Chapter 4
Dylan called asking where I was, why I wasn’t back yet.
I told him I’d gone downstairs to throw out trash and would be up soon.
He made a sound of acknowledgment.
He just went, “Mhm.”
“I’m gonna sleep then!”
When I got upstairs, Dylan was already asleep, facing left, close to the edge, leaving most of the bed
for me.
But I didn’t get in. Just sat on the edge of the bed.
I stared at Dylan’s back all night.
When I first met him, he was eighteen, had just gotten into college in this city.
The rebellious teenager had filled out his college applications behind his parents‘ backs. When he got the acceptance letter, he just ran away–no luggage, just a backpack.
His brother was worried and asked me to help, to pick him up at the station.
“He’s got no money and school hasn’t started yet. Let him stay at your place for a while. The little punk is stubborn as hell–if he says or does anything that pisses you off, just beat some sense into
him!”
I thought Derek was insane.
Even if it was just a teenage boy, I couldn’t have him living with me.
I was already planning to rent him a separate place.
But he was so pitiful, and so well–behaved.
When I picked him up at the station, he was crouched under a big tree, hugging his bag like an abandoned puppy.
15:04
Nine Years Wasted–Now I’m Marrying Your Rival
10.8%
Chapter 4
He obediently followed me home.
Before I could even suggest he find somewhere else to stay, he was already tugging on my sleeve,
playing for sympathy.
“Sister, I’m really good, I promise! I’ll cook for you and clean the house–please don’t kick me out!”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, thinking he was just making stuff up.
But he actually did cook for me every day and rode his little electric scooter to pick me up from
work.
Because of him, my cold rental apartment came alive.
My daily commute didn’t feel so rushed anymore.
We lived under the same roof for a month.
Later, I was the one who got him all set up and sent him off to school.
At first I thought it was just a brief encounter.
But then he told me he’d applied to that university because of me.
He said he’d seen me once when he was sixteen.
From that moment, all his hopes were pinned on me.
This man, when he was still just a boy, had come to me with his whole heart.
I fell for it.
But now he wanted to take it back.
So I had to quickly crawl out of this swamp.
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