I threw myself into studying, spending nearly every day in the library.
Even my spa days with friends became rare.
Whenever we went out to eat, Naomi would make jokes at my expense.
"Hey, Valerie, what chapter are you on today? Let's hope next year your score isn't in the single digits."
The others burst into laughter.
Almost no one believed I could get into Redmont.
Not even Lacey, my best friend.
"Valerie, you should get a job, or find a man to support you. Not sit in my house talking about studying while I pay your bills."
Lacey asked me to move out.
With the little money I had left, I rented a tiny basement room.
After that, I couldn't even afford to spend long hours at the library.
I survived on three slices of bread a day, cramming myself into a basement barely big enough for a bed, studying until my eyes burned.
My friends couldn't stand watching me like that and tried to set me up with new men.
One handsome man after another showed up with flowers. None of them were inferior to Babur.
One even proposed.
I refused them all and told them honestly, "I'm focused on getting into Redmont University. I'm not looking for a relationship right now."
Somehow, word got back to Babur.
When he came to see me, arrogance was written all over his face.
"Valerie, I heard about you. I know you're still in love with me. No need to make up excuses like that."
He extended his hand as if offering charity.
"I told you before, Valerie. If you behave, I don't mind supporting you. Stop pretending you're suffering. Come home."
I looked at his outstretched hand and remembered how, three years ago, he had held it out the same way, inviting me into his home.
Back then, he had promised me a lifetime of happiness.
It turned out his "lifetime" had lasted only three years.
I raised my hand, and in the middle of his expectant smile, I slapped his hand away.
"Don't flatter yourself, Babur. I already believed a man's empty promises once. I won't do it again. This time, I'm working for my own future, and I'm getting into Redmont."
Babur's expression darkened. He stared at me for a long moment before a mocking smile curved his lips.
"Fine, Valerie. See you in a year. Let's hope you actually show up at Redmont's exam hall instead of just talking big."
His visit only fueled the fire inside me.
I poured nearly every ounce of energy into studying.
One year later, I stepped into the exam hall.
When I saw the test paper, relief washed over me.
Every topic on it was something I had studied.
Hours later, when I walked out, I felt lighter than I had in years.
I didn't expect to run into Babur there.
He wore a green suit with a bright red tie and brown shoes.
Like a walking Christmas tree, I thought silently as I turned to leave. But he spotted me.
"Valerie!"
He stepped in front of me, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"You've gotten even prettier. Didn't expect you to actually show up for the exam."
Babur casually pulled out a cigarette and lit it, arrogance settling over him again.
"Or did you hear I'd be helping out here and come looking for me? Valerie. I told you before, if you change your mind, you're always welcome to be my mis—"
I cut him off.
"You're overestimating yourself. Babur, the world doesn't revolve around you. And honestly, Redmont is far more appealing than you are."
His smile froze. He exhaled a cloud of smoke straight into my face, making me cough.
Then he laughed.
"Stop pretending, Valerie. Look at you. A bar suits you better than an exam hall."
I heard the mockery clearly, and for a second, it still stung.
This was the man I had loved for three years, now comparing me to a hostess.
But I was no longer the Valerie who would cry herself to sleep over a single insult.
The moment I decided to stop loving him, I decided to stop wasting my emotions on him.
The sting faded. I looked at him calmly.
"Babur, beauty has nothing to do with intelligence. If I can stay beautiful and still study, that's because I'm capable of it. If you believe people can't have both looks and good grades, maybe that says more about your limitations than mine. As for whether I get into Redmont, we'll find out when the results come out."
I turned and walked away without looking back.
A few days later, on the day results were released, Babur showed up at my apartment.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing your score."
His expression was dripping with mockery. He had come to watch me fail.
This time, he was the one who would be disappointed.
I opened the results page.
When I saw the score displayed on the screen, my eyes widened.
