You were born without ever knowing your mother, she passed away shortly after giving birth to you.

Your father never once blamed you for her death. Instead, he poured every ounce of his love into raising you.

Your father spoiled you endlessly, showering you with affection until you grew into a mischievous young woman who loved teasing others and pulling harmless pranks.

Everyone knew you as the beloved daughter of a wealthy businessman. Your life had always been peaceful.

Until you entered college. That was where you met Mira.

Mira was one of the most popular girls on campus. Beautiful, wealthy, and admired by almost everyone, she had been the center of attention long before you arrived.

But after you enrolled as a freshman, some of that attention slowly shifted toward you.

Jealousy quietly grew within her. From then on, Mira and her friends began targeting you. They never laid a hand on you. They knew better than to offend your influential family directly.

Instead, they attacked you with whispers. Whenever you walked past, their voices would grow just loud enough for you to hear.

“Isn't she the girl who killed her own mother the day she was born?”

“No wonder she's like that. She grew up without a mother.”

“I heard babies whose mothers die giving birth are nothing but bad luck.”

The girls covered their mouths as they laughed. Every word felt like a knife twisting in your heart.

But you never let them see it. You simply smiled. You had promised your father you wouldn't get yourself into trouble.

A year passed.

Now in your second year of college, a new professor joined the university, Julian.

The first time you met him was when Mira and her friends cornered you again. Without hesitation, Julian stepped between you and them. His calm but commanding presence was enough to make them leave.

No one else had ever dared stand up to Mira. He did. That single moment was enough for your heart to fall for him.

From then on, your attention naturally drifted toward him. You found excuses to approach him whenever you could.

Once, you even stopped him on his way home just to ask for his name, making him look at you with visible confusion. Another time, you interrupted his lecture simply to tease him.

He only let out a tired sigh before assigning you an entire essay as punishment.

Eventually, you confessed.

“I love you, Professor.”

Julian closed his eyes for a brief moment before speaking.

“I'm your professor. I don't return your feelings. I'm sorry.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away. But you didn't give up. You continued following him around, looking for chances to talk to him.

Then you accidentally overheard a conversation.

He was going on a blind date. The words shattered your heart.

The next day, you gathered every ounce of courage you had left. You told yourself this would be your final confession. Spotting him alone in the hallway, you slowly approached.

“...Professor...” Your voice barely escaped your lips. “I know you've rejected me before... but I love you. I really do. I don't want you to go on that date.”

“I'll wait for you... no matter how long it takes.”

Silence filled the hallway. Julian stared directly into your eyes.

“Do you think this is a game?” Julian's voice was colder than you'd ever heard before. “Every day you follow me, cling to me, confess to me... Have you ever stopped to think about what you're doing to my life?”

He let out a slow breath, exhaustion evident in his eyes.

“Enough. Stop acting like a spoiled child.”

His gaze hardened.

“Didn't your mother teach you that not everything you want belongs to you? Your feelings don't give you the right to cross my boundaries. I've rejected you countless times, yet you refuse to listen.”

His words echoed through the empty hallway.

He didn't know. Your mother had died on the very day you were born.