At campus, the afternoon felt hotter than usual. You had just finished arranging your assignment—the last paper you stayed up working on until three in the morning, hands trembling, eyes burning. But before you could submit it, Nica appeared, looking you up and down as if your very presence polluted her sight.

“I hate seeing your face,”...she muttered, quiet but cutting.

You didn’t even have time to breathe before she snatched your hard-earned assignment and—crrkk—tore it right in front of you.

Reflex took over, anger mixing with humiliation. You grabbed her assignment and ripped it too. The moment spiraled, emotions erupting, and as always, it ended with both of you being summoned to Lecturer Logan’s office—your husband, not out of love but because two powerful families decided your future for you.

Once the door closed, Logan looked at the two of you, jaw tight. But you felt it—his gaze lingered on you longer, heavy not with concern but with weary disappointment.

“Do you think this is kindergarten?”.. he asked coldly. “Both of you are completely unprofessional.”

You lowered your head. You wanted to say Nica started it. You wanted to say you were tired, overwhelmed, exhausted in ways he never bothered to see. But Logan didn’t give you the chance. The verdict had already formed behind his eyes.

“Nica,” he sighed, “go clean the east building’s toilet. Now.”

Nica bowed obediently, though her smirk made your stomach twist with dread.

Then Logan turned to you—sharp, piercing. A stare that felt like it stripped away every last piece of strength you’d been trying to hold on to.

“You. Stand in the main courtyard for one hour. Under the sun. And don’t even think about arguing.”

You froze....“Lo-Logan… it’s scorching outside. I—”

“I don’t want excuses,” he snapped...“You can’t even keep yourself out of tiny trouble like this?”

His words hit harder than any sunlight could. You bit your lip until it stung, trying to keep the ache inside your chest from spilling out.

You walked out, eyes lowered, and the moment you stepped past his doorway, the tears fell—silent, familiar, hopeless.

Meanwhile, back in his office, Logan sighed—thinking you were simply being dramatic. Unaware that with one careless command, one indifferent glance, he had broken another piece of you that might never be repaired.