Aspyn had no idea what was going on in Jay Guzman's head. It wasn't exactly shocking to find him here—he'd stayed on as a lecturer after graduation. Deciding not to overthink it, she said coolly, "I switched my major to chemical biology."
As soon as she said it, she caught a flicker of something ugly in Jay's eyes—sarcasm, maybe even disdain.
"That's awesome, sis! We'll be in the same department again. Jay's teaching chemical biology too!" Avayah chimed in brightly, her voice grating in Aspyn's ears. Aspyn's mouth tightened. Sharing a department with both of them was the last thing she wanted.
Faced with a choice between a major she had zero interest in or putting up with the Guzman siblings, she went with the latter—because she needed lab access. That was the only reason.
With that thought, her mood lifted slightly as she walked over to the department coordinator to apply for lab access.
"I'm sorry, but freshmen aren't allowed to use the lab. It's a safety protocol, you understand," the coordinator explained, sounding genuinely kind.
"I'm not exactly a freshman," Aspyn countered. "You can check the records. I took a year of chemical biology as an elective three years ago."
The coordinator typed in her details, and his expression shifted. He looked at her with something almost like sympathy. "I'm sorry, but you still can't use the lab."
"Why not?" Aspyn's forehead creased. She'd taken chemical biology before, and she'd applied for lab use multiple times—she clearly knew how to handle herself in there.
The coordinator sighed. "I apologize, but you're restricted from using it. At least for the next ninety days."
The way he stressed "ninety days" said it all. Aspyn's face went pale.
How could she have forgotten? She was still in her first ninety days on parole. The university's risk-management office would treat her record as a liability, especially in a lab filled with controlled chemicals.
And even after the intensive-supervision period ended, her record could still keep her from getting access.
Falling from grace was fast. Aspyn couldn't hide her disappointment—even Jay noticed, throwing her a second look.
But in a heartbeat, she pulled herself together, thanked the coordinator politely, and walked out.
"Aspyn..." Avayah called after her, but didn't follow.
Jay, remembering the sadness that had flickered across Aspyn's face, felt a twinge of unease. He quickly told Avayah, "Go ahead and explore the department," before going after Aspyn.
With his long strides, he caught up to her easily. "Why didn't you tell the family you took chemical biology three years ago?"
Aspyn glanced at him, her eyes free of sarcasm this time, yet Jay still felt guilty.
Sure, starting a new course was a big deal, and they hadn't known. He vaguely remembered her grades being excellent, but no one had ever bothered to ask what she wanted to study. They only ever cared about Avayah's choices.
Feeling restless and a little guilty, he said coolly, "Chemical biology isn't really a girly subject. You shouldn't have picked it just to be near me."
"No matter what you study, you're still my sister. That's a biological fact," he added.
He didn't actually believe Aspyn liked chemical biology. He figured she'd chosen it because of him. He remembered how she used to try every which way to talk to him, and how he'd mostly ignored her. Once, out of pure irritation, he'd snapped, "What should we talk about? Molecular transformations? Genetic codes? Do you even get any of it?"
After that, Aspyn had left him alone. Remembering it now made him soften a little, and he spoke like he was doing her a favor: "I'll talk to you from now on."
Seeing his self-important attitude, Aspyn couldn't help but laugh. "Really?"
Her reaction irritated him. "Can't you respond properly?"
He'd already extended an olive branch—how ungrateful could she be?
"Oh my! It's 2034, yet dinosaurs like you still exist?" Aspyn shot back. "Dear Mr. Jay Guzman, you've really expanded my worldview."
She hadn't meant to start a fight, but Jay's words kept hitting every sore spot while she was already in a bad mood.
Yes, initially she'd gotten into chemical biology because of Jay. But later... it became something she genuinely loved.
Now, she had zero desire to please anyone.
They weren't worth it.
Jay didn't catch the dinosaur jab, but he knew it wasn't flattering. His mild demeanor vanished, replaced by bitterness. "Aspyn, you'll regret this!"
Regret? Never.
Her biggest regret was coming back to the Guzman family and groveling to placate her so-called relatives.
Aspyn couldn't be bothered with Jay anymore. She walked away, leaving him stewing in his own bitterness.
After standing there for a while, Jay walked off too.
Once they were both gone, a tall figure stepped out from around the corner.
The man was wearing a shirt and trousers despite the scorching summer heat, his shirt buttoned all the way up, neat as a pin. He had a long neck leading to a firm jaw, thin lips, and a distinguished nose. Above that sat deep, expressive eyes, partly hidden behind thin-framed glasses that masked a certain sharpness.
Passing students greeted him with respect. "Professor Stewart!"
Isaias Stewart nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
He hadn't planned on eavesdropping on the siblings' conversation. But when he'd arrived, they were already in the thick of an argument. Interrupting would've been awkward, so he'd unintentionally found himself listening.
He didn't know the details of their relationship, but he had to admit—the girl's comebacks were pretty damn impressive.
A hint of a smile tugged at his lips, but it vanished as quickly as it came when he remembered why he was at the university today.
Would he find "Union" this time?
Three years had passed, and "Union" seemed to have vanished into thin air.
In his search for anything on "Union," he'd even taken a teaching position here. But it had all been for nothing.
Meanwhile, after parting ways with Jay, Aspyn left the university. Since she couldn't use the lab, there was no rush. She wanted to visit her grandmother first.
Three years had passed. Was Grandma okay?
"What? She's not here?"
Aspyn frowned. "Could you check again?"
"No record of the patient exists. Our records show she was discharged three years ago," the nurse confirmed, turning the computer screen toward Aspyn.
The discharge date lined up perfectly with right after Aspyn went to prison.
Had Grandma been cured? Grant had promised to find the best doctor for her surgery.
Aspyn thought for a moment, then hailed a cab to the hospital where her grandmother had been treated.
