Chapter 12
“What!” Elodie couldn’t help but exclaim. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. It’s a great opportunity, and you know studying abroad has always been my dream. I want to start a new life.”
The meaning was clear: she had truly decided to forget Landon.
No matter how much Elodie tried to talk her out of it, Melody’s mind was made up.
On Landon’s birthday, Elodie took Melody’s gift and went to find him. There were some things she just couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Landon, did you ever, even for a second, actually like Mel?”
Landon, holding a legal document, replied nonchalantly, “What are you trying to say?”
“If you didn’t like her, why did you waste her time! Do you have any idea how much Mel liked you?”
“That time she ran through the rain to bring you medicine? She came back with a fever and wouldn’t let me tell you. Ever since she found out about your stomach problems, where do you think those meals came from? She begged the owner of the restaurant off-campus to let her use their kitchen to cook for you. You left her alone in a movie theater for a meeting, did she ever blame you? I don’t care if you’ve broken up or are just fighting, how could you be so
inconsiderate and start messing around with Leah?”
Listening to Elodie’s tirade, Landon felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest. He had always known Melody liked him, but he never imagined she had done so
much for him.
After a moment, he pressed his temples. “I’m not with Leah. I didn’t know she was coming to class that day.”
Elodie had vented and couldn’t be bothered to listen. She shoved the gift box into his arms and said irritably, “This is the birthday present Mel got for you!”
Countless girls had given him gifts over the years, but this was the first time he had received one wrapped like this.
It was incredibly simple, yet it seemed to hold the owner’s most precious sentiments.
With mixed feelings, Landon opened it. The moment he saw what was inside, it felt as if something had violently struck his heart.
nside was a black sweater, and the pattern, it was identical to the one his mother hadn’t finished knitting before she died.
The more Elodie looked, the angrier she got. “You threw the one Auntie didn’t finish in a pile of junk at the old house. Mel was the one who dug it out, unraveled it, and re-knitted it. She spent forever searching for the pattern online, all to surprise you. And what about you? Do you even deserve her?”
With that, she turned and stormed off.
Landon stood there, holding the sweater, stunned for a long time.
He suddenly remembered the tear that fell when the girl had kissed him so resolutely: “I’m here. I’ll take their place and always love you.”
his girl, Melody, just how many foolish things had she done for him?
He had only gotten with her because of Skylar. He had been able to coldly agree to a breakup even when she was at her most desperate. But now, knowing all he had done for him, it felt as if an invisible hand was squeezing his heart, making it so hard to breathe he could barely stand it.
He finally couldn’t resist pulling out his phone. His long fingers hovered over Melody’s number. Just as he was about to dial, a voice came from behind him. Landon, the professor is looking for you.”
Landon froze. In the end, he put his phone away and turned toward the academic building.
The next morning, he finally finished his work. Just as he was about to head to the foreign languages department to find her, he received a call from Melody.
Seeing her name flash on the screen, the empty space that had been in his heart for days felt instantly filled. He immediately swiped to answer.
ust as he was about to speak, the girl’s distant, calm voice came from the other end.
“Landon, I’m calling to say goodbye.”
de frowned, his throat tightening. “What?”
“I thought I should hate you, but now I realize I can’t bring myself to.”
“You’ve probably forgotten, but the first time we met was on the rooftop. The sun was so bright that day. With just one look, you walked into my heart. Your words-that only by becoming excellent can you earn the right to not be hurt-have driven me to this day.”
“Landon, I like you. For longer than you know, and more than you know, I thought I could like you for a lifetime.” As she spoke, she let out a soft laugh. “But, I was wrong. So, let’s just let our memories end here.”
“In my heart, you’ll still be the Landon Crow I first met, forever bright and radiant, etched in my heart, imprinted on my nineteenth year. From now on, still strive to be a better person, but, it won’t be for you anymore.”
“Landon Crow, I don’t regret liking you, but from this moment on, I won’t like you anymore.”
“I wish you a life of integrity and immense glory.”
And as for us, we will never see each other again.”
With that, she gave him no chance to respond and hung up.
At the airport, Melody turned off her phone and walked toward the boarding gate without hesitation.
Landon stared at the dead phone screen, his heart in a panic for the first time. He wanted to call back, only to find her phone was already turned off.
A bad feeling grew stronger. He immediately dialed Elodie’s number.
“Where’s Melody? I need to see her. Where is she!” His voice was trembling violently.
On the other end, Elodie’s voice was as calm as still water. “You can’t see her.”
Landon froze. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Elodie’s words, delivered one by one.
Mel applied for the exchange student program. She’s already left for abroad.”
I will
