Chapter 3
Linda's moves were getting more and more obvious.
She started copying my style, ditching her usual polished, gentle look for the hoodies and jeans I always wore.
She even went to the salon and got a haircut like mine.
It was such a clumsy imitation that it almost made me laugh.
In the office, in front of everyone, Linda acted all sentimental while talking about Jonathan.
"Before Jonathan lost his memory, we were really close," Linda said.
"We used to stay up late discussing academic stuff, and he always said I was someone who really understood him.
Then, like it was an afterthought, she mentioned me.
"But honestly, students these days are getting more and more out of line.
"Take Vivian, for example. She doesn't seem to care much about her studies. She relies on her looks to get close to Professor Stone, trying to take shortcuts."
Somehow, those words made their way to me.
Emily was so furious that she almost stormed into the admin office.
"That two-faced bitch! She's disgusting! Vivian, wait, I'm going to tear her apart." Emily fumed.
I grabbed her arm and shook my head.
"Don't. It's not worth it," I said.
"Getting into it with someone like her would drag you down to her level.
"The truth will come out."
I thought even if Jonathan had lost his memory, at least as a professor, he'd know how to judge things.
But I overestimated him and underestimated Linda.
On Friday afternoon, I headed to the office to submit my final thesis.
As I got to the door, I heard Linda's voice inside, all flirty and playful.
I stopped in my tracks, peering through the glass window to see what was happening inside.
Jonathan was sitting at his desk, his head slightly lowered.
Linda leaned in close. Her body almost pressed against him as she adjusted his tie.
A confident, satisfied smile on her face.
For a moment, my breath caught in my throat.
That tie, that place, they used to belong only to me.
My hand shook slightly as I pushed the door open.
The sound made them both look up.
When Jonathan saw me, he couldn't quite meet my eyes.
Linda, on the other hand, straightened up right away, her face wearing an innocent yet challenging smile.
"Oh, look who it is—Vivian," Linda said, her voice overly bright.
She then turned to Jonathan, acting pitiful.
"Jonathan, see? Didn't I say some students aren't exactly pure-hearted? Always showing up at the 'right' moment."
She was basically implying I showed up on purpose to snoop on their personal drama.
I gripped my thesis so tightly that my knuckles went pale, barely holding back my frustration.
I stared at Jonathan, hoping he'd speak up for me.
Even if he'd lost all memories of me, I wished he'd have the basic fairness a professor should have.
Jonathan met my gaze, his eyes full of conflict, struggle, and uncertainty.
But in the end, he looked away. "Ms. Lee, please be mindful of your behavior," he said, his voice cold.
It felt like something inside me exploded. My world shattered in that second.
Humiliation washed over me like a wave I couldn't escape.
He'd rather believe a calculating woman than the one who once lay beside him every night.
Was I really that worthless in his eyes?
My eyes burned, tears swirling desperately, threatening to spill.
I forced them back down, refusing to let a single drop fall.
I couldn't break here.
I walked up to the desk, step by step, and slammed my thesis, the result of four years of hard work, down with all my strength.
There was a loud bang.
Jonathan and Linda both startled.
I lifted my chin, forcing my voice steady and cold.
"Professor Stone," I said.
"I'm here about my grades.
"Your private life is none of my concern. But don't drag my name into it.
"I wish you and Ms. White a long, happy life together."
Then I turned and left. My back stayed straight all the way out.
The moment the door closed behind me, I broke. Tears came all at once.
Since Jonathan lost his memory, this was the first time I felt completely overwhelmed by humiliation, like I was drowning in it.
It wasn't about whether he still loved me. It was that he was the one who crushed whatever dignity I had left.