Chapter 2

Lynn's POV

Water rushed in the bathroom.

I stood under the shower head, letting cold water wash over my body.

I didn't cry. My tears had already run dry in that heavy rain three days ago.

Now I was terrifyingly clear-headed.

After my shower, I dried my hair with a towel while handing Alexander his phone that he'd left on the sink.

"Your phone vibrated just now."

Looking at me, Alexander's Adam's apple bobbed.

He casually tossed the phone onto the bed, then stepped forward and pressed me against the closet. His hot breath fell on my neck as the ambiguous atmosphere rapidly heated up in the cramped room.

"Lynn..."

He called my name in a low voice, his hand wandering up along my waist.

My stomach turned with physiological revulsion again. I pressed down on his wandering hand at my waist.

"I'm not feeling well today. I don't want to."

Alexander's movements froze.

This unexpected rejection left him somewhat stunned.

After all, in the past, no matter how tired I was, as long as he wanted it, I would cooperate with flushed cheeks.

I looked at him and repeated myself. Only then did he suppress the heat in his body and obediently fetch the hairdryer to dry my hair.

"Okay, let's rest early tonight then."

After tidying up, we lay in bed. Alexander habitually hugged me from behind and said softly,

"Good night."

I stared at the mottled wall with my eyes open, not responding.

A dreamless night.

The next morning, the sound of me rummaging through things woke Alexander.

I was throwing things into a large black garbage bag.

Matching mugs, matching toothbrushes, the cheap stuffed animals he'd given me, even his old shirts... Everything I had once treasured.

Alexander woke with a start and sat up abruptly.

"Lynn, what are you doing? None of this is broken. Why are you throwing it all away?"

"These things are old and taking up space, so I want to get rid of them."

I didn't even look up.

"I'll buy new ones later."

Alexander froze for a moment, then walked over and ruffled my hair.

"Okay, I'll buy you a better set when I get paid next month."

I didn't dodge his hand, just pulled my lips into a slight smile without speaking.

I carried the garbage bag outside. As soon as I reached downstairs, the landlord called.

"Why the sudden move? Did you have a fight with your boyfriend? He works odd jobs for you every day, runs over ten miles in the dead of winter to buy you cake. Such a good guy. Don't be foolish!"

Listening to the landlord's advice, I laughed coldly.

Yes, what a great performance. Even the observers were moved, let alone someone in the middle of it all.

"There's no future for him and me. Please process the move-out paperwork. I don't need the deposit back."

I hung up and returned home. Alexander was changing clothes.

Just then, Alexander's phone rang.

A few seconds later, Victoria's tearful voice echoed clearly in the quiet room.

"Alexander, my stomach hurts so much... Lucas won't help me..."

Just one sentence, and Alexander, who moments ago had looked so tender, completely changed expression.

He grabbed his jacket, not even bothering to make up a decent excuse, and rushed toward the door.

"Lynn, my professor suddenly needs me for something urgent. I have to go back to campus. Eat without me today."

I stood there, watching his panicked retreating figure, and spoke.

"Is it your professor looking for you, or Victoria?"

Alexander's steps stopped abruptly.