Chapter 3I Am Redemption

I froze. "Professor, wait! I'm feeling better, I can do it!"

Over a month ago, the university announced that a delegation from several Ivy League schools would be visiting. They selected a few students to act as hosts.

Thanks to my fluent English and excellent etiquette, I had secured one of the spots.

With the academic credit from this event, I would have enough to apply for a study abroad program at my dream university.

I had spent at least four hours every day for the past month practicing my presentation. Just a few days ago, my advisor was praising my dedication. Why the sudden change?

I rushed to the university to find her, insisting that I was completely recovered and that my illness wouldn't affect the event.

She sighed, then told me the truth.

"I know how much effort you've put into this, Kian."

"But the Dawson family just donated a new building to the school. Faye specifically requested that Nolan Prescott be added to the hosting team, and our hands were tied..."

"What did you say?" I heard my own voice, rough and raw, as if it had been scraped with gravel.

My advisor seemed to remember my relationship with Faye, and a flicker of regret crossed her face.

"I'm not going to get involved in your personal matters. You should go ask her about it yourself."

I found Faye in a practice room, helping Nolan with his conversational English.

Nolan’s English was so bad he hadn't even passed the basic proficiency test, and his spoken English was a disaster. I remembered hearing that he was short on credits and might have to delay his graduation.

Faye was really going all out for him.

She looked up at the sound of my footsteps, her eyes widening slightly when she saw me.

"Kian, what are you doing here?"

"Faye, was it you who took my hosting spot?"

A flash of guilt appeared on her face, but it was quickly replaced by a look of justification.

"Kian, Nolan will have to repeat a year if he doesn't get this credit. You're not short on credits. Giving him this opportunity won't cost you anything."

"But my study abroad application might get rejected! You know how hard I worked for this!"

"Then just apply again next year! I'll be right here with you, isn't that enough?"

Maybe it was because I'd never spoken to her with such intensity before, but Faye seemed irritated.

"Besides, the hosts they picked are all handsome guys and beautiful girls. Don't you think you'd look out of place standing with them? I'm doing this for your own good, to save you from being mocked again."

I couldn't believe those words were coming from her mouth.

She was the one who used to hold me, comfort me, and tell me over and over not to care what other people thought.

And now, she was the one bluntly telling me how she really felt.

The mockery of others had never been able to hurt me.

But a single sentence from Faye completely shattered me.

The kind, sincere girl I once knew... it seemed she was really gone.

My eyes burned, and my body trembled with anger.

Maybe she had never seen me like this before, because she looked a little scared. She instinctively raised a hand, as if to wipe away a tear I didn't know was there.

But beside her, Nolan let out a sniffle.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have taken your spot. It's just... you said you had a fever, so I thought maybe I had a chance."

"It's just one more year, I can work harder. Faye, give him the spot back."

As he spoke, tears rolled down his cheeks like pearls from a broken string.

As expected of the campus heartthrob—even his crying was beautiful.

Compared to my hysterical state, it was clear where Faye's sympathies lay.

Her gaze fell on my reddened eyes and the dense freckles on my face, and a flicker of disgust crossed her features.

"Kian, when did you become so selfish and cold-hearted?"

"Nolan's family isn't well-off. Do you know what a burden another year of tuition and living expenses would be? Are you only thinking about yourself?"

"I got together with you because I thought you were kind. But look at you now. Is there anything left about you to like?"

My fingers curled into tight fists.

My voice was exhausted. "Then... let's break up."