Emmy flipped through the pages, skimming a few lines. The paper was packed with cutting-edge AI neural algorithms, every argument sharp and flawless—she couldn’t find a single thing wrong with it.
“This is really well done.”
“It’s written by your ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend,” Dominic said, lips quirking into a sly grin. “So? Not feeling a little salty?”
Emmy’s brow creased as she closed the paper and set it aside.
“He’s not my boyfriend anymore.”
Dominic raised his eyebrows, pretending to be surprised. “Oh? Got dumped?”
He gave her a slow once-over, voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Can’t say I blame him. She’s a star—why would he look at you? Or are you hoping to use my name to shine yourself up, then win him back?”
“No,” Emmy shook her head, steady and firm. “I just… wasted too much time. I want to pick up what I lost and actually learn something this time.”
Dominic watched her, his gaze sharp. The restlessness she’d had years ago was gone. Now there was only a calm, almost stubborn determination in her eyes.
Looks like she finally got over him, he thought. She’s stronger now. Maybe she’s finally ready.
A flicker of sympathy crossed his mind, but he kept his tone tough.
“Sure, kid. Tell that story to someone else.”
“I have standards for my students,” he leaned back in his chair, looking her up and down. “Your degree isn’t good enough.”
Emmy froze.
All this time, she’d just been apologizing—she never actually asked him to take her back as his student.
So the old man saw her messages and just ignored her on purpose.
She pushed down a half-laugh, half-cry and met his eyes, her own shining with resolve.
“Professor, I’m applying to grad school. I’m aiming for Capital College. I won’t embarrass you ever again.”
Dominic snorted, picking up his tea with a lazy hand. “I’ll think about it.”
Then his tone flipped, sharp again. “But if you run off halfway, maybe Evelina’s a better candidate.”
Emmy’s heart tightened.
The IV dripped steadily. Night had already fallen outside.
She glanced over at the man sitting next to her, his phone buzzing nonstop in his hand. In a small voice, she said, “It’s late. You should go home and get some rest.”
He made a low sound in response and, true to his word, got up and left.
Emmy stared at the ceiling, a hollow ache in her chest.
Back when she so much as caught a cold, Dean would have stayed by her side all night.
She found herself missing that, just for a moment.
Then she let out a soft, bitter laugh. It was over. That part of her life was done.
She picked up her phone. Abriella’s name flashed on the screen.
“Emmy! Did you forget to eat again? Great, now you’ve landed yourself in the hospital!”
Emmy blinked. “How did you know I was in the hospital?”

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