Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at Theodore. When she fell, she thought she might actually die. However, she didn’t.

Theodore hit the call button, and doctors and nurses rushed in. He stepped back to let them check on her.

Vanessa watched him the whole time. After the fall, she realized she loved Theodore more than ever. She couldn’t live without him. Once the doctors finished, they asked if she felt dizzy or nauseous and told her to rest.

The attending physician spoke to Theodore about Vanessa’s condition and gave him some instructions before leaving.

Theodore walked to her bedside. “How are you feeling now?”

The breathing mask had left deep marks on Vanessa’s cheeks.

She stared at him, her voice hoarse. “Theodore, do you know what I was thinking when I fell?”

Theodore frowned slightly.

Vanessa closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks. “If I died, would you remember me? Would you cry for me?” “Don’t overthink it,” Theodore said flatly.

Vanessa smiled, but it looked worse than crying. “If I died, maybe only then would my heart stop loving you.” Theodore pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

Vanessa’s intense love almost burned him, but he thought, ‘If Phoebe loved me this much, I’d die for her.’

They were the same. Both loved humbly.

Theodore reminded her, “Take care of yourself. As long as you’re alive, there are endless possibilities.” Vanessa sobbed. Theodore’s avoidance broke her heart. She tried to grasp his hand.

Her hand dropped limply, only to be caught by Theodore, whose hand felt colder than hers.

She looked at him sorrowfully. “Theodore, if you didn’t love someone else, could you love me?”

Theodore looked at her in silence. After a long while, he finally said, “I’m sorry, Vanessa. I already love someone else.”

Hearing that, Vanessa started coughing violently, tears and snot everywhere, losing her usual grace.

She wanted to scream but only whimpered like a wounded animal.

Vanessa thought, ‘I’ve given so much. Why doesn’t Theodore love me?’

Theodore helped her sit up, and Vanessa suddenly hugged him.

Theodore stiffened but didn’t push her away. He gently patted her back. “Vanessa, don’t cry. You don’t look pretty when you cry.”

Phoebe stood at the door, watching them embrace. Her heart ached as Vanessa flashed her a victorious smile.

Phoebe felt a bitter taste in her mouth. She no longer cared if Vanessa fell on her own or if it was David’s fault.

She turned and left.

Vanessa saw Phoebe disappear from the doorway. She wiped the smug look off her face and replaced it with a sorrowful expression.

She thought firmly, ‘If I can’t have him, Phoebe won’t either!’

After getting Vanessa to sleep, Theodore stood by her bedside for a while. Just as he was about to leave, he felt a tug on his clothes.

He looked down and saw Vanessa clutching his shirt. He sighed and gently freed himself.

He tucked her hand back under the blanket and left without a second thought.

Years ago, he realized he didn’t love Vanessa. It was Christopher who made him see it.

One day, he returned to his alma mater for some business. Walking through an alley, he saw a couple kissing passionately.

Feeling awkward, he was about to leave when he recognized Christopher.

He stepped forward, grabbed Christopher by the collar, apologized to the blushing girl, and dragged him away.

Christopher was furious. “Theodore, why’d you ruin my moment? That was my girlfriend.”

Theodore retorted, “Girlfriend? You have college entrance exams this year. Kissing a girl while you’re still a minor, do you want to get beaten up?” Christopher snapped, “We’re both willing! Theodore, why are you so old-fashioned? Don’t tell me you’ve never kissed Vanessa?”

Theodore was stunned.

Seeing his reaction, Christopher’s eyes widened. “No way. Are you saving your first kiss for your wedding night?”

Theodore was speechless.

He hadn’t planned to save his first kiss, but despite dating Vanessa for so long, he never thought about kissing her. He didn’t even feel the urge.

Christopher laughed. “Theodore, you can’t be asexual, right? You don’t look like it.”

‘I don’t look like it!’ Theodore thought.

But why didn’t he have any desire for Vanessa? He never wanted to kiss, hold hands, or hug her.

‘Could I be asexual?’ Theodore wondered. Later, he went on a date with Vanessa to see a romance film.

The theater was nearly empty, with just a few couples in the back rows. They sat in the middle.

Halfway through, the leads kissed, and the couple in front of them started kissing, too.

The atmosphere got intimate. He glanced at Vanessa, who looked shy and leaned toward him.

He stared at her lips, the screen’s light flickering. He leaned in, but just before touching her lips, he stood up.

“Sorry, I need to use the restroom,” he said abruptly.

His sudden move startled the couples around them. He blushed and quickly left the theater.

Vanessa was upset for a long time. He didn’t feel hurt or try to make up with her.

Back then, Theodore thought he was just sexually indifferent. It wasn’t until he met Phoebe that he realized she awakened his deepest desires. Theodore then understood he wasn’t indifferent; he just didn’t like Vanessa that much.

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