Too Late to Beg: I’m No Longer Yours Chapter 03

Too Late to Beg: I’m No Longer Yours Chapter 03

My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing.

I had left their chat, but they just dragged me into a new one.

The group name was [Nova Support Squad].

Hayes sent a voice memo.

“Nobody provoke her.”

“I know her temper. Give her a night alone and she’ll get over it.”

“I booked her a five-star hotel. When we get back, I’ll take her to rent a massive penthouse.”

Brie chimed in.

“Don’t worry, I just texted her.”

“If she throws a fit, I’ll just tell everyone she bullies people with anxiety.”

Cole sent a crying-laughing emoji.

“Nova is just stubborn. She seriously needs therapy.”

“Every time she threatens to cut me off, she still wires my allowance in the end.”

Half a minute passed before Delaney sent her message.

[Don’t talk about Nova like that. I actually feel pretty bad for her.]

Hayes replied instantly.

[You’re just too sweet.]

I stared at the screen. The veins on the back of my hand bulged.

Every single one of them knew I would be devastated.

But they all had their excuses ready.

It was as if Delaney had just noticed I was in the chat.

[Oh no, Nova is here. You guys, stop talking.]

[Nova, please don’t be mad. I’ll bring you a souvenir from Hawaii.]

Cole replied.

[Yeah. Laney is constantly thinking about you.]

Brie added.

[Laney is gorgeous inside and out. You should see the bikinis she packed. Absolutely stunning. Get ready to have your mind blown.]

The messages kept rolling in.

The topic swiftly shifted from me to Delaney, and then to their trip.

I turned off my phone and finished packing.

At one in the morning, I rolled my suitcase out the door.

The airport terminal was brightly lit.

Right before boarding, Hayes finally called me from a different number.

His voice slurred slightly with alcohol.

“Nova, you left the chat again?”

“We just went on a trip. Do you really have to be this dramatic?”

I stared out the glass window at the runway.

“Hayes. We’re done.”

Dead silence for two seconds.

Then, a scoff.

“Over a birthday prank?”

“Nova, aren’t you taking yourself a little too seriously?”

I didn’t argue.

“I already notified the landlord. You’re not getting that deposit.”

“The loan for your startup. I want it back in three days.”

“As for the forty grand Brie owes me, my lawyer will be in touch.”

Hayes finally stopped laughing.

“Where are you?”

The intercom crackled to life.

“Passengers heading to Toronto, please proceed to boarding.”

His tone drastically shifted.

“Nova, you’re leaving the country?”

I hung up, turned off my phone, and boarded the plane.

As the plane pierced through the clouds, I stared out at the pitch-black night.

Only one thought echoed in my mind.

This time, I wasn’t waiting for them to come back.

I was going to make them wait for my payback.

Snow was falling when I landed at Toronto Pearson Airport.

Professor Callahan came to pick me up personally.

He frowned slightly when he saw my single suitcase.

“Why the rush?”

I handed him my admission papers.

“Things came up back home. Decided to start early.”

He didn’t pry. Just patted my shoulder.

“Let’s get you settled first.”

Leaving wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Six months ago, the university had sent me an invitation for a two-year academic exchange program with a full scholarship.

I had hesitated for a long time. I spent an entire night staring at that acceptance email.

I was planning to tell Hayes after my birthday.

I had even thought about declining the offer if he didn’t want me to go.

Looking back now, thank God I wasn’t that stupid.

Once I settled into my dorm, I headed straight to the lab.

Staying busy made time fly.

Running data during the day. Compiling evidence at night.

This brand-new life brought me an unexpected sense of peace.