The cafeteria at noon was like a battlefield, with students hurrying to line up for their meals before their favorite dishes sold out. A student had just finished speaking to Purple Summers and rushed off, joining the queue.
Purple didnât even have time to ask who was looking for her.
Upon reflection, she considered it possible that Atra Blanc had been wary of the enthusiastic language teacher, hence didnât dare to come find her in class.
Purple absentmindedly ate a few bites of rice, greeted Zara Jameson and Jane McCain, and then headed for the school entrance.
Unexpectedly, the person who came looking for her was not Atra Blanc but Nathaniel Summers.
Purpleâs brow furrowed instinctively, her eyes filling with wariness immediately. She had a hunch that Nathanielâs arrival spelled trouble; was he here to scold her again?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âIs there something you need?â Purple eyed him warily, stopping at a moderate distance.
Nathaniel tossed away his cigarette and opened the passenger seat door, saying, âLetâs talk in the car, there are too many people around here.â
Purple didnât budge.
Who knew if Nathaniel would lose his temper like the last time and drive her all the way to the riverbank? She had classes in the afternoon and couldnât afford any delays.
âI have a train at 2 PM,â Nathaniel said.
His words implied he was leaving soon and wouldnât trouble Purple any further.
Purple was taken aback, pausing for a moment before noticing that Nathanielâs attire was indeed different from usual.
Typically dressed in a suit, the image of a polished business elite, he was now in tracksuit trousers and a hoodie, clearly dressed for comfortable travel.
Nathaniel stood quietly by the passenger door, waiting for her.
Seeing his calm expression, not looking like he was about to lose his temper, Purple hesitated a bit before finally getting into the car.
Nathaniel took his place in the driverâs seat.
Purple saw the backpack on the rear seat and was even more surprised. Nathaniel was really leaving, and judging by his appearance, it was definitely not for a business trip. He looked more like a backpacker ready to travel alone.
This was so out of character for Nathaniel.
âLast time you asked me about Jade Carlson, I lost my temper at you; that was wrong of me,â Nathaniel began dispassionately. âYou didnât come home all night, and in the morning, you returned with Alexander Summers. It upset me, so Iâve been on edge these past few days.â
Purple was at a loss for words. How had it become her fault?
âYou donât need to think about Jade Carlson anymore,â Nathaniel continued. âThat night, the call was made because I pressured her to. I threatened her, wanting her to confess to switching the medication. After that⦠perhaps due to a guilty conscience for her actions, she didnât want a confrontation with you, so she ran away, not expecting to run into her debt collectors and have an accident.â
Nathaniel glanced at her, adding, âSheâs been using drugs for a while, so her having an accident isnât strange. You donât need to dwell on it. The medication was switched by her, out of jealousy or something elseâwho can really say?â
A sense of relief washed over Purple.
Whether it was Nathanielâs tone or his explanation of the whole matter, it all made her feel a brief respite.
Clarifying things undoubtedly benefited them both.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the treetops, casting mottled, fragmented shadows inside the car, warm and comforting. Occasionally, students passed by, their laughter carrying over, unaware of the people in the car.
âThank you,â Purple let out a soft breath, grateful that Nathaniel could speak to her calmly about these matters instead of harboring resentment and engaging in endless disputes.
Thereâs a saying, âOne day as a couple, a hundred days of grace.â No matter what had transpired, Purple hoped to part with Nathaniel on good terms.
The atmosphere lightened, and both of them remained calm.
âI will be taking a long trip and am not sure when Iâll return,â Nathaniel spoke. â⦠During my absence, I hope you can reconsider our relationship. After all, we have never divorced, and I hope you can respect this marriage.â
Purple was stunned, her previously relaxed nerves tensing once again.
âAre you serious?â she stared at Nathaniel, incredulous. âYou⦠knowing well that Iâm already with him, you still want to continue this marriage?â