Chapter 16

The figure in the distance was Keith. The moment he saw Iris, she became the only thing in his world. He couldn't stop himself from walking toward her. But then, she took a step back, and Keith's face paled. The young girl who once relied on him entirely, who used to light up with joy at the mere sight of him, had just instinctively retreated. It was a defense mechanism used against an enemy. A sharp pain shot through Keith's chest, leaving him breathless. The bitterness on his face deepened as he wondered if she really hated him this much now. Keith swallowed the ache rising in his throat and stepped forward again, but Iris backed away again. The rejection cut deep. "Iris—" Before he could say anything else, she cut him off coldly. "Keith, this is a school. Be mindful of your behavior." His eyes flickered with shock. He wondered why it sounded so familiar to him. Then it hit him. The day Iris got into Bellevue University, she had run to him, thrilled to share the news. At t