Chapter 217
Let It Go
Sophia Sullivan felt something was off these past few days.
Alexander Laurent seemed to be avoiding her.
He used to go for night runs every week.
Once, she heard noise in the hallway and opened her door.
She only caught a glimpse of his back as he closed his own door.
He would take a day or two off each month.
But recently, his door had remained shut.
The strangest incident was that one time.
She had just opened her door.
The gap in his door across the hall moved slightly.
Hearing her, it immediately closed shut.
Sophia stood frozen.
She couldn't understand it.
When had she offended him?
She couldn't even ask him since he was never around.
What was it about her that made him avoid her like this?
Right now, Alexander was standing by his window.
He listened to the sound of her footsteps fading away.
He watched until he saw her figure exit the residential complex.
Only then did he withdraw his gaze.
His expression was complex.
It wasn't that he wanted to hide.
He had no choice.
The first time he had that dream, he could still call it an accident.
But after seeing her in the cafeteria, he dreamed of her again that night.
It was even more outrageous than the first time.
In the dream, he was like a beast out of control.
Ignoring her pleas, he pinned her beneath him.
Reckless and relentless, without any fatigue.
After waking up, every detail replayed in his mind.
He ripped off the sheets and duvet cover in frustration.
He threw them all into the washing machine.
He didn't understand why he was having such dreams.
How could he defile her like that?
Yes, defile.
This self-loathing made it impossible for him to face Sophia.
If he saw her and those images resurfaced.
How could he face himself?
These past few days, Sylvia Laurent had brought over meals a few more times.
After returning home, she quietly said to her husband, "Our son is in a bad mood. He only asked for one portion of food. He might be heartbroken."
Frederick Laurent remained silent.
...
The research project was progressing smoothly.
The relationship between Sophia and her two colleagues grew more harmonious.
At noon that day, they went off-campus for lunch.
On their way back, they discussed their plans for the afternoon.
Hannah Morse suddenly stopped walking.
Sophia and Marcus Lawrence stopped with her.
Marcus asked, "What's wrong?"
Hannah motioned with her chin toward the school gate. "The ex-boyfriend is here again."
She looked at Sophia with sympathy.
Sophia's mouth twitched.
Was it too late to hide now?
It was too late.
Ethan Roscente had already seen her.
He was holding a bouquet of champagne roses, striding toward her.
Hannah cleared her throat lightly. "Marcus, I'm thirsty. Let's go buy some water?"
Marcus glanced at Sophia, then nodded. "Okay."
The two quickly left.
Sophia didn't even want to maintain surface peace. "Ethan, don't you have anything better to do?"
He was taken aback. "Sophia..."
"We broke up a year ago. Stop looking for me."
The man frowned and shoved the flowers into her arms. "No."
Sophia was exhausted. "How many times do I have to say it? You have so many options. Why keep pestering me?"
"Because you're the only one I want."
She gave a wry smile. "That's not what you said when you had your arm around Isabella Langley at Charlie Lowell's birthday party."
'Isabella is a good girl.'
'I want to make it official with her.'
His past words were like a slap to his face now.
His eyes reddened. "I was blind back then. I mistook a fake for the real thing. I know my apology is late, but you've always been the one I love most."
"Sophia, please forgive me?"
"It was right here that you agreed to be my girlfriend. Give me another chance. Let me win you back?"
Sophia handed the flowers back to him. "No."
"If you feel even a shred of remorse for me, stop showing up at the school gate."
"Your presence makes me the subject of gossip. It causes me trouble."
Ethan's displays of affection were always on his own terms.
She used to think it was candid and passionate.
Six wasted years made her see the truth.
It wasn't love. It was selfishness.
Selfishly using his own methods, ignoring her situation.
Sophia hated being talked about.
But he always flamboyantly delivered flowers.
He parked his car in the most conspicuous spot at the school entrance.
He came to her classroom, claiming he was there to accompany her to class.
He never knew how much gossip and ridicule she endured behind her back.
"...You never told me this... I didn't know..." Ethan murmured, dazed.
"Did you really not know?" Sophia's gaze was sharp. "Or would you have continued even if you did know?"
Ethan was speechless.
"Six years is a long time, but you never understood me, just like I never understood you. So, this relationship... let it go. There's no need to pick it back up."
After speaking, Sophia walked past him and left.
Ethan's face turned pale.
He took half a step back and collapsed onto a bench.
Not far away, behind a tree, two shadowy figures were watching intently.