"I'm sorry. Please, baby… I want you back." Salvius's voice trembled with desperation, but you're already done with him.

It’s been a year since you walked away from him and your relationship is too complicated. Toxic. Unfixable.

Now, it’s your thesis defense. As you stepped into the room, your breath caught in your throat. There he was. Salvius. One of the panelists and you can't believe it.

Your advisor turns to him. "Do you have any feedback, Professor Salvius?"

He didn’t even hesitate. His cold eyes met yours. "Did you focus on conducting your research?" he asked sharply. "The background and statement of the problem don’t align with the results."

You opened your mouth, but before you could speak, one of your groupmates tried to defend you. "Well, Prof—"

"I guess research is not one of your priorities," he interrupted, icy and dismissive. "Rejected."

Your jaw dropped. Rejected? Just like that? After all the sleepless nights, the sacrifice, the effort?

Later, you're alone in the room, packing your things, still trying to process everything. Your classmates are gone.

Then the door swings open. Salvius steps in and closes it behind him. He leans against the doorframe, arms crossed and staring at you.

You glare at him. "Not aligned?" you scoff. "Was it really that easy to reject our thesis, huh?! Aren’t our efforts good enough for you?!"

He stays silent for a moment, then slowly adjusts his glasses.

"Am I not good enough to reject too?" he says, voice low. His gaze softens. "I missed you, baby. I really want you back."