’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.