At the graduation party, everyone was envious that our advisor was taking me and Barnaby Dickerson to work in Paris.
“I heard you two are getting your marriage registered the day after tomorrow? Talk about a double blessing — career and love, all at once!”
“They say couples who get married in a Parisian church are blessed with happiness!”
I was about to pull Barnaby up to toast everyone together.
Instead, he spoke, his voice flat：“We're not going.”
I froze.
“Mamie from our research group still hasn't finished her graduation experiment. She's been working really hard — I can't just stand by and do nothing.”
“As for Felicia, she'll stay behind with me.”
Barnaby patted my head gently. “I'm heading to the lab to help Mamie now. You can't hold your liquor, so go easy tonight.”
And just like that, he was gone.
The room went silent for a full minute before someone finally broke the tension：“You two are so great — not just a sweet couple, but always willing to help others.”
I forced out a thin smile, then turned and accepted the advisor's invitation.
He was the one who didn't want to go.
What gave him the right to decide for me?
……
“If the advisor asks, just tell him you don't want to go. Don't make things difficult for Mamie.”
“She's had it rough.”
The party had barely ended when Barnaby called.
I couldn't find any words.
Then I heard Mamie's voice in the background, whiny and sweet：“Barnaby, I keep messing this part up — what do I do?”
He didn't even hang up before rushing to comfort her：“Don't worry, take it slow. Give me your hand — I'll walk you through it step by step.”
I didn't argue. I didn't make a scene. I swallowed the bitterness filling my mouth, quietly ended the call, and went to find Professor Lawrence to fill out the application form.
“Why is it just you? Where's Barnaby?”
The professor looked puzzled.
“He's not coming.”
I said.
“What? Barnaby's always been so attentive — he'd really let you go abroad alone?”
Professor Lawrence was visibly taken aback. “And weren't you two planning to get your marriage registered?”
My nose stung.
Yeah.
Under the cherry blossoms, Barnaby had lain with his head in my lap and sworn I was the most important person to him. That he'd only ever be good to me, for the rest of his life.
“Maybe he was just joking around.”
The words had barely left my mouth when the office door swung open and Mamie walked right in.
“Professor.”
“Here's the latest lab report — take a look.”
She handed over the report, then immediately turned to me.
“Felicia, I'm so jealous you have a boyfriend like Team Leader Dickerson. This experiment only worked out because of his help.”
“Oh, and he said he'll be spending the next few months in the lab with me. You don't mind, right?”
The happiness glowing on Mamie's face reminded me of myself, once.
A wave of bitterness spread through my chest.
But I didn't let it show. I just shook my head lightly：“Of course not. That's Barnaby's choice to make.”
“Oh, really? Team Leader Dickerson's such a catch — so many girls after him. If one day he falls for someone else, that's just his choice too, right?”
The smile on Mamie's lips sharpened into something taunting.
“Mm.”
I nodded, calm.
Professor Lawrence caught the shift in the room and cut Mamie off with a frown：“What are you going on about? Get out. I'll deal with you later.”
“I was just asking.”
Mamie pouted and left.
The professor pulled out two forms and handed them to me：“Go back and tell Barnaby this opportunity doesn't come around often. Have him think it over.”
He paused.
“One more thing — keep an eye on Mamie Fox. Don't let Barnaby get too close to her.”
I understood all of that.
But you can't hold on to someone who's already walking away.
I had just stepped out of the building with the application forms when the sky opened up into a downpour.
Right on cue, Barnaby came striding over with an umbrella.
I moved toward him on instinct, but a figure darted under his umbrella before I could reach him.
