Chapter 4

I didn’t go to the hospital. Instead, I took a cab home.

The apartment Alex and I rented was a small one–bedroom. By the entrance stood a bookshelf with

several textbooks.

They were remnants from when I’d pushed him to complete his bachelor’s degree through online cour at a state university.

My mother was right – his education was limited. When we met, he said he only had a community college degree.

We were both young then. I just thought he was smart, with his whole life ahead of him. He shouldn’t

stay stuck at that level.

Even entry–level positions required bachelor’s degrees these days, with higher starting salaries.

I would work during the day, then stay up late helping him study.

While brushing our teeth side by side in the morning, I’d play French lessons on my phone, helping him review yesterday’s vocabulary. He said learning French would help his career prospects.

For months of practice GRE tests, I reviewed every question he worked through.

With time against us, we managed to complete his online degree in just eighteen months.

To celebrate, we scoured every platform for restaurant coupons just to afford a nice steakhouse dinner.

But now, reading Victoria Bennett’s messages, it all seemed absurd.

even Alex. I

Oxford. He’s incredibly young

pressed my palm against my forehead, leaning

opened. I looked up to see Alex, disheveled from frantically searching hospitals.

phone showed countless missed calls from him. He leaned against the

breath.

he approached, took my face in his hands, examining it. His tense

softened.

06:34

of Love. Seven Minutes

20.5%

Chapter 4

my fingers and smiled. “Let me put some medicine on it, before the

was too brave, too quiet in that moment, for him

this composed, never losing his

that had forged this unflappable character, this ability to remain

that such composure might instead come from extreme privilege.

“Alex, my mom’s

movements froze, the smile not quite faded from

told her I’d only

at him. I hadn’t meant to cry, but my

would love them. Boy or girl, doesn’t matter. A girl

my bag, head down. “Look, I

you ever repay these five passionate,

peak, where every step

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