Chapter 13
I didn’t have time to think about anything else. I hurriedly composed myself and entered the room. Five years had passed, and I noticed a few gray hairs on Professor Watts‘ head. I couldn’t help feeling ashamed and guilty when I thought about how I’d turned him down more than once just to be with Eugene
I had always been his favorite and yet most disappointing student. He had plenty to say, yet it all ended up in a heavy sigh. He said, “Remember to focus on the research now that you’re here.”
1 suppressed the emotional storm in me and nodded seriously. Professor Watts said nothing else. He waved, gesturing for Ezra to take me to the dorm so I could put away my things.
When I got there, I put down my bag and flopped onto the bed, sighing comfortably. From last night until now, I’d only slept during the two–hour flight here. I was exhausted, and my drowsiness washed over me the moment my head hit the pillow.
I drifted off to sleep before I could even unpack. Unfortunately, I was rudely awakened by my phone ringing. I struggled to wake up while feeling for my phone. My mind was still asleep, so I answered it based on instinct. That was when I heard Eugene’s enraged voice.
“Where the hell are you, Nerissa?” he snapped.
It exploded in my ear, instantly waking me up. I checked the time and saw that it hadn’t been long since I’d fallen asleep. The irritation of being rudely awakened and the fatigue from my journey made impatience and irritation color my tone.
I said, “I made it clear on the calendar. We’re over now.”
That only served to piss Eugene off further. Until now, he still had no idea why I’d done it. “No way! I never agreed to it! Besides, you need to at least give me a reason, don’t you? You left me jilted at the altar before disappearing with a simple sentence saying we’re over. What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
If I listened closely, I could hear an almost indiscernible hint of grievance in his tone. He’d never once thought of breaking up with me, nor had he expected to be dumped on our wedding day. I’d spent the past 20 years by his side–how could I suddenly leave?
However, all I wanted to do now was catch up on my sleep. I didn’t want to waste time arguing with Eugene. I said, “Cassandra is pregnant with your child. Did you think I would let a man who fathered someone else’s child become my husband? Anyway, I’ve finally seen sense. You don’t even like me.”
Eugene fell silent for a long time. I was almost about to fall asleep again when he asked hoarsely, “So, you’re ending things with me because of the baby?”
I didn’t answer. I could only say that Cassandra’s child was the match that had set the time bomb on which our relationship had balanced precariously alight.
It was through his and her interactions over the past six months that I realized he could actually be so gentle and tender. At the same time, I realized that he didn’t love me. That was the main reason I’d chosen to end things.
Eugene said, “I won’t agree to this breakup. Tell me where you are—I want to see you.”
I had no intention of seeing him again. Ending a relationship wasn’t the same as ending a marriage–it didn’t need the green light from both parties. As long as one party was determined to go, the relationship was over.
I also felt the best exes were those who acted like they were dead. They had to stop appearing in their former partners‘ lives.
That was why there was no need for Eugene and me to see each other. I said, “Let’s end things on a positive note, Eugene. I don’t want us to get nasty.” With that, I hung up. I didn’t give him the chance to speak. I went to Eugene’s number and blocked him, then checked my messages. That was when I realized he’d sent me several texts. The earliest was from this morning, asking about the wedding. After that, he started asking where I was upon realizing I’d left.
The number of times he’d texted me that day was probably already at par with how often he’d texted me in the whole of last month.
I quickly scrolled through everything before making sure he was blocked on WhatsApp, too. Then, I set my phone aside and pulled the covers over myself. I went back to sleep.
