Maybe what I said had had some effect, as Nevaeh stopped looking for me.

It lasted for a few days before she started again, stubborn as ever. She would press her notes into my hands, and sometimes she would stay behind, insisting on helping me work through problems.

"Aren't you coming to Brookshire University with me to study finance? Your math still needs work."

For once, I did not argue.

In her world, I was still the same guy who would follow her without hesitation, no matter what she chose.

Maybe in this new life, we could at least be friends, even if we could not be together.

However, every time I looked up from studying, tired and unfocused, I would catch Edward staring at me with quiet resentment.

Then, one month before final exams, everything snapped.

I had just walked out of the school gates and was about to head to the bookstore across the street to pick up some reference books. I saw Nevaeh rushing toward me.

She was dragging Edward along with her. His face was pale, and there was blood on his clothes.

Before I could even react, she stopped right in front of me.

"Chester!" Her voice was tight, her anger barely held in. "You hate him so much that you hired people to beat him up outside of school?"

I froze.

I looked at Edward. Half his face was swollen, and the way he looked at me was full of fear and anger.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I frowned, a sense of disbelief rising in my chest.

"No idea?" Nevaeh let out an icy laugh that quickly caught the attention of the students nearby, who began turning to look.

"When those thugs were kicking him, they said Mr. Smith told them to teach Edward a lesson. Who else would use such disgusting methods besides you?

"So this is the real you! All that patience was just an act."

I looked at Edward. He was trembling.

"Chester, if you've got the guts, fight me fair and square instead of pulling dirty tricks like this.

"We're both guys. You should be ashamed of yourself for chickening out.” As he spoke, his body shook even more.

"I didn't do it." I looked straight at Nevaeh, my voice calm. "I wouldn't stoop that low."

"Where's your proof? Who's going to believe you?"

She would not listen. Edward's condition and his words had completely clouded her judgment.

She paused for a moment, like she was making a final decision. Then, her voice turned icy, each word clear and sharp. "Edward. Hit him back, just like how he hit you."

The words exploded in my ears. I stared at Nevaeh in disbelief.

She was telling Edward to hit me.

All my life, even my parents had never laid a hand on me.

Edward looked startled, too. He shook his head.

"Nevaeh…"

"Do it!" She shoved him lightly toward me, then grabbed hold of me, her hands locking me in place. "He owes you. I'm right here. No one's going to touch you ever again!"

More and more students gathered around us, their whispers buzzing like a swarm of mosquitoes.

Under all those eyes, Edward looked even more helpless and fragile. He raised his hand slowly, his fingers trembling.

It was as if he finally made up his mind.

He shut his eyes and swung.

Smack!

The sound was sharp and loud.

Pain burned across my face. The force was strong enough to make my ears ring. I tried to struggle, but Nevaeh's grip tightened, her nails digging into me in warning. She was born with immense strength. However, she hesitated when she saw the blood trickling from my nose.

She probably had not expected Edward to hit that hard. Something flickered in her eyes.

When she saw Edward standing there, shaking after the slap, she immediately let go of me and gave him a hug.

"It's okay now."

Then, she looked back at me. "I'm still willing to tutor you if you apologize properly now. We can still go to Brookshire University together.

"You’ve always wanted us to move out, right? We could even buy a place near campus…"

I looked at her.

Suddenly, I laughed.

"Brookshire University? You can go with Edward.

"I won't be joining you two."

’You want me to be your nanny again, just like in my last life? Keep dreaming!’ I thought.

Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward and slapped Edward hard across the face, right in front of Nevaeh. Then I looked at both of them, my gaze icy.

"Remember, this is my doing."

I had put all my strength into that slap. Edward's cheek swelled up instantly, and the pain made his whole body tremble.

"Chester!" Nevaeh's voice shook with disbelief and anger. "How dare you! So you're not even pretending to tolerate him anymore in front of me?"

I took a slow breath, my tone steady. "Why should I pretend? I'm just being clear and straightforward, hitting someone who deserves it in front of you. If I'm going to be accused anyway, I might as well make it true."

I bent down, picked up my backpack, brushed the dust off it, and slung it over my shoulder.

"Nevaeh, take your Edward and stay away from me."

I met her eyes and said each word slowly, "You make me sick."

Then, I turned and walked away.

Behind me, Nevaeh completely lost her temper.

"If you've got the guts, don't ever contact me again! When we get to Brookshire University, don't expect me to help you!"

‘Who cares?’ I thought.

I did not respond.

The crowd around us silently parted to make way. Their weird looks followed me, but I did not pay them any attention.

From that day on, the relationship between Nevaeh and me became strange.

Even though we were still in the same classroom, I treated her like she did not exist.

She tried to talk to me a few times, but I ignored her every time. Once, she handed me a blueberry muffin as a peace offering. I threw it straight into the trash in front of everyone.

The confusion and anger in her eyes grew deeper and deeper. Eventually, she started ignoring me, too.

However, none of that mattered to me anymore.

Final exams finally came to an end.

After handing in my last paper, I walked out of the exam hall into the warm, radiant sunlight, pausing to take a deep breath.

My parents were waiting outside, both of them wearing relaxed, proud smiles.

"How did it go?" my mom asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"Pretty well," I said with a smile.

All I was really thinking about was my study abroad application.

I had already received my acceptance from a university in Hollandia before finals. As soon as my results were submitted, I would receive my official offer and head there to start my studies.

"That's great. Let's go home. I made a ton of your favorite food!" my mom said happily.

When we got back, I started packing.

It was time to leave.

There was still a delicate box sitting on my desk. Inside were all the little things Nevaeh had given me over the years, along with a thick stack of letters she had written to me.

I opened the box and glanced inside. Then, without hesitation, I picked it up, walked out to the yard, and tossed the whole thing into the trash.

"Chester?" My mom stood in the doorway, looking at me in surprise.

"They're useless now. It’s better to throw them away." I dusted off my hands, my tone light.

She walked over and pulled me into a gentle hug. "Good. It's time to move forward."

The days before leaving the country passed quickly. I met up with friends, spent time with my family, and got everything ready for the trip.

I deliberately blocked out anything related to Nevaeh and Edward.

All I knew was that she had tried to contact me many times, but every attempt failed.

Her mom said she cried for a long time on the day she found out I had thrown away all the gifts and letters.

She said she did not understand why I had changed like that.

She said she regretted it.

As for me, I did not know what she was supposed to regret, and I did not care to figure it out. All I felt was excitement for the chapter ahead of me.

The airport was loud and crowded.

After checking in my luggage, I stood with my parents for one last goodbye.

"When you get there, you have to video call us every day," my mom said, her eyes red.

"I will, Mom. Don't worry."

"If you ever run short on money, tell me," my dad added, patting my shoulder firmly. "Don't make yourself suffer."

I promised them both and said a lot more things I did not even fully remember.

Just as I was about to go through security, someone came running toward me, out of breath.

She was stopped outside the checkpoint.

"Chester!"

Nevaeh's hair was messy, as if she had rushed over.

"Weren't you supposed to come to Brookshire University with me? Why did your parents say you're going abroad?

"Where are you going?"

There was panic in her voice, impossible to hide.

I did not respond.

I kept walking, letting her cry out behind me until security escorted her away.

When the plane finally took off, I looked out the window at the city shrinking below.

My heart was calm.

I knew that my new life, free from Nevaeh’s clutches, had finally begun.