Mrs. Crosby was elated about me changing my mind and deciding to take the guaranteed admission.

However, the admission process was far trickier than I had imagined.

I was practically living in the registrar's office during that period. I spent my days organizing documents, stamping them, and signing paperwork. I was so busy that I barely had time to go to my classes.

Occasionally, I'd run into classmates in the hallway who would regard me with a mix of curiosity and what seemed like hesitation.

Finally, one of them blurted out the question, "Dominic, are you and Enya... How are things between you two?"

I continued flipping through the application form, hardly bothering to look up.

“What could happen between us?”

“I’ve been seeing Enya getting really close with Klay lately. I heard rumors they're together…

“You’ve always taken care of her in the past? Everyone just kind of assumed you two were a couple.”

I smiled briefly and jammed the application forms into a folder before stating plainly, “No. We’re just classmates. Don't look too much into it.”

They didn't seem convinced but knew better than to press further.

For whatever it was worth, I wasn't lying.

In my past life, I was completely dedicated to Enya. In this second life, just the idea of glancing at her felt like a waste of time.

On a certain day, I happened to bump into her outside of school.

It was a weekend, and I was heading to the bookstore to buy some reference material. As soon as I stepped out, I heard a shrill laughter.

It was Enya, and she was holding hands with Klay. They just happened to be stepping out of a luxury store across the street. I noticed they were carrying several bags branded with the store logo.

She noticed me immediately. Her expression turned glacial in an instant.

After some hesitation, she finally let go of Klay's hands and made a point of confronting me.

“What are you doing here? Are you stalking me? I told you, we're not together anymore!”

I couldn't be bothered to explain. All I did was glance at my watch before brushing her off.

“You're overthinking it. I don’t have time.”

“Quit pretending.”

She scoffed while jabbing at the books in my hand.

"Why are you still wasting time with these books now that you've been reborn? Is there anything else you know how to do other than read?"

I clenched the spine of the book and felt like I was on the verge of snapping.

What held me back was the thought that there was no point arguing with someone like her.

“Are you done?” I shot her a look. “If you are, I’m leaving.”

She did a double take, which suggested she wasn't expecting such a reaction from me.

Then, she turned around and took Klay's arm before declaring in a loud voice, "Let's go get something to eat, babe. I'm starving!"

Klay gave an offhanded nod before sizing me up. He regarded me as if I were someone beneath him.

"Bro, do you want to come with us? My treat."

“I’m good.”

As I was leaving, I heard Enya mocking me from behind.

"Quit acting all high and mighty! You're pathetic!"

I didn't take the bait and proceeded to cross the road.

I found myself thinking about my past life. Though I wasn't very rich, I was nowhere near as pathetic as Enya described me.

If she wanted something, I would buy it for her even if she did not explicitly ask for it.

I got her luxury bags worth tens of thousands, even bracelets worth hundreds of thousands. I didn't hold back with my love and did everything I could to keep her happy.

All that just to end up with her shunning me like this.

I found it quite laughable when I thought about it.

Upon getting home, I tossed the books on the table.

Then, my phone rang.

It was Mrs. Crosby from the National University. She called to tell me that my application had passed the initial screening and that I should start preparing for an interview.

After hanging up, I breathed a long sigh of relief.

Thankfully, I chose the right path in this life.

Nearly nobody in the class brought up Enya in the period leading up to the exam.

Occasionally, someone would mention her name while chit-chatting, saying she didn't show up for the graduation photo and had completely skipped the exam.

Klay did show up to take the exam at least. I know he was out of the exam hall within half an hour for each paper and he would speed off in his red BMW, as if he wanted to show off.

My deskmate shook his head while we were studying.

“Enya's lost her mind. Is she going to skip university so she can end up with some rich guy?”

I twirled my pen and commented nonchalantly, “Everyone has their goal in life.”

“You're being quite open-minded about it.” He gave me a look. “I heard Klay is going to take her to Newport. She’s going to be living the life of a rich wife from now on.”

I smiled but had nothing more to add.

If this were in my past life, I would have panicked. I might have even started begging her not to leave me.

I would try to convince her that she should at least go to university because it was what was best for her.

But now, what she wanted to do was none of my business.

To my surprise, Enya came to see me two weeks before the start of my first semester in university.

The sun was blazing overhead when she stood outside my door.

She was wearing a designer dress I had never seen before, and she was in full glam makeup.

Enya carried a large cardboard box with her, which she shoved so hard at me that it nearly hit me in the chest.

“Here, take this back.”

I looked at the contents of the box that were scattered all over the place.

There were bookmarks, a fountain pen for her birthday, a scarf I knitted for her… There were even piles of math notes I stayed up all night writing down and organizing for her.

She tossed her hair and flashed a dismissive smile at me. “Here’s your pile of junk. Klay is taking me to Newport, and I’m not going to keep this filthy stuff in my new house.”

I crouched low and rummaged through the contents. Surprisingly, everything was in excellent condition. Even the notes were pristine.

Then, I kicked the box aside and made no attempt to bring it into the house.

“Thanks. Is that all?”

Enya frowned.

She seemed thrown off by my reaction and soon began to scowl at me.

“Dominic, quit trying to play it cool! You’re the one who gave me all of these because you were into me!”

“Yes.” I nodded stiffly. “But now they're worthless to me as well. I don’t need them.”

She bit her lip before suddenly crying out, “Klay got me the newest designer bag and booked a seaside restaurant! Don’t even think about...”

“Is that so? I wish you two a long and fulfilling relationship.”

After cutting her off, I slammed the door shut in her face.

She hastily wedged her hand at the door frame and nearly had her nails clipped off.

“Don't you have anything to say to me?!”

When I looked at the way her eyes reddened from sheer rage, I found myself rather amused.

Haven’t I poured my heart out to her in our past life?

For all my sincerity, I never got what I hoped.

If that was the case, why bother wasting my breath?

I looked at her and calmly shook my head.

“No. Have a safe journey.”

She burst into scornful laughter before jabbing her freshly done manicure in my face.

“That’s how you want to do it? Dominic, you'll regret this!”

Bang!

After I slammed the door shut, I could hear the sound of her kicking the box.

Soon, her stomping footsteps faded into the distance. When I went upstairs to watch her walk away, I found myself somewhat perplexed.

She was the one who suggested that we part ways in this life. She was the one who wanted to go to Newport.

I have stayed out of her way the entire time. What did I do to warrant her anger?

Then, I received a notification on my phone. It was a message from my counselor at the university.

“Registration Instructions for New Students.”

I took a deep breath before putting my phone in my pocket.

Who cares?

Enya could do whatever she wanted. I’m going to live my life the way I want, and I will not have anything to do with her.