All Chapters of An Ode to Freedom: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"Vincent, don't leave me... You're all I have left!" When I opened my eyes again, I saw Flora Turner throw her arms around my neck, trying to kiss me as she stood on her tiptoes.In my last life, I had been hopelessly in love with her and had simply let everything spiral out of control. This time, I grabbed the glass of water on the bedside table and splashed it straight into Flora's face.She froze for a moment. Her eyes seemed clear for a moment, but then, they were soon once again consumed by desire and alcohol. I pressed the call bell and walked out the door without hesitation. "I'll make the right choice this time," I mumbled to myself.The butler, Mr. Thompson, appeared before me almost at once. He glanced at the half-open door and asked carefully, "Master Vincent, should I...""Send her to Sean Graham's place," I said.The butler was stunned for a moment. He was about to speak, but when he met my cold eyes, he swallowed his words and hurried off to do as he was told.Ten m

My chest tightened as I watched Flora walk away. Then, I straightened my outfit and went to my mother's company.That afternoon, I had plans with a few classmates to go back to my previous school and visit our teacher.While we were talking, I happened to scroll past a new post from Sean on his social media. "Walking around campus with my love again feels like I'm being given a second chance to clear my regrets for not being with her during senior high."When I saw the familiar background, my heart skipped a beat, and I left in a hurry.Flora and I had a secret base on the second floor of the East Building, a private storeroom filled with my memories. When I arrived, the place was a wreck. The model I had used to win a competition was smashed on the floor, and its pieces were scattered on the floor. My collection of game cartridges had been dumped out and tossed everywhere. My diary even had marks from someone trying to force it open. If it wasn't locked, I'd have no more secrets l

"Vincent has already gone abroad for his studies." Miranda said as she walked over to Flora and Jack slowly.Flora froze.Vincent had left the country to study without even saying goodbye?Ha!It must be because he was still sulking about the fact that she was marrying Sean.That was fine.Flora was very certain Vincent could never truly let her go and focus on his academics overseas. Very soon, he would find some excuse to come home, insisting on staying by her side.Whatever. She would try to persuade him when he came back. For now, he could do as he pleased.Miranda's steady gaze swept over Flora and Sean, then she said, "Congratulations on your marriage, Flora. Now that you're married, you need to learn to shoulder a wife's responsibilities."Flora was irritated. She had never liked this stepmother of hers. She was overbearing and loved to lecture, but she had never shown her any disrespect.Miranda was a cunning woman, and it was as if she could see straight through ever

I knew almost nothing about what was happening back home over the past few years. I was just trying to stay afloat, after all.My mother kept her word. After sending me overseas, I got no other help at all, other than a monthly allowance into my bank account. Every step I took in the beginning was hard.My classmates were all top students from across the world. There was always a silent bias in language, lab work, and even day-to-day socializing.I was struggling all the way.But I never once thought about dropping out or running home.Compared to my previous life, when I was thrown into the Northern Barrens and humiliated in every way, this was utopia!I reminded myself repeatedly that if one could not endure the pain of studying, one would pay for it in another way.It wasn't until year two that I started to get the hang of things. Strong grades, solid experimental results, and a few standout talents slowly earned me real respect.That was when I got a call from Flora. "Vin

I could not help but blurt out a cold laugh at Flora.Flora's tender expression froze on her face as she stared at me, stunned. She asked awkwardly, "Vincent, why are you... Why are you laughing?"I shook off her hand and answered in a nonchalant tone, "I'm laughing at how you make everything about yourself. Yes, I did have a crush on you once. When we were kids, you truly were nice to me. But even when we hit our teens, you never kept any distance or set any boundaries. You strung me along for years."Those extra presents every year, all that touching, even ripping up the love letters other girls gave me… Flora, you say you love me now, but do you remember what you said back then? You said I was disgusting."That was not even counting what had happened in my last life, when she had personally pushed me straight into the depths of the pit of despair.She liked me but refused to bear the weight of what that meant to everyone else.She liked me but also clung to her first love, Sea