Chapter 4

On my way back, a Snapchat message from Julian popped up.

"Higgins told me what happened. Sera, stop making a scene. Chloe is still waiting for you to help her with the data."

Looking at the message, I let out a bitter, dry laugh.

He stole my research, stripped my name off my own paper, and still expected me to help his new girl fix her errors.

I locked my phone and shoved it into my pocket.

That night, alone in my rented apartment, I opened my laptop.

There was a new email in my inbox.

It was from Chloe.

"Sera, I tried adjusting the data model the way you suggested, but it's still not working. Could you please take a look? I've attached the files. Thank you!"

I opened the attachment.

She had changed the parameters of my model, completely ruining the fitting results. But the real issue wasn't the parameters—it was that she didn't understand the core logic of the model at all.

It took me three months to build this model, from the mathematical derivation to writing the code.

Julian didn't understand it, and Chloe understood it even less.

They only knew how to copy and paste it, but they had no idea how it actually worked.

I stared at the lines of code on my screen. My fingers hovered over the keyboard.

Then, I closed the file. I didn't reply.

At 11:00 PM, Julian called.

"Sera, Chloe said she emailed you but you haven't replied. What's going on?"

"I'm busy."

"Busy with what?"

"My Master's thesis."

There was a brief silence on the other end.

"Sera, I know you're upset. But the paper is a done deal. Throwing a fit won't change anything. Chloe really needs help. Just help her out, and we can keep things professional and pleasant."

"Pleasant?"

"Yeah," his tone was dead serious. "You help her this time, and I'll make sure to help you out with lab stuff in the future."

"Help me with what?"

"With your graduation," he chuckled. "Aren't you still working on your thesis? I can help you review your framework."

I gripped my phone so hard my nails dug into my palm.

He was using my own stolen research to buy favor with another girl, and then turned around to offer me crumbs of "help."

"No thanks," I said coldly. "I can write my own thesis."

"Sera, you—"

Before he could finish, I hung up.

I threw my phone onto the bed, sat at my desk, and stared out into the dark night.

Three years.

I had been working with Julian since my first year of grad school.

I believed everything he said. I did everything he asked.

He told me we'd go public once the paper was published, so I waited.

I waited for a year, only to have my name erased, and to see the ring I bought on another girl's finger.

My phone buzzed again.

It was a notification from the lab's Slack channel.

Higgins had posted an announcement: "Lab group dinner next Saturday. Everyone is expected to attend. Location TBD."

A string of "Got it" replies followed.

Julian replied: "Received. Chloe and I will be there on time."

Chloe and I.

The way he paired their names together felt like a soft-launch announcement.

Chloe replied right after: "Received! Can't wait to see everyone!" followed by a smiley face emoji.

I watched the chat roll up, message by message.

Someone asked: "Julian, is there something going on between you and Chloe?"

Julian replied with a winking emoji.

Then Chloe posted a blushing face.

The chat went wild.

"OMG! Are you guys together?"

"Congrats, Julian!"

"Chloe is so lucky!"

I locked my screen, turned the phone face down on the desk, and took a deep breath.

On Saturday evening, I put on a sleek black dress and did my makeup.

The girl in the mirror looked calm, but her eyes were cold as ice.

Before leaving, I opened my drawer and dug out the matching silver ring I had lost and eventually found.

It was identical to the one Julian gave Chloe.

I looked at it for a few seconds, then slid it onto my ring finger.

I wasn't wearing it for him. I was wearing it for myself.

I bought this ring. I paid for it. I chose the design.

I could wear it whenever I wanted, and it had absolutely nothing to do with Julian.