Part 2The Ninety-Ninth Cancellation

The straight line of Arthur's mouth suddenly wavered.

My parents looked at me with both surprise and joy.

Because I'm as stubborn as a mule; once I set my mind on something, I never let go.

Similarly, I absolutely never turn back to things I don't want anymore.

Arthur clearly hadn't realized this.

He wearily pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking I was just throwing another crazy, jealous fit.

"Chloe Sterling, you'd better be able to back up what you say."

The reason he said this was because every time I made a fuss about breaking up, I would clamor to get back together within two days.

He thought this time was the same.

However, when he finished his tedious and complex experiments and returned home.

What greeted him was silence and desolation when he opened the door.

Arthur's groggy brain suddenly jammed.

After frowning in thought for a few seconds, he took out his phone and called me.

"Chloe Sterling, I'm hungry."

I froze on the other end of the line. I didn't expect this to be the first thing Arthur said after our cold war.

Thinking about it carefully, I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Arthur was hailed as a genius in the physics world.

No matter how complex the experiment, he could pull it off.

But someone like him had zero life skills.

Back then, I was young and completely obsessed with him.

I willingly moved into his place and became his maid.

I thought this would warm up his heart of stone.

But just now, Mia's social media, which was usually restricted from me, became visible.

[Day 100 of bringing food for my senior. Today is eggplant with minced pork over rice!]

The accompanying picture was a brightly colored lunch box, and I recognized at a glance that the long, slender hand in the frame belonged to Arthur.

[He said it was delicious, and he ate it all up!]

When I scrolled to this sentence, my eyes stung so much I could cry.

Because Arthur's most hated food was eggplant.

I pressed my finger hard against the screen, zooming in desperately, only to discover the nutritious meal I had painstakingly prepared for him by waking up at 6 AM every day.

It was in the trash can in the corner.

I forced down the emotions churning in my heart and enunciated every word:

"Arthur Vance, do you think I'm incredibly easy to bully?"

Hearing my crying voice.

His breathing hitched, and just as he wanted to say something else.

I had already hung up and blocked him.

I thought he was a smart person and would understand an adult's refusal to communicate.

It meant the end of this relationship.

But Arthur was clearly missing a screw compared to normal people.

In the pouring rain, he stood at my door holding a cake.

"Mia said to make a girl happy, you have to give her a cake. I specifically ran to..."

"Enough!"

I raised my hand and knocked the cake over, the accumulated emotions finally breaking the dam.

"Arthur Vance, you are not Mia's dog! You don't have to ask for her opinion on everything you do!"

"I've really had enough! You and Mia should just be together. I sincerely wish you two the best!"

The moment I roared and slammed the door shut.

Water droplets dripped from his long eyelashes, his gaze stunned.

Only then did he sluggishly realize that my anger this time was different from usual.

Before he could delve into it, his advisor called, saying there was a problem with the experimental data.

Arthur had no choice but to leave in a hurry.

We lost contact for half a month this time.

From my dad's brief mentions, it seemed he was preparing to contend for the most important prize in physics, the Buckley Prize.

However, one night, I received a call from him.

"Chloe, what are you doing?"

Hearing Arthur's exhausted, hoarse voice.

I paused for a moment, then told the truth:

"I'm trying on my wedding dress."