Chapter 7 What a Small World
“oh, sweetheart What’s wrong? Rows must’ve done something to hurt you! I’m going to head over to the Pay residence tomorrow to tell them about this. How dare he bully my daughter!” Mom was shocked and quickly sat on the bed, wrapping her arms around me.
“H–He didn’t do anything, Mom I was just so moved by you treating me so well.” Theld her tightly and spoke through the tears
I wasn’t lying. Rowan hadn’t done anything to me. I’d just brought everything upon myself. He was an asshole with nothing to hide, and I was his foolish admirer.
Momputed my back gently and sighed deeply. I was her only daughter, so she knew me best. She would know about the pain Rowan had given me.
Anyway, I wasn’t a crybaby. I wouldn’t have shed tears if Itroly weren’t affected by anything.
She asked, “Do you still want your buffalo wings, then?”
“Of course. I’ve been craving them for ages.” I wiped my tears and got out of bed. 1 linked arms with Mom, still hiccaping from my ears as we headed downstairs.
Dad was probably already asleep. Mom and I sat at the dining table and chatted while I enjoyed the buffalo wings. They tasted amazing, and I inhaled them I’d eaten too ble over the years, so my stomach quickly became bloated from the food. 1 almost puked.
Mom patted my back. “Why did you eat so much and so quickly? You won’t be able to fall asleep later when you’re so full”
“I was starving.” laughed a little foolishly. The last time I’d had such a fulfilling meal was when I’d graduated from university and eaten with Jean and the others to celebrate. After that, I’d married Rowan and turned into a housewife.
“Well, you can’t just scarf everything down, no matter how hungry you are. Don’t stuff yourself,” Mom said gently.
Icling to her. “I want you to sleep in my room tonight, Mom Tell me how to improve my health!*
Mom agreed without a second thought.
When I woke up the following morning, I felt more relaxed than I’d ever been. I’d had a good meal and a good night’s sleep. After breakfast, I headed to the hospital. Benjamin was tidding with his phone. His bones weren’t injured, but the lacerations on his leg were serious enough to require stitches. It was wrapped in layers of gauze and bandages, so he couldn’t really move.
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“What are you doing here, miss?” He was surprised and a little shy to some “You don’t need to be so worried about me, really. You don’t need to visit me so frequently, too.” That wouldn’t do I smiled gently and tuned to Lee “Bring the things in, Law.”
He came in with a bunch of supplements and placed them on the bedside table
Benjamin was obviously stunned by this. He said in embarrassment, “My injury is just skin–deep, miss. It’s not that serious.
“skin–deep injuries are still injuries.” I sat down and smiled at him again.
“Oh, right. I still don’t know your name, miss.”
“My surname is Sadler, so you can call me Ms. Sadler,” I said I didn’t think he would make me sound older than I was by addressing me like that–I was six years older than him, after all
He nodded. “Alright, then. Ms. Sadler.”
I kept him company and chatted with him. University students had simple minds and dreams. Benjamin was in his junior year at university and majored in civil engineering. It was currently his summer break, but he’d been working part–time to earn some money. He was a good kid
When he talked about the future, he also mentioned Ashley. His dream was to find a stable job after graduation before marrying the woman he loved.
Esnorted, which was a little rude, I quickly stopped mysel
Benjamin asked a little hesitantly, “What were you laughing at, Ms. Sadler?”
Irubbed my nose, continuing to be gentle. “It’s nothing was just reminded of my university days when you talked about yours. Once upon a time, I had wonderful dreamlike you do now
“Which university did you po to, Ms. Sadler?”
1 looked him in the eye. “Alton University.”
In fact, Rowan and were Benjamin’s and Ashley’s seniors. As expected, Benjamin said happily, “That makes you my senior, then! I’m studying at Alton University, too
I put on a happy look. “Oh, wow. It’s such a coincidence, isn’t it?”
There were several universities in Alton City, and Alton University was among the top three in the country Anyone who could get in there did at least have some brains, regardless of their family background.
People who graduated from there generally went on to have bright futures. Even if they didn’t make it big in life, they would at least have comfortable lives.
If Ashley hadn’t met Rowan, Benjamin’s dream probably would’ve come true.
He and I started talking about Alton University. He was a good conversationalist, and I wasn’t half bad myself. As we chatted away, someone entered the room. A liking voice ring out, saying, “I’m here to see you, Benji!”
Lcouldn’t help thinking about the custom ringtone own had set in my previous life. It was the exact same voice and tone.
I turned to see Ashley in a white chiffon dress. Her hale cascaded over her shoulders, its tips cerling naturally. There was a sort of femininity amidst her naivety–she was very
I wasn’t jealous of her outer beauty. What made me feel bitter was the youth and energy she exuded. When I was 20, I’d already had a crush on Rowan for three years. I’d spent the best years of my youth on that heartbreaking one–sided love
Why was it that Ashley and had had such differing encounters with Rowan when we were t
my journal entries
the same age? She’d gotten his love and affection, while could only has over him
“Ashi!” Berganda’s face lit up when he saw Ashley. Th, it tell slightly. “I’d known you would come over, I wouldn’t have told you about this. I didn’t want you to worry abou