Chapter 1

When I got out of prison, Julian grabbed my hand and said, “Evie, I never married anyone else!”

I pulled my hand away and said, “Mr. Thorne, weren’t you the one who testified and sent me to prison?”

Ten years ago, a female student sponsored by Julian stole my design and won a major prize.

They even named my work after their three-year-old child.

Julian and I were caught on camera.

The headline, 'Evie Reed Released from Prison, Harassing Julian Thorne,' immediately shot to the top of trending topics on Ins.

The photo showed Julian's back, making it seem like I was blocking his path.

Netizens who had been following my release exploded with outrage.

"Seriously, no shame! First thing she does after jail is cling to Mr. Thorne!"

"Terrifying, how did they let this psycho out? @Blair Jensen, protect yourself and your child!"

"Heard she only attacked because her marriage proposal was rejected!"

"Scientists gone wild are even scarier, total psychopath!"

Everyone started tagging Blair Jensen.

So, she posted a selfie from her lab with a caption.

"Don't worry, everyone, I'm safe and will protect the people who matter most to me."

This carefully orchestrated interaction earned her another wave of public sympathy.

I closed Ins, and the next second, my phone rang.

No contact name, but that number was etched into my memory.

I hung up without a second thought.

Once, twice...

I dragged the number straight to my blacklist.

Then, a text message popped up.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it would be like this. I'll handle the media."

I blacklisted that number too, without hesitation.

Just as I put my phone down, it rang again.

I didn't check the caller ID. I picked up, ready to unleash a stream of curses, when a familiar voice spoke.

"Evie, darling, the best way to clear your name is to live your life well. I don't want you affected by all that filth online."

"Our old high school has an intelligent robot model competition coming up, and they need a high-caliber mentor. Are you up for it?"

A warmth spread through my eyes instantly.

He was my high school teacher, and the one who first ignited my passion for physics.

Tears in my eyes, I nodded.

"Mr. Henderson, I'll be there. Thank you so much."

His voice on the phone choked up slightly.

"Oh, my dear, I knew you'd rise again."

After hanging up, my heart refused to settle for a long time.

Indeed, my life had nothing to do with Julian anymore.

Following Mr. Henderson's instructions, I arrived at the lab right on time.

Only to find two students arguing. I paused at the doorway, wanting to hear their side of things.

"My thermal dynamic coupling model is absolutely fine, my mom told me so! My mom is Blair Jensen, a celebrated researcher with award-winning theories! Who are you to question her?!"

Alex glared, eyes blazing red, at the smaller boy.

"I'm not saying the theory is wrong, but this value is too high, it'll burn out the circuit..."

"Bullshit!"

Alex suddenly grabbed some materials off the table, ready to hurl them at the other boy.

I rushed forward to stop him but accidentally pushed him, sending him sprawling.

He froze for two seconds.

"Who are you? Why did you push me? I'm calling the cops!"

I stared coldly at the boy who looked so much like Julian, yet in his very core, mirrored Blair Jensen.

"You're Alex? Your mom is Blair Jensen, so all her theories are automatically correct?"

"Did your mom ever tell you that she stole someone else's work?"

Facing the name that had stained my entire life...

I couldn't hold back.

The words were out before I could regret them.

But it was too late. The incident escalated, and soon the police were involved.

That very night, I was trending again.

Everyone said I couldn't get over Julian, and was now taking revenge on his son.

My temporary address was dug up and publicized.

My door was plastered with hateful graffiti and curses.

There was even a package left, covered in paint and containing razor blades.

My landlord told me to leave immediately.

As I carried my clothes, which had been tossed on the ground, downstairs, I ran into Julian.

"I'm so sorry..."

He nervously rubbed the edge of his coat pocket, a picture of helplessness.

His head slightly bowed, he stole glances at my face.

For a moment, he reminded me of Julian in high school.

I closed my eyes, trying to banish those images.

"Mr. Thorne, I don't want to see you ever again. I just want a peaceful life. Please, just disappear."

His eyes reddened, his gaze clouded with unspoken emotions.

"Evie, I just wanted to apologize. It's okay if you can't forgive me. We're still old friends, and I can actually help—"

"You want to help me? Just stay far away from me."

I met his gaze head-on.

"Julian, if I had known that meeting you would bring such utter disaster into my life, I would have never—"

He frantically cut me off.

"Evie! Don't say it... Please, I'll go."

I'd forgotten about that past, a past that could never be reclaimed.

It held not only my scars, but his too.

Even after all these years.

We still knew exactly how to twist the knife, how to hit each other where it hurt the most.