Chapter 379

Alexander Laurent never lied to himself.

After a brief period of avoidance, he chose to face his own heart.

That voice grew clearer and clearer—

You like her.

You are infatuated with her!

From initial restraint, to later acknowledgment, and finally to complete acceptance, he finally understood that emotions never obey the commands of reason.

Those suppressed desires had not disappeared.

Instead, they had grown wildly.

Each erotic dream felt like a slap to his face.

So shameful.

Yet so incredibly beautiful.

In his dreams, she was part fairy, part siren, effortlessly captivating his soul and holding it in her palm.

He was utterly powerless to resist.

Apart from complete surrender, he had no other choice.

Alexander Laurent was always decisive.

Only when it came to confessing his feelings to her did he hesitate.

Sophia Sullivan had just emerged from a failed relationship.

She was now fully immersed in her academic research.

She might not be willing to enter a new romance.

What if she refused?

How would they interact afterwards?

Pretend it never happened? Obviously impossible.

The only outcome would be a gradual drifting apart.

This was also the reason Alexander had delayed taking action.

But after their conversation was interrupted by the neighbor that night, Alexander suddenly felt he should be braver.

What if she was willing?

What if she felt the same way?

So tonight, he left the lab early.

He went home, showered, changed clothes, and waited for her downstairs.

He not only waited for her but also witnessed the blue roses sent by Sebastian Evans.

Sophia lowered her gaze and thought for a long time.

So long that they had climbed all seven flights of stairs and were now standing at their respective doors.

Alexander said, "I'm sorry, that was presumptuous of me. If you don't want to answer…"

"No," she looked up with a smile, "It's not that I don't want to answer. I just haven't figured out how to say it."

The man straightened up, his gaze focused.

She spoke slowly, "I once thought I had found true love. 'Easier to find a priceless treasure than a devoted lover.' Beautiful, isn't it?"

"My dad says when I'm stubborn, I'm like a mule that can't be pulled back. My mom calls it steadfastness. But I know it's a kind of faith. A firm choice made after consideration."

Before meeting Ethan Roscente, her faith was knowledge, academia, scientific research.

After meeting Ethan Roscente, he became her firm choice.

Even though she detested Ethan Roscente now, she had to admit they had shared happy times.

They had also treated each other sincerely, seeing each other as their one and only.

It was just a pity that circumstances change easily, and so do people's hearts.

Those six years seemed like a waste of youth.

But who's to say they didn't temper her resolve?

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Sophia continued, "In the past, I thought liking someone meant devotion regardless of cost and giving without expecting anything in return. Later, I understood—"

A smile spread in her eyes, like sunlight breaking through clouds, "To love others, you must first love yourself. If you are no longer yourself, what right do you have to love anyone else?"

"For me now, love is not a necessity. I wasted six years. Now that I've finally picked up my studies again, I don't want to disappoint my professor, nor do I want my efforts to be wasted halfway. So, the way things are now is just fine…"

Whether it was Sebastian Evans or Alexander Laurent, she was clear about the former's intentions and could sense the latter's好感.

But—

So what?

Feelings are not a pastime, nor a game.

Once you enter, it demands your whole heart.

But she still had so many projects to complete, so many experiments unfinished.

The ocean of 'Science,' the peak of 'Nature'—she had only just pushed open a crack in the door of academia.

She had barely taken her first step into the vast world of research.

So many unfinished tasks awaited her.

Where would she find the energy for romance?

After listening, Alexander's heart sank slightly.

But he also felt it was expected.

If she easily stepped into the game, then she wouldn't be Sophia Sullivan.

"I understand." He suddenly felt relieved, a slow smile spreading across his features.

Sophia also smiled. "Professor, was the roasted sweet potato sweet?"

Alexander nodded. "Sweet."

"Then I'll treat you to one next time."

"Okay."

They said goodbye at their doors and went into their respective apartments.

Sophia immediately unwrapped the blue roses and divided them into two vases.

Paired with white baby's breath, the blue and white combination was strikingly beautiful.

She placed one vase on the coffee table.

Then, carrying the other vase, she knocked on Alexander's door. "Professor, these are for you. They should look nice on the media console."

Alexander looked down.

Blue roses paired with baby's breath resembled a clear blue sky with white clouds, purely and dazzlingly beautiful.

For a moment, he didn't know whether to be stunned or to laugh.

Stunned that she actually gave half the flowers to him.

Amused by Sebastian's elaborate efforts, which she regarded as utterly ordinary.

Just like his earlier confession, which she had gently deflected with effortless grace.

He had no chance, but it seemed Sebastian wasn't receiving any special treatment either?

"Professor, why are the lights off? It's pitch black inside?" Sophia glanced past him into the completely dark living room, the curtains drawn tightly shut.

Alexander's eyes flickered. "I went straight to the bedroom after coming in, so I didn't turn on the living room light."

"I see…" Sophia didn't think much of it. "Then get some rest early. I'm heading back."

"Okay."

Alexander watched her turn and go home before closing his door.

He looked down at the flowers in his hand, smiled wryly, and walked over to the media console in the darkness.

He bent down and placed the vase.

Then, with a soft click—

He turned on the living room light.

The previously dark apartment was instantly illuminated.

The usually clean floor was now covered in rose petals.

Within the petals, candles were arranged in the shape of a heart.

He smiled self-deprecatingly.

After who knows how long, Alexander got up from the couch.

He took out a lighter and lit those candles.

Clusters of candle flames flickered to life.

He simply turned off the lights again.

The warm, hazy glow cast the entire space in a soft, amber light.

The vase on the media console, with its blue roses and baby's breath, looked even more beautiful under the candlelight, complementing each other perfectly.

Alexander felt a sense of loss, but not sadness.

She had loved Ethan Roscente once.

Now, she loved academia and research.

And in the future?

Anything was possible.

That night, Sophia had a good dream.

Alexander also gradually let his mind go blank in the warm candlelight, his thoughts drifting far away.

Only after the candles had burned out did he clean up the rose petals scattered across the floor.

Then he returned to his bedroom and slowly sank into sleep.

And in his dreams, she was there.