Chapter 4
At that moment, Wayne noticed Stephen and, incredibly, reached out to stroke Diana’s cheek, and she didn’t pull away.
Stephen’s heart grew a little colder.
As Diana went to the counter to pay, Wayne walked over, his steps confident.
“Well, since you saw that, I have nothing more to hide,” he said, looking up with a mocking smile. “I’m officially going after Diana now. From now on, let’s see who wins. Don’t expect me to back off.”
Benjamin, standing nearby, couldn’t hold back and was ready to throw a punch.
Seeing this, Stephen stopped him, chuckling lightly. “Go ahead and pursue her. But don’t try to prove yourself to me. You’re not even in the same league.”
Wayne’s smug expression turned cold at that.
He had always heard about Stephen’s achievements and, as a student in the same field, was eager to prove he could surpass him.
“Hey, do you know why Diana lost interest in you? Because you’re too rigid!” Wayne scoffed. “You don’t understand her. She likes a young, romantic guy like me.”
Benjamin could hold back no longer. He couldn’t watch his friend being insulted like this and lunged forward, grabbing Wayne by the collar. “You’re not even a fraction of the man my friend is. What he’s achieved, you may never reach!”
Wayne, wounded by the truth, didn’t fight back. Instead, he sneered, “Go ahead, hit me if you dare.”
Benjamin didn’t hesitate, landing a punch that sent Wayne sprawling to the ground.
Watching the scene, Stephen frowned slightly.
Not fighting back… that didn’t seem like something a hot–headed kid would do.
Sure enough, a moment later, Diana rushed over, panic written across her face.
She anxiously helped Wayne up and glared at Stephen with anger. “Stephen, why would you hit him? I’m so disappointed in you!”
Wayne clutched his face, feigning innocence as he said, “Don’t blame Stephen, Diana. He’s probably just jealous. We have been spending a lot of time together.”
“I told you I’d be spending time with Wayne. Why are you so petty?” Diana chided, checking Wayne’s injury, her tone full of reproach and concern.,
Seeing this, Stephen didn’t even bother to explain.
“Pah! You’re such a fake, you pathetic excuse for a man,” Benjamin spat, clenching his fists. But Stephen patted his shoulder. “Let’s go,
Seeing the two of them carrying large shopping bags, Diana’s anger turned to confusion.
“Wait.”
“Why did you buy so much stuff? Don’t we still have bedding at home?”
“It’s all dirty. I’m replacing it.”
Without even turning around, Stephen’s voice was cold, leaving Diana feeling a strange sense of unease.
She suddenly noticed his thin clothes, so starkly different from Wayne’s, and felt a flash of worry.
“If you wanted a down jacket, you should’ve just told me. I’d buy it for you.”
“Stop being so petty. Once I’m done this week, I’ll come back and celebrate your birthday properly, okay?”
This time, Stephen didn’t respond, just kept walking forward.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Diana hadn’t come back, nor had she sent many messages.
If she did return, she’d see that Stephen had packed everything for his departure, leaving the house stripped of anything related to him.
Day after day, Stephen marked off the calendar as he sat in the corner of the sofa, counting down silently.
Time had flown by, and now only the last day remained.
