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.

I can’t tell you what it is.”

Graduated from Stanford, then Oxford. He’s incredibly young for his achievements.”

pressed my palm against my forehead, leaning on the sofa, my

see Alex, disheveled

from him. He leaned against the

breath.

he approached, took my face in his hands,

softened.

06:34

Years of Love. Seven Minutes

20.5%

Chapter 4

I’d tricked him, he didn’t mind, just played with my

I was too brave, too quiet in that moment, for him to understand the

this composed, never losing his cool over

was his impoverished youth that had forged this unflappable character, this ability to

composure might

my hand away, looking ahead: “Alex, my mom’s pressing me to go home for

the smile not quite faded from his stern face.

her I’d

I hadn’t meant to cry, but

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

bag, head down. “Look, I put your name on

could you ever repay these

peak, where every step

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