Eleanor was stunned and didn''t know what to say.


    "I''m sorry. My reaction back then was intense, and my actions were foolish,"n said with a bitter smile.


    "You used Vanessa to provoke me?" Eleanor looked at him. "Why didn''t you just ask me?"


    Eleanor suddenly smiled too. "You wouldn''t have. Because I wouldn''t have either."


    She wouldn''t have confronted him about his real rtionship with Vanessa. She would have just spected and imagined things, constantly denying her own feelings and tormenting herself until she finally chose to end it all.


    He agreed.


    Back then, they were both afraid that asking the question would lead to an answer that would shatter thempletely.


    "Thankfully, we still have a chance to sit here and calmly talk about the past, and it gives me a chance to reflect on my foolishness."


    Eleanor was taken aback again, then she smiled as well. It was true. Who would have thought they could sit together so peacefully, taking stock of the mistakes they''d made?


    "You know, that day Henry Holt invited Joel to his private party, I thought he was there for you,"n said.


    Eleanor remembered. That was the dayn had warned her to be mindful of her status and had taken a drink for Vanessa during a game. And if she recalled correctly, she and Joel had been chatting quite animatedly together.


    Just then, Eleanor thought of something and nced at the time. She shot up from her seat. "I''m going to bete for my conference!"


    Eleanor scrambled to grab herptop bag and phone like a tardy student and tossed a hurried sentence at him, "I have to go!"


    As he smiled, his expression deepened, but in the end, he couldn''t suppress the curve of his lips.


    Eleanor was anything but rxed. It was a considerable distance from the hotel to the university conference room, and she had to walk.


    She broke into a light jog, her mind filled with the awkwardness and anxiety of beingte, just like her student days.


    After a brisk run, Eleanor finally


    arrived at the conference room, out of breath. She hurried to an empty


    seat managing not to disturb the presenter who was already on stage.


    Eleanor took a few deep breaths. Just as she took out her notebook, her phone


    buzzed. She quickly silenced it.


    She saw a message fromn: [Don''t worry. It''s okay if you''rete.]


    Eleanor quickly replied: [Made it.]


    Putting her phone away, she adjusted her posture and focused on the speaker, her thoughts quickly returning to the academic discussion.


    Fifteen minutester, it was her turn to give the closing remarks. There was no trace of nervousness on her


    face as she gave a brief summary of the exchange program.


    After the conference, the organizers announced a farewell dinner for that evening in the university auditorium. Attendees were wee to bring friends to rx and say ther


    goodbyes.


    "El, you have toe!" a female colleague said, grasping Eleanor''s hand in a warm invitation.


    Eleanor smiled and nodded. "Okay, I''ll definitely be there."


    "Are you bringing a friend?"


    Eleanor thought for a moment and nodded. "I''ll invite a friend."


    "We''re all bringing a bunch of friends. The more, the merrier!"


    As Eleanor walked out of the conference room, lost in thought, a low voice came


    from behind her. "What are you thinking about?"


    Eleanor turned. The summer sun was a bit blinding. Ian stood behind her.


    "Are you free tonight?" Eleanor asked, squinting. "There''s a farewell dinner, and we


    can invite friends. If you''re avable—"


    "I am,"n answered before she could finish.