Chapter 85

Lemira couldn't believe the warm welcome. In her past life, after exams, Lucian and Alaric had also attended, but she'd been overshadowed. She never expected a ceremony prepared just for her. To say she wasn't moved would be a lie.

Orion leaned against the car door, tall and slender. He looked up, his features handsome yet refined, his usual laziness replaced by seriousness. Lemira bit her lip and walked towards him.

Orion's gaze was warm. "Congratulations, it's finally over."

Thaddeus energetically waved a banner. "Sweet Lemmon, this is the surprise I prepared for you! Do you like it?"

Lemira smiled shyly. "Thank you, it's a bit much, though."

"Better too much than too little," Thaddeus retorted, "unlike someone with no good intentions, thinking a simple bouquet suffices." He knew how to throw shade. Lemira looked up to see Lucian crossing the street, flowers in hand. In her past life, Lucian had also bought flowers—for Evelina.

Lucian, hopeful, approached. "Lemmy, I wanted to park here, but all the spots were taken. Had to leave it across the street." He hadn't expected this group to hog all the parking spaces!

Thaddeus clicked his tongue. "If you were really committed, you'd have come early like us, not just wing it at the last minute. Shows no effort at all. Right, Orion?"

Orion spoke indifferently. "Some people think even apologizing is beneath them, so of course they wouldn't understand."

Lucian struggled to maintain composure. Then Evelina ran out. "Lucian, you made it! What a pretty bouquet!" She ran straight to him.

Lucian's expression turned awkward; he only had one bouquet. He coughed lightly, sidestepping Evelina to approach Lemira. "Lemmy, wishing you success on your exams in advance!"

Lemira glanced at the flowers. "Thanks, but you should give them to Evelina. Wouldn't want people thinking you're playing favorites, leaving your foster sister without a bouquet."

Lucian found the words familiar. He hurriedly said, "I bought these flowers specially for you. I'll get Evelina hers later!"

"That won't do. Evelina has been too kind to me; her father saved my life! How could you be so biased, Lucian? If there's only one bouquet, it definitely should go to Evelina!" Lemira spoke calmly yet firmly.

Lucian froze, recognizing the words. He seemed to have said those lines before. Every time there wasn't enough to go around, Lemira had stepped back. As he reflected, his heart ached. He had been wrong.

He struggled to speak. "Lemmy, I—"

"The past is the past; we need to look forward," Lemira said breezily. "I've got a class gathering tonight; gotta run."

She turned to Orion. "Mind giving me a lift?"

Orion's gaze met hers, silently opening the car door. A row of flashy red sports cars sped away.

Lucian watched Lemira get into the car, wanting to stop her, but his feet felt rooted to the ground. He couldn't move, weighed down by her words, stabbing into his heart like knives.

Evelina watched the cars with unconcealed envy. "Just a school doctor, and he has all this money? Lemira sure had a way of getting the doctor to rent cars just to show off." Resentful, she said, "Lucian, don't be mad. Lemmy will understand your intentions. She'll cool off."

"You don't get it!" For the first time, Lucian truly felt Lemira would never forgive him.