Chapter 28
Kayla suddenly recalled that she’d handed him a piece of candy and a bandage on that sweltering summer day.
“So we’ve actually known each other for years,” she muttered.
Luke nodded. “Yeah. We have. I just got unlucky. I missed my shot once, and almost missed you for the rest of my life.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kayla’s tears were already falling freely. She thought her heart had long gone numb–yet somehow, it was stirring again.
“I’ll tell you the whole story… someday. Hey, why are you crying again? Stop it. When you cry, my wound starts hurting.”
He reached up to wipe her tears.
Kayla slapped his hand away. “You’re hooked up to a pain blocker–don’t give me that. Quit faking it.”
“No seriously, it hurts–my heart hurts.”
“Oh, knock it off. Do you want some water?”
“When are you going to make this official?” Luke teased.
“I asked if you want water.”
“I do. If it’s from my girlfriend, I’d even take poison.”
“Who said I was your girlfriend? Did I say yes?” Kayla snapped.
“You did. In your sleep.”
“Sleep–talk doesn’t count.”
At that, Luke fell silent.
Back and forth they went, their teasing banter sounding exactly like two people in love.
Outside the hospital room, Olivia beamed with pride. “That stab wound was worth every drop of blood.”
Luke’s dad, Ryan Kingston, wiped the sweat off his forehead and said, “Are you kidding me? Your son’s a black belt in taekwondo and still got knifed by a lady who barely weighs 80 pounds.”
Olivia shot back, “Oh, what do you know? Have you ever heard the phrase ‘last one in, best one out?‘ There’s a reason they say the new ones always win.” Ryan chimed in, “Yeah, because the new guy fights tooth and nail for what he wants.”
.Extra 1
After a second evaluation, Lily was found to have no mental illness and was sentenced to five years in prison for intentional assault.
Jonah, holding a copy of the verdict and a one–way ticket to Urnia, met Kayla one last time.
By then, she had already accepted Luke’s proposal. A bright new wedding ring gleamed on her finger.
Jonah handed her a wedding gift and said, “Congratulations.”
1
“Thanks,” Kayla replied with a polite smile as she took it.
“For the longest time, I couldn’t understand what I did wrong. Then I finally realized–it was my arrogance. I thought you’d never leave me. I kept pushing and taking, using up all your love until there was nothing left. I’m sorry for hurting you.”
Though the way he looked at Kayla still held traces of affection, their story had run its course. This was where their paths ended.
“Same thing I said before. You should move on, Professor Simpson. Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
After saying their final goodbye, Kayla and Jonah walked off in opposite directions. But after a few steps, Jonah couldn’t help himself–he turned around for one last look at her
But Kayla had already disappeared into the crowd.
The kind of peace and warmth she used to bring him—it was gone for good now.
Extra 2
On the first day of his senior year, Luke cut his long hair and put on his brand–new uniform.
He quit smoking, stayed away from troublemakers, and started focusing on school. He became a completely different person. However, the teenage girl. who changed him was gone.
It took him a long time to track her down. Eventually, he found out she’d transferred to Jolsa.
Chapter 28
2/2
He’d fly out there every school break–just to catch a glimpse of her from afar. He kept thinking that after the SAT, he would finally tell her how he felt.
But on the day of college applications, he saw her wrapped in the arms of another guy–a tall, bright student he knew was top of the class at her new school.
What hurt the most wasn’t just that the guy was amazing. It was that she really liked him back. Year after year, Luke tried to let go. He told himself they were never meant to be. Still, he couldn’t stop thinking that he had met her first.
It was like holding a one–way ticket to nowhere–Luke had been waiting eight long years with no end in sight.
The longing was so bitter that he’d gone to temples and begged the gods to give him just one chance. Just one chance to stand before her–openly, proudly–as a man who deserved her. Maybe the gods heard his prayers.
Because, that fall, the girl he’d missed for years returned to Astra, the city where it had all started. And this time, he wasn’t going to let her go.
Extra 3
On the day Kayla and Luke got married, Kayla posted something on her Instagram with the caption, “Thank you, my love. Thank you for showing me I’m still capable of loving. Let’s take on forever–together.”
