Chapter 2

“Audrey, you finally came around!”

Professor Thorne’s voice was filled with barely contained delight. “You absolutely *must* be there for the induction ceremony in three days!”

“It was always meant for you. You are the true star, the guest of honor!”

I simply hummed in response, listening as Professor Thorne continued to give instructions.

“That Noah kid, he did recommend a student named Briar Thorne to me.”

“I saw that design draft. It was brimming with creativity and showed a deep foundation. But that kind of innate design sense? No ordinary student could pull that off.”

“I found it suspicious then, and I’d been meaning to ask you about it. I just didn’t realize… you’re just too patient, kid.”

Professor Thorne’s words stirred a bitter ache in my chest.

After hanging up, I drove back to the apartment Noah and I had decorated together, a place filled with five years of memories.

Pushing open the door, Noah was sitting on the sofa, drinking a beer, talking to Briar Thorne on FaceTime. His voice was so soft and gentle, it could melt butter.

“Briar, don’t worry. I’ve handled everything with Professor Thorne. He really admires your talent.”

“Just be stunning at the induction ceremony.”

He saw me, but didn’t hang up. He just casually lifted his chin, gesturing for me to change my shoes.

After he finished the call, he noticed my calm demeanor and realized something was off. He scowled, his face full of impatience. “What now, Audrey Blake? Who annoyed you?”

I tossed my phone onto the coffee table in front of him. The screen showed the photo of the water-stained blueprint.

Noah’s face instantly changed. “Audrey Blake, what is this supposed to mean?”

“What do I mean? Noah, why is Briar Thorne’s name on *my* design?”

Seeing that I’d caught him, his tone softened slightly. “Audrey, I only did this for *our* future!”

“Think about it, if Briar becomes Professor Thorne’s protégé, won’t we have an extra connection in this industry? It’ll benefit both our careers!”

He reached for my hand, but I sidestepped, avoiding his touch.

“You’re going to doubt our five years together just because of a piece of paper?”

“Audrey Blake, you’re really disappointing me!”

Disappointing?

I looked at his indignant face and felt nothing but absurdity. “Disappointment? Is it because I didn’t use softer paper, so it chafed *her* skin?”

“You two know exactly what you did on my blueprints!”

At that, Noah’s face turned beet red. He snarled, “Audrey Blake! How can your mind be so filthy?!”

“Briar is young, she’s just a kid, she likes to joke around. Why are you getting so worked up over it? Don’t you have any dignity as an upperclassman?!”

I watched his furious outburst, and the last flicker of warmth in my heart completely extinguished.

That’s what true heartbreak feels like, when your heart just… dies.

“Noah, we’re over.”

I spoke calmly, and the air instantly solidified.

The anger on Noah’s face froze. He probably thought this was just another one of my usual “tantrums.”

Throughout our five-year relationship, he’d grown accustomed to my tolerance, my yielding, my habit of always revolving within the circle he drew for me.

“Audrey Blake, you’re being utterly unreasonable! Fine, I’ll let you cool off for a few days.”

He walked into the bedroom, slamming the door shut. “Once the induction ceremony is over, you’ll understand my good intentions.”

I looked at this man, who had become completely unrecognizable, and a cold smile touched my lips. Noah, there is no future for us anymore.