His words were clearly aimed at Jack. He
glanced at Jack as he spoke.
Warmth surged through me. Even after all
<
these years, my professor and his son still
protected me.
Professor Wen took my suitcase. “If you’re
ready, let’s go. The car’s waiting.”
I nodded, taking a couple of steps. Jack,
finally reacting, rushed forward, blocking me.
“Nancy, what’s wrong? Even if you’re leaving,
you should tell me!”
“What’s the meaning of this?”
His words made it sound like he was the
victim.
I laughed, mockingly. “Didn’t you tell me to
get out? You seem to have forgotten.
“Jack, if you’re losing your memory, see a
doctor. You’re too young for dementia.”
Chloe, who had been watching, intervened.
“Nancy, what do you mean? Why are you
insulting Jack?”
I finally snapped. I grabbed Chloe, tripped her,
and she landed face–first on the ground.
く
“I tolerated you because of Jack. Now, you
think you can boss me around?”
Chloe cried, her nose crooked. “Jack! Nancy
bullied me! Do something!”
I laughed, meeting Jack’s gaze. He hesitated, then helped Chloe up.
“Nancy, I was just angry. No need to
overreact.”
“I apologize if you’re upset. Let’s talk later,
don’t make a scene.”
He stressed “scene” and glanced at
Professor Wen.
Before, I might have turned back. But I’d seen
through Jack and Chloe–one provoking him,
the other indulging her whims.
I took a deep breath. “Talk now. You’re the
outsider here.”
Jack trembled. Under the dim streetlight, his
eyes showed anxiety.
“Nancy, you’re wrong. We’re married. We’re
not outsiders.”
I knew he panicked, having forgotten what
he’d done.
“Jack, we’re divorced. We’re not married.”
His anxiety grew. I didn’t bother arguing.
“Professor Wen, let’s go.”
He nodded, opening the car door for me.
As I sat down, Jack tried to approach, but
Chloe stopped him.
“Jack, my nose hurts! Take me to the
hospital!”
Jack hesitated, then helped Chloe.
“Nancy, wait! I’ll explain after I take Chloe to
the hospital!”
The car disappeared. Professor Wen
chuckled.
“Nancy, you’ve changed. You even started
throwing punches.”
I laughed, remembering our student days. I’d
always been mischievous, and Professor Wen,
L
gentle and patient, always covered for me.
We reached the familiar apartment building. I
stopped.
Professor Wen noticed. “Scared now? Why
didn’t you ask for help sooner?”
I kicked a pebble. “Professor didn’t approve
of Jack. If he knew, he’d kill me.”
Then, we heard our professor’s voice.
“And you’re afraid of me? You didn’t even
call, and you’re afraid of me?”
My professor stood there with his cane. Tears
welled up.
“You didn’t even greet your old professor?”
I ran to her, trembling. “Professor, I missed
you.”
Her eyes welled up. She held my hand. “Don’t
cry, Nancy. I’m here.”
Professor Wen parked, wiping his eyes. “Let’s
go home. It’s late.”
I helped my professor inside. So much had
く
changed, and yet so much remained the
same.
That night, we talked. I eventually persuaded
her to rest.
The next morning, I saw many missed calls
and texts from Jack. He’d called and texted
all night, but my phone was on silent.
He called again. I almost didn’t answer, but
my fingers pressed the button.
Jack’s voice was frantic. “Nancy, where were
you?”
“Why didn’t you answer my calls or texts?”
“Who was that with you? Why didn’t you tell
me? What’s your relationship?”
“Nancy, answer me!”
It felt strangely satisfying to hear his
frustration. Seeing him suffer felt good.
“Who he is and what our relationship is?”
