So, this is how it ends.

I lost nothing more than a man who didn’t love me—why should I feel sad? I should be celebrating, really. Today, I not only freed myself from Kelvin but also received the official notification: I’d made the finals for the national physics competition. Double the happiness, right?

But as I made my way down the bustling street, the sounds around me faded, my vision blurred and I felt light-headed. Maybe it was the blood loss, or the mix of joy and sorrow hitting all at once. My body grew heavy and before I could steady myself, darkness overtook me.

***

I woke up in an unfamiliar room, sunlight filtering through elegant curtains and a faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air. The pain in my ankle was duller and when I glanced down, I noticed that my wound had been carefully re-bandaged. I tried to sit up, wincing slightly and then noticed a man sitting at a desk across the room.

He was writing intently, surrounded by stacks of books and scattered papers, occasionally pausing to tap his fingers against the wood as if in deep thought. His face, handsome and composed, looked vaguely familiar.

“Evan Blake?” I asked softly, still uncertain.

The man glanced up, his eyes warm as he gave a slight smile. Yes, it was him—Evan Blake, the prodigy of the physics world. With an IQ of 230, he had been known as a “medal collector” in international competitions since middle school. By twenty-five, he was already a renowned Harvard professor, someone every aspiring physicist admired.

“It’s me, Evan Blake. I’m the honorary chairman of this year’s physics competition,” he said, setting down his pen. His gaze was calm and reassuring.

“Oh, um… how did I end up here?” I mumbled, unsure of where to even begin.

Evan’s expression softened as he leaned back in his chair. “The organizers couldn’t reach you when they tried to call, so I decided to come by in person. I’ve read your work, Diana. Your research shows remarkable promise. But I didn’t expect to find our ‘physics genius’ injured in the street.” He offered a half-smile, his tone gentle. “Luckily, I was nearby.”

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment. I couldn’t possibly tell him that I’d fainted on the street because of a petty argument with Kelvin.

Sensing my discomfort, he waved a hand dismissively. “It’s alright; no need to explain. Let’s focus on getting you settled. I’ll take you back to the school soon to pack up your things. After that, we’ll head to the training base where you’ll prepare for the competition.”

When I opened my mouth to protest about my injury, he shook his head, amused. “Don’t worry. I’m quite competent in first aid. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.”

I nodded, feeling a strange warmth spreading through me. “Thank you, Professor Blake.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied with a kind smile.

As I lay back, I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Diana, I thought, you finally earned your place in this competition. Don’t let anything—or anyone—distract you from your goals. Kelvin’s betrayal had stung, but it wasn’t a loss. Letting go was better than clinging to someone who couldn’t value me.

***

Later, back in my dorm, I packed my things slowly, realizing this might be the last time I’d ever be here. Even if I didn’t win the finals, there would be other opportunities ahead, other paths to pursue.

I was carefully tucking a few keepsakes into my bag when I felt a sharp tug on my arm. I turned, shocked to see Kelvin standing there, his face contorted with anger.

“Whose car was that?” he demanded, his voice a low growl. “What do you think you’re doing, going behind my back to meet some other guy?”

I pulled my arm free, narrowing my eyes. “You lost the right to question me a long time ago, Kelvin. We’re done. I’m leaving for the competition and after that… who knows?”

His expression twisted with frustration. “Diana, you can’t be serious. You know how Luna needs me—”

“Enough,” I cut him off, feeling the last bit of patience drain out of me. “You’ve made your choices clear, Kelvin. Now I’m making mine.”

Without another glance, I picked up my suitcase, feeling lighter with each step away from him. I walked out, leaving the past behind and embracing the unknown future.

Kelvin, who had seemed cold and detached moments earlier, now glared at me, his face twisted in anger and his eyes bloodshot.

“You’d better explain how you got from South Ridge all the way back here to campus, Diana.” His grip on my arm tightened, making it clear he wasn’t joking.

I yanked my arm back, stunned by his fury. “Let go of me, Kelvin. We broke up—remember?”

He didn’t loosen his grip, his voice rising as he spat, “Don’t say we broke up! We didn’t break up!”

“Why does it matter, Kelvin? You can’t let go of Luna and now you want to control me?” My voice shook with frustration as I tried to pull away.

Kelvin’s face twisted with rage, like a man catching his wife in some unforgivable act. If I hadn’t been living through this, I would have thought I was the one who had hurt him.

“What’s going on here?” came a taunting voice from the crowd gathering around us.

It was the end of class and students lingered to watch, drawn to the unfolding drama like moths to a flame. A girl stepped forward, eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Hey, I’ve got first-hand info.” She smirked, flipping her hair. “Diana’s the only student from our school to qualify for the finals in the physics competition. Bet she ‘earned’ that spot by hooking up with some professor—otherwise, why would Kelvin be so mad?”

The crowd gasped and suddenly, all eyes were on me, filled with judgment and suspicion.

“Seriously, Diana? You’re not satisfied with Kelvin and now you’re going after some older guy?” Another girl sneered.

“Oh, come on,” sneered Karen, one of my oldest friends, with a look of pure disdain. “Diana’s parents died young. Maybe she just needs some ‘fatherly’ attention.”

The words struck me like a blow and my face drained of color. Karen, my best friend, knew how much losing my parents had hurt me; she knew that their memory was my most treasured, sacred part. And yet, here she was, using it to humiliate me.

I took a shaky breath, barely able to speak. “Karen… why would you say that? We’re supposed to be friends.”

She rolled her eyes, smirking. “Friends? I don’t need friends who are willing to stoop this low.”

I could barely breathe as the tears began to slip down my cheeks. Kelvin watched with a twisted smirk on his face, his lips curving upward as if he were enjoying every moment of my shame. He didn’t say a word, but his silence was worse than any insult.

Suddenly, someone shoved me from behind. I stumbled, my head snapping back as another voice in the crowd jeered.

“How dare this little cheat go behind Kelvin’s back? You’re lucky you haven’t been thrown out yet.”

But before Kelvin could say another word, a deep, calm voice cut through the chaos.

“Is this really how students at Princeton University treat someone qualified for the physics finals?”