Chapter 2
My friends took me to the hospital. I’d swallowed so much water that the doctors were concerned about infection and wanted to keep me under observation. During my entire stay, Dominic never once visited. I only learned from a friend that he’d taken Faye to the art exhibition I’d begged him to attend with me for months. I couldn’t stop the tears streaming down my face. The pain spread through my chest like wildfire. The man who claimed to be my boyfriend was spending every moment with another woman.
Just then, my professor called, her voice gentle with concern: “Sienna, how are you feeling?”
I quickly wiped away my tears, forcing steadiness into my voice to hide my pain. “I’m fine, Professor. Just swallowed some water. Please don’t worry about me.” “Good to hear,” she sounded relieved, but then hesitated. “If you’re well enough… why withdraw from the design competition? Your boyfriend came by yesterday saying you couldn’t participate anymore and wanted me to give your spot to Faye.” “He said it was your decision, but I wanted to confirm directly with you.”
Her words left me speechless. After what felt like forever, I managed to speak, my voice strained: “Professor, I never said I wanted to withdraw.”
I had spent two entire months preparing for this design competition, working day and night on sketches. How could I possibly want to give it up?
Dominic knew how important this competition was to me. He knew exactly how much effort I’d put into it.
I trembled uncontrollably. How could he do this to me?
This wasn’t even the first time. He’d once taken a research paper I’d spent months perfecting and casually handed it to Faye.
When I confronted him about it, he’d dismissed my concerns completely: “It’s just a paper, Sienna. Don’t be so uptight. Faye needs it for her resume to get into her dream company.”
What he called “just a paper” represented countless sleepless nights of hard work. Yet he gave it away like a casual gift.
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I forgave him then because he promised that once Faye became independent, he would stop looking after her. We were about to graduate, and I fantasized about
returning to how things used to be between us.
Instead, he betrayed me again.
After hearing my explanation, my professor remained silent for a long time. When she finally spoke, her voice was gentle but firm: “Sienna, maybe you should
reconsider your future with him. An unfaithful partner and endless suspicion aren’t
the future you deserve.”
I choked back a sob as the accumulated pain of months finally overwhelmed me.
What had I done wrong? Didn’t Dominic feel any guilt for repeatedly hurting me
for Faye’s sake?
I don’t remember how long I cried–only that I continued until there were no tears
left. Then I realized it was time to let go.
I gripped my phone tightly. “Professor, I understand. Don’t worry–I’ll give this competition my absolute best. I won’t disappoint you.”
The professor sighed deeply. “You’re a good student, Sienna…” Then she paused before continuing, “Remember when you mentioned I could recommend you for a doctoral program at Berlin’s top design academy? I’d like to do that for you.”
My family had moved to Berlin for work and had twice tried to convince me to join them. Both times I’d refused because of Dominic. But now that I was finally ready
to leave him behind, it was time for me to go too.
“I’d love that opportunity, Professor,” I replied, my voice suddenly steady with
newfound resolve.
The professor sounded delighted. “Are you sure, Sienna? Once you commit, there’s no turning back. But don’t worry–my friend who’ll be teaching you is one of the best in the field. You’ll become a star in the design world…”
She had told me this before. With my talent, she always hoped I would study somewhere better. Now I was finally ready to seize this opportunity.
“I’m absolutely certain, Professor. I won’t regret this decision,” I said firmly.
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As I made the choice to leave Dominic behind, I felt a strange mixture of pain and relief. The moment I decided to give up on him hurt terribly–but I also felt lighter than I had in years.
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