Chapter 3

3.

After landing, I opened my messaging app and saw a friend request from Nancy.

Attached was a message: 【What is wrong with you? Why did you suddenly block me?】

I ignored it completely.

In the past, I had never walked away without a word, nor had I ever blocked her.

Even when I found out she stayed in touch with Seth, secretly planning weekend trips together.

Even when I noticed the new tattoo on her wrist was Seth's birthday.

I hadn't walked out. I had pretended to be blind to all of it.

I couldn't forget the radiant smile on her face when she first gifted me Peanut.

She had been the first person to genuinely ask if my quiet life felt lonely.

My days had been monotonous, filled only with dusty books, but she had made my existence feel meaningful.

Now, she brought me nothing but heartache.

So I chose to walk away.

I gave her freedom, and I gave myself peace.

Since I planned to settle down in Charleston long-term, I submitted my resignation to my former university.

I applied for an open faculty position at a local college here.

With my strong credentials and years of teaching experience, I sailed through the interview.

On my first day, the department scheduled me for an open lecture.

The topic was whether the journey or the destination mattered more in romantic love.

The students eagerly waited for my perspective.

I smiled and said, “Between two souls, there is rarely a guaranteed outcome defined by society. But that doesn't matter. Loving each other purely and sincerely in our youth is already a meaningful outcome in itself.”

The lecture hall erupted in applause.

Suddenly, a man in the back row stood up.

“In my opinion, if you don't possess the person in the end, it counts for nothing.”

It was Seth. He had actually tracked me down.

“Professor Cole, did your love ever have an outcome?”

His question dripped with blatant mockery.

My upbringing reminded me not to lose my temper in public.

I didn't answer his bait; I simply announced that class was dismissed.

As I gathered my lecture notes, Seth sauntered over.

“Thank you for walking away on your own.”

Triumph was written all over his face.

“When Nancy stayed in my bed last night, she promised she would divorce you and marry me.”

“I thought you would cling to her pathetically, but you actually left on your own. I really appreciate it.”

“Professor Cole, I know you're just a broke academic. Don't worry, I'll make sure Nancy gives you a decent chunk of cash in the settlement.”

I looked at him calmly. “Thank you for your generosity.”

“Once the settlement clears, I'll treat you to a hot dog from a street cart.”

With that, I turned and walked away.