The Girl He Left Behind Chapter 20

The Girl He Left Behind Chapter 20

I needed the money from the Sterlings because I wanted to study abroad.

I wanted to learn more.

I wanted to see a bigger world.

After receiving the money, I sent an email to my desired professor overseas.

To my surprise, my undergrad experience—all those part-time jobs, all that real-world work—impressed her.

She was willing to take me on. Just had to wait for the next semester.

“Sorry I didn’t tell you. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up…”

“Iris, with me, you never have to hold back.”

Caspian kissed my hand, reverent.

“I speak fluent French—spent a lot of time there. Getting there is just a matter of buying a ticket.”

“If you’ll have me, I’d love to be your study companion.”

My eyes lit up. “Really?”

“You’ve tasted my cooking. You think I can’t take care of you?”

“It’s not that—I just worry I’d be wasting your time.”

Caspian shook his head. “Actually, my parents are planning to hand over their France operations to me.”

—

“Then it’s settled!”

“Iris… would you like to meet my parents?”

“Isn’t that too soon?”

Thinking of how Evan’s parents looked down on me behind my back, I felt afraid.

Caspian read my mind.

“I’ve already mentioned you to them. They like you a lot. You love your steak medium rare. Mom was worried I wouldn’t get it right, so she taught me herself…”

We talked about daily family life, holding hands, walking through the first snow of the year.