There was still nearly half a month before the results would be out.
Shermaine had only told her parents about this. No one else knew, not even Nikki.
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After a restless night, she slept in the next morning, and when she woke up, she felt much more refreshed.
She pulled open the curtains and immediately spotted Ezra still standing down below. He seemed to be truly freezing, his body trembling slightly, his eyes bloodshot with a look of deep despair.
Shermaine took one glance at him before quickly closing the curtains. For a moment, she almost forgot about his bothersome presence.
Having finished up her work at the research institute, Shermaine still had to go to her regular job. She had kept her professor position at Judgeton University, which meant she could return to work there anytime.
On her way to work, she took the back gate of the apartment complex to avoid Ezra. She also made sure to stop by a real estate agency, asking them to help her find a better place to live.
Ezra waited for her for two full days. He had seen Shermaine briefly on the second day she came back, but after that, he never caught a glimpse of her again.
By the third day, he started to ask around, trying to find out any information about her. Eventually, he learned that she had moved out the day after their encounter. She had left in a hurry, her belongings barely packed.
The property management had cleared out her room, throwing most of her things away as if they were nothing but trash.
Hearing this, Ezra lost all composure. He rushed to the trash pile, completely oblivious to the stares of people around him, and began rummaging through the discarded items.
He went through everything Shermaine had left behind.
There were no photos, no gifts he had given her.
When Shermaine left over four years ago, Ezra had noticed that many things were missing from their home, mostly mementos of their relationship. But back then, he had convinced himself that Shermaine couldn’t bear to part with their shared memories and
had taken them with her.
Now, the realization slapped him hard in the face.
She hadn’t taken anything. She had discarded them all.
Shermaine was so desperate to escape him and the past they shared.
Ezra’s heart was a chaotic mess of panic. He sank to the ground beside the trash, looking utterly helpless.
Passersby gave him strange looks, but Ezra seemed to be unaware of them, muttering to himself in misery, “She doesn’t want me
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anymore. She really doesn’t want me anymore
Back at the university, Shermaine couldn’t avoid the curious questions from her colleagues.
She responded with polite, neutral answers
“Nothing happened. I was just feeling down, so I went on a trip to clear my head for a while.“”
As for the research institute, that was confidential. She couldn’t risk saying anything that might cause trouble.
strange
as clear that her colleagues didn’t buy her explanation. They looked at her with suspicion, their eyes filled with something
Shermaine didn’t understand why they looked at her that way, and she could tell that some of them were quietly mocking her. But
she didn’t care. She just focused on doing what she needed to do.
Soon, however, she realized the reason behind their odd behavior.
Just as she was leaving the lab, a child riding a tricycle came speeding toward her and collided with her hard.
The child wasn’t strong, but the tricycle was heavy, and the sudden impact made Shermaine’s face lose some color.
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The child in front of Shermaine seemed around three years old, his wide, curious eyes locked onto her.
He seemed to think bumping into people was a fun game, as he awkwardly shuffled his short legs backward, ready to charge at her again.
Shermaine rubbed the spot where he’d collided with her. She didn’t want to make a fuss with a toddler, but there was a flicker of
irritation rising in her chest.
“Whose kid is this? Where are his parents? Children shouldn’t be here.”
“That’s my son.” A familiar, sweet voice rang out, laced with a hint of challenge. “Other people’s kids aren’t allowed, but my
special status allows me to bring him.‘
Melanie clicked her heels over to them, her high heels tapping loudly on the floor.
Compared to years ago, she was no longer the naive girl she once was. Now, she looked much more polished and mature, though
her eyes had become sharper, with an edge of bitterness.
Shermaine hadn’t expected to run into Melanie here. Judging by the time, Melanie should have already graduated. So why was she
still hanging around?
It seemed Melanie noticed the confusion on Shermaine’s face and handed her a business card with a sly smile.
“It’s been a while, Ms. Stout,” she said, her lips curling slightly as her gaze scanned Shermaine with a sense of superiority.
Shermaine glanced at the card and raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Melanie had stayed at the university after graduation. She was now working in the school’s finance department.
Her field of study didn’t match the job, and her qualifications didn’t come close to what was required either. The only explanation
was that someone had pulled strings for her.
Shermaine recalled that Ezra was one of Judgeton University’s major investors. The implication was clear.
Seeing Shermaine’s expression, Melanie knew she understood. Thinking she had the upper hand now, Melanie could feel her
frustration and bitterness over the years dissipate.
Feeling smug, she couldn’t help but boast, “Yes, it’s exactly what you think. Everything I have now came from Ezra. And this is the son we have together.”
Melanie’s smile widened, her tone turning sharper. “You thought that after disappearing for over four years, Ezra would drop everything and come running back to you? Dream on. Even if he still thinks about you, there’s no way he’ll ever truly cut ties with me. We share a child, while you two have nothing.”
Shermaine glanced at the business card again, her response cold and indifferent. “Whatever.”
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Just one word, simple and calm. There was no anger, not even a hint of resentment.
It
It was like a punch to the air–meaningless.
Shermaine’s unflinching calmness rattled Melanie Furious, she took a step forward and grabbed Shermaine’s wrist, her eyes
burning with anger.
“Shermaine, you must be bitter that Ezra is mine now, aren’t you? Stop pretending ”
Shermaine didn’t even have the desire to look at her again.
Just then, her phone buzzed.
“Ms. Stout, this is the security department. Is everything alright?”
Shermaine answered smoothly, “There’s someone here in the lab with a child, causing a disturbance. It’s dangerous. I’ve tried to
ask them to leave, but they’re not listening. Could you send someone to handle this?”
The security replied quickly, “We’ll be there shortly.”
Melanie’s perfectly crafted face was twisted in rage, but she still tried to salvage some dignity, her voice dripping with
frustration..
“Shermaine, don’t kid yourself. The school won’t dare to do anything to me. After all, Ezra is the university’s biggest investor
now.”
But her words were swiftly contradicted.
Security arrived on the scene and, without hesitation, dragged Melanie away.
