Chapter 3

I remained silent.

Chloe continued, "Both of them have serious burns. Albert's got injuries to his face, back, and legs, and Vita's been burned on her legs, arms, and waist.

"If Albert hadn't rushed in and just let the firefighters save Vita, she probably wouldn't be hurt this badly.

"Albert ditched you to rescue Vita, and now look at him. Honestly, this is karma."

I didn't respond.

Silently, I thought to myself, 'Albert, seems like things turned out differently than you hoped in my previous life.'

Every day, I was juggling work and cramming for grad school.

One night, just as I was about to hit the books after dinner, Tasha called.

She said, "Thalia, the Ryan family stopped by our place today.

"Albert got caught in the fire, and his family's planning to sell their house to cover his skin grafts.

"His parents showed up to apologize for him and even tried to talk about your engagement with Albert again."

"So how did you reply?" I asked.

Tasha's voice perked up. "I turned them down flat.

"A guy who can't stay loyal isn't husband material at all. Why would we even consider him?"

I grinned with satisfaction and echoed, "Yeah, that's right."

I let it go and spent the next few days in calm routine.

On the weekend, I made plans to go shopping with Chloe. Just as I was about to leave, my phone lit up. It was from a number I didn't know.

I answered, "Hello?"

"Thalia, it's me," a voice on the other end said.

I thought in surprise, 'Is that Albert?

'I have blocked his number, so there's no way he could call me. 'Is he using someone else's phone?'

"What do you want?" I asked coldly.

Albert said, "I'm in the hospital right now. Can you come see me?"

"No," I shot back without hesitation.

Albert sighed softly, his exhaustion clear in his voice.

He said, "Even though we're not together anymore, we're still friends, right?

"Thalia, I'd really like to see you. Would you come visit me at the hospital?"

I shot back, "I don't want to see you. To me, you're not even a friend."

In my previous life, Albert made me suffer so much. Honestly, I could've come after him and make him regret ever crossing me.

But if I did, I would just live in pain and hatred.

So, I decided to let it go.

I'd rather cut him out, walk away for good, and finally focus on living my best life this time.

Maybe my two rejections finally got under Albert's skin, because his tone suddenly turned sharp.

He snapped, "Thalia, why are you acting all high and mighty?

"Let me make this clear. I never loved you. That confession I made was just a passing crush.

"The only one I've ever cared about is Vita. It has always been that way. Getting hurt saving her? I'd do it again in a heartbeat, no regrets.

"Just wait and see. Once I'm back on my feet, I'm marrying Vita.

"Without me, nobody else would ever want you. Guess you'll be flying solo for the rest of your life."

His words washed right over me. I didn't feel a thing. I was as calm as ever.

After a moment of silence, I said with a light tone, "Whatever happens in my life is none of your concern."

We were absolutely trash-talking Albert when Chloe and I brought him up.

Chloe said, "All that crap about love—if he's so head-over-heels for Vita, why's he still trying to see you? Is the guy for real, or just desperate?

"I'm telling you, those two won't end well. Just wait, it's gonna be a mess.

"They've both been burned up. They can hide it with clothes, but what about when those come off? Won't they start getting disgusted with each other?

"Anyway, I'm just waiting to see how Albert's pathetic loyalty blows up in his face.

"If those two don't get married in five years, I swear that I will go make it happen."

After Chloe finished, I chimed in, "Albert's family is thinking of selling their place."

Chloe looked a bit awkward. "Well, whatever, I'll just keep roasting him for being so ridiculously devoted."

I thought, 'Yeah, that place is basically the proof of just how far he'd go for that hopeless crush.'

Once we were done complaining about Albert, we started chatting about work and what life might look like down the road.

Chloe said, "Babe, keep working hard for grad school—just keep pushing and get to the top.

"You're gorgeous and smart. Seriously, you'll end up with someone way better, someone who actually treasures you."

Listening to Chloe's sweet words and hopes for me, I felt warm inside and super confident about my future.

"Yeah, let's go for it together and make our lives exactly how we want," I said.

"You bet," Chloe grinned.