Suddenly , he dropped to his knees beside my bed . " I'm a bastard . It's my fault . Please , just don't call the police . I'm begging you . " " I'll take responsibility for you , " he said , his bloodshot eyes filled with a desperate resolve . " If you can't take the finals , I'll retake the year with you . We'll go to the same university next year , choose the same major . After we graduate ... I'll marry you , okay ? " I picked up my phone and started to dial . The system's warning blared in my mind . [ HOST , YOU ARE A TRANSMIGRATOR . YOU CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE FEMALE LEAD'S CORE NARRATIVE . ] " What if I do it anyway ? " [ ANY ATTEMPT TO ALTER THE NARRATIVE WILL RESULT IN THE ERASURE OF ALL RELEVANT EVIDENCE AND THE FORFEITURE OF YOUR RETURN PASSAGE . HOST , PLEASE RECONSIDER . ] I squeezed the phone in my hand . I closed my eyes , my voice like ice . " Peter , get out . " 8 For the next few days , Peter didn't leave . He didn't go to school . During the day , he worked at a construction site . At night , he took odd jobs as an orderly at the hospital . He slept in the stairwell , hiding in the bathroom during rounds , and used every penny he earned to pay for my hospital bills . 09-57 Chapter 2 He started talking nonstop . He talked about my meals , about hospital gossip , about his plans for our repeating year . 09.37 " The cafeteria lady said millet porridge is good for you . I asked her to add extra dates . Is it sweet enough ? If you don't like it , I'll get you pumpk in porridge tomorrow . " " The old man in room 302 got caught sneaking out for a smoke again today . He looked like a little kid getting scolded . " " I looked up the prep schools nearby . There's a good one . I should have enough saved for tuition by the end of the summer . We can go togeth er , be deskmates again . " It was as if we had switched places . I put in my earbuds and said nothing . When I couldn't stand it anymore , I'd tell him to get lost , but he wouldn't leave . The day before our final exams , Seraphina showed up at my door . Peter was peeling an apple for me , the knife moving in one long , perfect spiral . " Where's your exam center ? I'll have my family book a hotel for you and arrange a car , " she said to him . " Not necessary , " Peter replied without looking up . Seraphina stomped her foot . " What do you mean , not necessary ? This is the most important exam of our lives ! You need to be well - rested ! I'm waiting for you to go to the same university as me ! " Peter finally stopped . He cut the apple into neat slices , placed them on a plate , and pushed it toward me . Only then did he look at Seraphina , his eyes completely void of warmth . " I'm not taking the exam . " Seraphina was flabbergasted . " What are you talking about ? " " Seraphina , " he said calmly , " I am the son of your family's driver and maid . I listened to you before because your family took care of me after my parents died . But I'm earning my own money now . I don't need their charity anymore . " " What are you saying ? " she said , her eyes wide with disbelief . " But you love me ... " Peter shook his head . " I never have . " " The person I love is Chloe . " Seraphina's face turned white . " How can that be ? " She grabbed his arm . " Did you remember something ?" Peter frowned and pulled away . " I don't know what you're talking about . This is my decision . It has nothing to do with you . " Seraphina's head snapped toward me , her eyes filled with hate . " This isn't how it was in my last life ... It's you , isn't it ? You changed things ! " Peter stood up , blocking her view of me . " You should leave . You're disturbing the patient . " I looked at Seraphina and silently mouthed two words : It was . 9 After the exams were over , Seraphina organized a class party . She invited everyone , specifically tagging me and Peter , saying it wouldn't be complete without us . Peter frowned at his phone . " Don't go . Your back is still healing . It'll be crowded and noisy . What if someone bumps into you ? " I stared at the name of the restaurant on the screen . My heart seized . It was the same restaurant , on the same night . This was my only chance to go home . " No , " I said firmly . " I have to go . " " But your injury ... " " It's fine . I'll be careful . " He finally sighed in defeat . " Okay . I'll watch out for you . Tell me the second you feel uncomfortable , " 09 Y Chapter 2 09:37 0 At the party , Seraphina was conspicuously absent . Peter hovered over me , constantly asking if I needed water , putting food on my plate I bare ly ate , just silently counted down the minutes . " Is your back hurting ? " he asked , his brow furrowed with worry . " Should we go home ? " Before I could answer , his phone rang . The name " Seraphina " glowed on the screen He hesitated , then answered . Her tearful voice immediately came through the speaker . " I was in a car accident ! At the corner of Fortune Avenue ! It hurts so much ... there's so much blood , I can't move please , come quickr The line went dead . The color drained from Peter's face . He shot to his feet , the chair screeching against the floor . " What's wrong ? " the class president asked . " It's Seraphina ! " Peter said , his words tumbling out in a panicked rush . " She was in a car accident ! A bad one ! On Fortune Avenue A few of the other students stood up . " I'll go check it out , " one of the guys said . " I live right near there . " " I'll go too , " another added . Peter , who had already reached the door , stopped . " Thank you ... " he said , his voice strained . He walked back and sat down next to me , forcing a smile . " You're still hurt . I'll stay here with you . " His fingers tapped a frantic , nervous rhythm on the table . He stared at his phone , but it remained dark . He grew more and more agitated , his lips pressed into a thin , tight line . I watched him , his anxiety a palpable thing in the air . " You should go , " I said softly . " You don't have to stay with me . I'll be fine here . " Peter looked at me , stunned . " But your back ... " I looked down , hiding the mockery in my eyes . " If you want to go , then go . " From beside me , Adrian spoke up . " Go . I'll look after her . " Peter bit his lip , then finally stood up . " I'll be back soon . Text me if you feel any pain . " Then he turned and ran . A few minutes later , my phone vibrated . A text from an unknown number . Someone asked me to give you something . I'm waiting in the left stairwell . 1 took a deep breath and opened my messages . I composed a new text to the fire department , clearly stating the restaurant's address and the potential fire hazards . I scheduled it to send in ten minutes . Then I stood up . " Where are you going ? " Adrian asked . " Home . " He smiled faintly . " Goodbye , then . "