“Forget it. You’ll never have her.”
Ethan looked at him, his eyes glacial. “If I’d
known five years ago what a scumbag you
were, I would have taken her from you, even if she hated me for it.”
“You think you could take her from me?” Jason
scoffed. “Or are you just into other people’s leftovers?”
Ethan slammed his bloodied fist into Jason’s
jaw, his eyes blazing. “I’ll be waiting for your karma.”
Jason had never believed in karma. But when he
finally reached that dusty town, only to see
Ethan carrying Arnelia out of the desert, he knew. His karma had arrived, swift and merciless. He watched helplessly as Ethan carefully helped her into a jeep. She was so weak, Ethan had to lift her in. He followed them to the hospital. Professor Davis stopped him, but Ethan went inside with Amelia. The wind
died down, the dust settled. Jason spat out a mouthful of sand, lit a cigarette, then another. He turned to Professor Davis, his voice hoarse.
“Has she been here with you this whole time?”
“Yes. She’s been working very hard. She’s a
dedicated researcher.”
“But she’s not well…” He swallowed hard. “Has
it been…difficult for her?”
The professor tilted her chin, her gaze steady.
“No. She’s been very happy.”
Jason’s eyes were bloodshot, whether from the
wind or something else, it was hard to tell.
“Professor…is there any chance… will she ever
forgive me?” “I really regret what I did. I know I
was wrong…” He looked like a lost, helpless
child, clutching at her sleeve.
“I don’t know. But I respect Amelia’s decisions.”
“Professor, please, help me…”
She shook her head, pulling away. “Amelia is my
best student. I know her well. And she’s very
much like me.” “No one can help you with this.”
“But Professor, we were together for ten
years…”
“So what?” She smiled, a mixture of pity and
