Halsey didn’t say anything. Honestly, she didn’t even know what she could say.


    Just then, Shaun spoke up in a calm, distant voice. “Let’s go.”


    Chelsea nodded. “Okay.”


    Shaun looked at Wendy. “I’ll see you around, Dr. Crone.”


    Wendy replied, “Bye.”


    Shaun left with Chelsea, Warren, and the others.


    Halsey watched Shaun’s figure as he walked away; a dull ache rose in her chest, as if a needle had pierced her heart, and the pain just wouldn’t stop.


    Wendy looked at her with concern. “Are you alright?”


    Halsey shook her head. “I’m fine.”


    Calvin chimed in, “Didn’t you always want to study at our university? I managed to get you a spot. Do you want to go?”


    Calvin was a professor at a top university, and he had managed to get Halsey a ce in an advanced program.


    Lately, Halsey’s fashion design work hadn’t been too demanding. She wanted a change of scenery, something to help her forget the pain Shaun had caused. Going back to school actually sounded perfect.


    She smiled brightly. “Thank you for doing that. I’d love to!”


    Calvin nodded. “Great. I’lle pick you up tomorrow, and we’ll go together.”


    Halsey quickly said, “It’s okay. I’ll go on my own. You’re a professor, and it’s better if we keep some distance. I don’t want people thinking I got in through connections.”


    Calvinughed. “Alright, then. I’ll go grab my dinner.”.


    “Alright, goodbye.”


    He walked off.


    Wendy watched him go. “Halsey, it seems like Professor Johnson really likes you.”


    They were all adults, and it was obvious Calvin had feelings for Halsey. Back when the Lincoln family’s crisis happened, he had even offered her help, but she turned him down.


    “I don’t have romantic feelings for him,” Halsey said.


    “I can tell. You’re always keeping a bit of distance from him. He’s not stupid, either—he can sense it.”


    Halsey actually felt veryfortable around Calvin. He was smart, respectful, and knew how to keep boundaries.


    In the end, she said, “Let’s drop the subject and eat.”


    Wendy couldn’t help but ask, “Have you thought about what you’re going to do next? Are you really nning to have this baby on your own?”


    Halsey gently ced her hand over her belly. Just thinking about the little life growing inside her was enough to lift her spirits. It was like the pain of losing Shaun had been filled by this new hope.


    “I don’t n to get married. I’m just going to raise this baby by myself. And honestly, I think that’s more than enough.”


    Wendy fully supported her. “That’s okay. I’ll be the baby’s godmother, and Be will be the sister.”


    Halsey nodded. “Exactly! Come on. Let’s eat.”


    “Okay.”


    Halsey and Wendy headed to a private dining room and started eating. Partway through, Halsey excused herself to the restroom.


    She stood at the sink and sshed cold water on her face. Just then, the door creaked open, and someone walked in.


    Halsey looked up and saw a familiar reflection in the mirror-it was Chelsea.


    Chelsea walked over and stood beside her at the sink, and started to wash her hands. “What a surprise. I came to wash up and ran into you.”


    Halsey gave a slight smirk.


    “There’s no one else here, so you can drop the act. You probably saw mee in and followed me, didn’t you? Trying to rub your sess in my face now that I’ve failed?”


    She wasn’t the least bit surprised Chelsea had shown up. She had long expected that thetter woulde to find her in private eventually.