Part 3We Became Strangers

Conrad Jackson.

He was the graduate student I had met during my junior year when I went abroad for a research project.

We were the same age, but he had skipped ahead by two years, so he was already pursuing his master's degree at the time.

Back then, he had strongly encouraged me to apply to his advisor's graduate program.

"For your field, the research environment overseas is much stronger than it is back home. You should consider coming here.

"Our lab could really use someone with your talent."

A year later, what he said hadn't changed in the slightest.

"I never imagined we had this kind of connection, but I don't want you to feel pressured. We can just be friends if that's what you'd prefer.

"My advisor still brings you up from time to time. He genuinely thinks highly of you. I'm curious, what do you have on your mind right now?"

He knew exactly where to draw the line. He effortlessly steered the conversation back to academics.

For the first time since stubbornly choosing to stay in the country for Samuel, I finally wavered.

Maybe it really was time for a change of environment.

We chatted briefly, and I sent him some of my personal information.

Not long after that, someone knocked on the door.

"Mrs. Gunther, I'm here to see Yvonne. I need to return a book I borrowed from her."

It was Samuel. He was back from the movies with Tina.

He walked into my bedroom, closed the door, and placed an elegant little box in front of me.

"Alright, stop being mad," he said softly.

"Open it, won't you?"

I lifted the lid and froze.

Inside was a pair of simple rings, and our initials were engraved on them.

"The purchase of a lifetime, for you and only you."

He took my hand and slipped one onto my finger as he recited the jewelry brand's famous slogan.

"So, are you feeling better now?"

I stared at his nonchalant expression. I didn't know how to respond.

Every time he noticed I was bothered by him and Tina, he would give me a gift that softened my heart.

This time should've been no different.

If only I hadn't come across that video in our class group chat ten minutes after he left.

"I just ran into the hottest guy in our department. He's shopping for engagement rings with his childhood sweetheart! Both their parents were there!"

"Woah! Are they getting married?"

"Tsk,tsk. They're winning at both love and academics. What a perfect life!"

"Look! Samuel immediately asked to see the biggest diamond. He's absolutely spoiling her!"

The video wasn't particularly clear, but it captured everything, including the moment after paying when Samuel specifically asked the sales associate for an extra empty gift box bearing the brand's logo.

Calmly, I checked the brand's official website and browsed through over three hundred products on its homepage.

As expected, the simple rings he had given me weren't among them.

He had simply bought an inexpensive pair of rings somewhere else, engraved our initials on them, and placed them inside that branded box.

His 'purchase of a lifetime' apparently came in countless copies, and I was simply the easiest one to fool.

[Tina and I ran into our parents right after the movie. We were just putting on a show with them.]

[Don't overthink it.]

Samuel was the first to message me.

"Yvonne, Samuel and I were really dragged there by our parents. Don't listen to all the gossip in class!

"I'll just hold onto the ring for you until later. Please don't let your imagination run wild!"

Tina then sent me voice messages.

Every single message told me not to overthink things.

I really wasn't going to anymore.

I picked up my phone and sent a single line of text.

[Samuel, let's break up.]