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.

real name isn’t even Alex. I can’t tell you

from Stanford, then Oxford. He’s incredibly young

pressed my palm against my forehead, leaning

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

from him. He leaned against

breath.

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

softened.

06:34

Years of Love. Seven Minutes

20.5%

Chapter 4

tricked him, he didn’t mind, just played with my fingers and

that moment, for him to understand the pain

He’d always been this composed,

that had forged this unflappable character,

such composure might instead come from extreme privilege.

looking ahead: “Alex, my mom’s pressing me

froze, the smile not quite faded from his stern face.

loving gaze, “I told her I’d

at him. I hadn’t meant to cry,

have a child – your parents would love them. Boy or girl, doesn’t matter. A girl with your big eyes,

bag, head down.

could you ever repay these five passionate, foolish

peak, where every step down

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