Chapter 3

I still didn't respond.

Jake continued at the other end of the line, "I'm drunk and have a headache. When you come over tomorrow morning, bring me the special breakfast soup from the cafeteria on campus."

The cold wind on the balcony made me shiver. I said, "We've already broken up."

On the other end, Jake was clearly too drunk to comprehend. He continued to repeat to himself, "She said the special breakfast soup from the cafeteria on our campus was delicious. You have to go early, or it'll be sold out. Then she'll be mad." Only Janet loved the special breakfast soup from the cafeteria on our campus.

I didn't listen any further and hung up the phone directly.

Early the next morning, Jake called again.

He didn't speak, so I had to say, "We've broken up. Let's not keep in touch anymore."

After a brief pause, he said, "Jenna, you know I don't like a woman who causes trouble. I'm really tired right now and don't have the energy to coax you."

I was not good with words. Facing Jake's accusations, I stubbornly insisted, saying, "We've broken up. Don't call me anymore."

Shortly after hanging up, Jake sent me a screenshot.

The name Janet had replaced the affectionate "Baby," along with two messages. "I've changed the contact name. Can you stop being angry now?" "I'm really busy lately. Be understanding and stop causing trouble."

I sighed and blocked Jake's social media accounts and phone number.

I didn't want to cause trouble. In the final moments of my life, I just wanted to have some peaceful time.

I threw myself into the lab and worked until midnight before returning to the dorm.

On the way back, an unfamiliar number kept calling me. I didn't answer.

The number sent me a text message. "Hey there, I'm apologizing to you. Is it enough? I shouldn't have said those things about you that evening. Can you stop being angry with Jake? Our company is just starting, and we're exhausted. You're making Jake lose focus on work..."

There was a long, sarcastic apology that I didn't bother to read. Then I blocked the number.

As I hesitated about changing my number, Jake appeared again.

How ironic it was! We had dated for two years, but the first time he waited for me outside the dorm after our breakup.

The temperature had dropped significantly these days, and his smoking hand was red from the cold. As I approached, he extinguished the cigarette and tried to put his scarf on me.

I stepped back and put on a mask. I never felt uncomfortable before when he smoked. But with my weakened immune system, even a whiff of his secondhand smoke made me feel uncomfortable. I coughed.

He put out the cigarette. "Haven't you still recovered from the cold? You've been looking pale lately. Let me take you to the hospital. Okay?"

With that, he tried to hold my hand. But I stepped back again to distance myself as I asked politely, "What's the matter?"

Jake held the scarf in his hand, looked at me, and chuckled. "Are you really mad this time? It's the first time I've seen you so angry. I thought you were always a gentle, soft pushover."

Hearing this, I really wanted to cry. I suddenly thought of my deceased father.

When I was a little girl, I always fought against other kids, and many little boys couldn't beat me. My parents often took me to apologize to others, but they never criticized me for being tough.

My dad would just smile, pat my head, and say to my mom, "Jenna is a little firecracker. She is never willing to be bullied."

But my father would never know that, after he and my mother died, people started treating me differently-like I was weak, someone they could push around without consequence.

Seeing my eyes turn red, Jake misunderstood me. He smiled and opened his arms. "I know you've been aggrieved. I've already taught Jake a lesson. Don't be angry, okay?"

I shook my head, composed myself, and calmly stepped back. I said, "Jake, I'm serious about the breakup."

Jake's face suddenly turned unsightly. "Jenna, my patience is limited. I don't have time for these games. You used to be so well-behaved and understanding. How did you become like this?"

I didn't have the energy to argue with him, so I forced a smile and said, "Then let's break up."

Jake's dark eyes stared at me. Then he suddenly laughed and said, "Alright. It's rare for you to be so tough. You just want me to coax you, don't you? Your birthday is coming up. I'll take you skiing abroad this year."

Skiing was Jake's favorite sport. Every year, he used to take her skiing abroad. And he only took her there.

After I dated Jake for two years, it was the first time he mentioned going skiing with me.

However, my condition could no longer handle long-distance travel.

"Jake, come to my apartment on my birthday. I have something to tell you."

I wanted Jake to know about the baby. After all, he was the father.

But I didn't expect that I waited for Jake nearly 11 o'clock in the morning, but he never showed up.