Then, Stefan was enveloped by the fragrance.


    When Vrie''s arms wrapped around his waist, his body stiffened as though he had been struck by an electric jolt.


    Before he could respond, she had already released him.


    Smiling, she said, "Thanks for dinner and for showing me around campus tonight. Goodnight."


    "G-Goodnight..." Stefan stammered.


    As Vrie walked away, the faint scent of gardenias lingered for a moment before fading, leaving Stefan with an inexplicable sense of loss.


    He stood there, watching her car until it disappeared from view. Only then did he snap back to reality and head toward his dorm.


    Just as he reached the building, his phone rang. Seeing the name "Michelle" on the screen, he hesitated before stepping aside to answer.


    "What do you want?" he asked.


    "Nothing much. Just wondering how things are going with Vrie," Michelle replied.


    "It''s whatever. If that''s all, I''m hanging up," Stefan said.


    A coldugh echoed from the other end of the line. "Stefan, if you still want me to cover your mother''s medical bills, you''d better do exactly what I say. Otherwise, you might want to start preparing for her funeral."


    Stefan''s grip on his phone tightened. He stood there, silent for more than ten seconds, forcing down the rage and helplessness threatening to surface. "I got it. I''ll do as you say."


    "I expect you and Vrie to be together within a month," Michelle demanded.


    Without waiting for him to respond, she ended the call.


    Stefan''s hand slowly dropped to his side.


    Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he turned toward the dorm and disappeared into the shadows.


    ...


    When Vrie arrived home, she frowned at the sight of Brandon''s car parked outside.


    Getting out of her car, she approached him and met his gaze coldly. "Brandon, why are you here again—"


    Before she could finish, he suddenly pulled her into his arms.


    She froze in shock, then immediately struggled. "Let go of me!"


    "Vrie....." Brandon''s voice was hoarse, almost pleading. "For this one month, can you not see other men? Can you not let them get close to you? I can''t stand it."


    Vrie quickly realized what was happening and sneered. "Are you having me followed, Brandon?"


    Otherwise, how would he be here at her house, saying this, when she had just been at Saintosh University with Stefan?


    "I just wanted to make sure you were


    safe. I wasn''t spying on you and


    Stefan df I had been, I wouldn''t be


    here waiting, would''ve gone


    straight to Saintosh University


    myself," Brandon defended.


    As he spoke, he tightened his grip, as though trying to fuse her into himself.


    "You''re hurting me! Let go!" Vrie cried.


    Hearing that, Brandon immediately loosened his hold.


    Vrie seized the opportunity to push him away, letting out a coldugh. "How is this any different from stalking?


    "Brandon, I don''t need you controlling who I see or what I do. If you keep following me, our one-month deal is off. I won''t give you another chance."


    "Vrie, I can''t stand seeing you smile at another man. I can''t bear the thought of you falling in love with someone else. That would be too


    cruel for me Just give me a month, that,


    okay? Affet''s giv


    ourselves


    another chance," Brandon pleaded.


    Cóntent


    Looking at his bloodshot eyes, Vrie clenched the strap of her purse and turned her head away You have no right to make demands of me, and I have no


    obligation to wait for you."


    To her, there was no way Brandon could go an entire month without seeing Michelle.


    He had made promises before, yet still met with Michelle behind her back.