keaton with information that Lucas had invited all his companions to gather there.Shortly after, Keaton was surprised to see Markus entering the café and quickly lowered his head to hide. Markus, not noticing him, went straight to a table with some of his friends.After waiting for a few hours, Keaton finally saw Lucas arriving with Claire's mother. They joined their frie

Claire's life started moving again after her mother left town. She made some friends who lived near Alex. Like a dark-skinned woman named Marzee, a final-year pharmacy student, and medical students named Winda and Faisal. However, Claire wasn't very close to them.For her right now, she just wanted to focus on studying, becoming a nurse, and doing her best for her future. She didn't want to disappoint Alex, who had already given her a lot of help and guidance. She wanted to make Alex proud of her, although her feelings for Alex were hard to describe."Alex loves you," Marzee said one day in the kitchen while cooking.Claire was surprised, "How is that possible?"Marzee rolled her eyes, "Don't you see how the cold professor only smiles at you? His eyes soften when he looks at you, and besides, his cold aura warms up when he's by your side. He's like a fierce dog growling and showing his fangs to everyone else. But when he's with you, he sticks out his tongue and wags his tail happily.