After lingering in the bathroom for a long time, washing my face with cold water several times, the heat finally subsided. When I came out, Chase was leaning against the hallway wall. His sharp features and even the dark hair falling across his forehead exuded a rebellious charm. The weather was too hot, so he wore just a plain white T-shirt that hinted at his well-defined chest beneath. A simple silver chain hung around his neck. Seeing me emerge, he naturally pulled a tissue from his pocket and carefully dried my still-dripping hands.

“Where is everyone?”

The private room was suspiciously quiet. Chase lowered his gaze to my hands. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly; his voice, tinged with huskiness:

“It’s getting late. I sent them home.”

“Let’s go too.”

“I’ve already paid.”

I made a sound of agreement.

“Why did they leave so suddenly?”

He looked up at me.

“Because someone was embarrassed.”

After saying this, he straightened up and raised an eyebrow.

Seven Years of Obsession: Now I Don’t Even Remember Your Name Chapter 7

“Miss Smith, am I that shameful to be seen with?”

“Don’t I deserve some official recognition?”

His eyes flashed with genuine hurt.

I knew it. The real difficult phase had begun. I tugged at the edge of his shirt. But he remained unmoved. I glanced around to confirm no one was nearby. Then I stood on tiptoe and kissed the corner of his mouth. The corner of his lips curved up uncontrollably.

“I want our relationship to be public.”

I could only post a photo of us together on Facebook. My phone started vibrating frantically with notifications.

Chase, satisfied:

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you home.”

Ethan learned that Lily had been accepted to Harvard from his mother. He remembered when seventeen-year-old Lily would study until late at night, her weight dropping. Unable to watch her deteriorate, he had demanded she rest by 10 PM. Lily’s eyes had sparkled as she told him her dream was to attend an Ivy League school. At the time, he had casually replied:

“Sure, when you get in, I’ll throw you a celebration.”

He knew that even without his encouragement, Lily would excitedly tell him first when she got into her dream school. But now, he was hearing about it from his mother. Ethan belatedly realized that since Lily transferred to Lincoln High, she had never initiated contact with him. Even when he actively asked if she was being bullied. If she had just choked up and said yes, he would have immediately brought her back. He had grown accustomed to Lily always following behind him. But that day, Lily had blocked him. She no longer depended on him, and it seemed she no longer needed him either. Thinking of this, Ethan felt anxious. He still couldn’t help wanting to find Lily. After she blocked him, he had stubbornly decided to teach her a lesson by not seeking her out. Later, he couldn’t resist anymore. He gave Lily an easy way to reconcile. He called to ask her to come back. But a strange man’s voice had answered. So intimate. Yet he knew Lily was modest and conservative. She wouldn’t fall for someone from Lincoln High. Vanessa also said Lily was just trying to make him jealous.

Seven Years of Obsession: Now I Don’t Even Remember Your Name Chapter 7

But now, with SAT over, Lily seemed to have completely disappeared from his life. He walked to Lily’s house. Her room light was still on. Ethan breathed a sigh of relief and knocked on the door. Someone came to answer. He carefully controlled his expression:

“Mrs. Smith, I’m looking for Lily-”

Before he could finish, he stopped. An unfamiliar middle-aged couple in pajamas stood before him.

“Who are you? Why are you in Lily’s house?”

The couple frowned at him:

“Who’s Lily? This is our house.”