Although there was no concrete evidence she was at that lab, Dominic’s intuition told him Jane was at Chrysalis. He bought a
plane ticket and immediately flew there.
Using the address provided by an alumnus, Dominic easily found the lab. The first experiment hadn’t started yet, and the lab
wasn’t locked down. He asked someone just returning from outside to help him find Jane.
I was surprised when Emily said someone was looking for me. I had only told a few people the lab’s address, and I had only just
left Concordia. Who could be looking for me?
With a questioning heart, I went out and discovered it was Dominic.
Seeing me, Dominic’s eyes welled up. The tension he’d been feeling for so long seemed to instantly dissipate. He grabbed my
wrist.
“Why did you break up with me? Why did you leave without a word? Do you know how hard I worked to find you?!”
Still reeling from the shock of seeing him, I was stunned by his barrage of questions and couldn’t immediately pull away.
Seeing my lack of resistance to his touch, Dominic felt a surge of hope. Perhaps I was just sulking, and after a proper explanation,
I would forgive him.
Unfortunately, his optimism was short–lived. I immediately shook off his hand, my expression impatient.
“Why are you here?”
Seeing my avoidance, he panicked.
“Jane, I’m here to apologize, I…”
“I don’t want to hear it “I interrupted.
“My position is clear: we’re over.”
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Chapter 17
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“I don’t know how you got my address, but please don’t contact me again. The experiment starts tomorrow, and I want to focus.
Just go back. Beverly needs you.”
Dominic knew his past behavior had deeply hurt me, hence my unyielding rejection. But he was willing to use time, everything he had, to make amends.
“Jane, I don’t have any feelings for Beverly. The person I love is you.”
After five years together, this was the first time he said he loved me. But those five years, devoid of happiness, had made me
realize I couldn’t believe those hollow words.
I glanced at him, my eyes filled with sarcasm.
“Don’t you think those words are ridiculous?”
I refused to engage further and returned to the lab. The first day of the experiment was tomorrow, and I had much to prepare.
Dominic’s persistent calls followed me, but I didn’t turn around.
Dominic found a hotel near the lab, thinking Jane couldn’t stay in the lab forever. He would see her again.
But days turned into weeks…a week passed, and Jane didn’t appear.
Dominic finally grew restless. He asked the security guard, learning that the first experiment had begun, and no one would leave until it was over.
Dominic urgently asked, “How long will the experiment last?”
The guard replied, “About a year and a half.”
Dominic flew back to Concordia in a daze.
Back home, lying on the bed they’d shared for five years, he felt an overwhelming coldness. No one would bring him water and medicine when he was sick, no one would call his name, no one would leave a light on for him when he came home late.
He curled up, seeking warmth. He fell asleep.
In his dream, the past few weeks never happened. He and Jane had a successful wedding, got their marriage certificate the next day, and became legal husband and wife. They went on a honeymoon, traveling throughout Europe, taking pictures at every sight.
Upon waking, Dominic couldn’t distinguish dream from reality. He instinctively called Jane’s name, but only the chirping of sparrows answered. He touched his pillow; it was wet with tears.
Jane’s resolute breakup and the mistaken identity of his childhood savior swirled in his mind, leaving him, disoriented.
But when his gaze fell on the bright red “breakup” written on the calendar, his mind cleared.
He didn’t want to break up with Jane. Even if she had to stay in the lab for a year and a half, he would wait.
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For twenty years, Jane had followed his lead. Now, roles reversed, he would follow hers. This time, he would prove his feelings.
Dominic’s gaze hardened. He would wait for Jane’s return.
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