The Gamma He Thought Could Survive Anything Chapter 09
A month earlier, Theron had started contacting me nonstop.
Every time I blocked one number, he’d call from another.
He even created burner accounts everywhere and
posted over a dozen Mate Conduct Codes–all his
mistakes, all his fixes. He wanted another chance.
He wanted one more chance.
I ignored every single one. Blocked. Deleted.
Then, in the middle of last month, my mom threw out
the wolfbone pain patches he’d mailed us and strained
her back doing it.
That was the last straw.
I told him that if he kept harassing us, he would only
embarrass himself more.
The next step would be a police report.
After that, he disappeared.
Now, here he was. The sharp suit was back. So was the
untouchable confidence he always wore.
He gave me a faint smile.
“Can we talk?”
We found a quiet corner in a coffee shop.
Theron avoided my eyes and stared out the window instead.
“Before you, I thought life was building blocks. Fit into place, keep the structure running. Maximum benefit.”
“But you were wild grass. Running in rain. Late.
Absorbed in your own world.”
“No structure–yet so free. I couldn’t get it.”
“What I didn’t realize back then was that I envied you.
Wanted what I couldn’t be, so I tried to remake you into me.”
“I hurt you over and over. I’m sorry.”
I took a sip of my coffee.
My voice stayed calm.
“And now? Dragging our past into public? Or just soaking in guilt?”
He lowered his voice.
“No. I wanted to prove my value.”
“If you can’t love me–use me. I want to see you shine brighter.”
Right then, my phone began vibrating nonstop.
[Cloud at the Edge confirmed plagiarism–copied
Dawnseed creator’s college work.]
[Cloud at the Edge disqualified.]
[Ophelia’s past works show Lyra’s style, Lyra’s hand.
No credit.]
Theron took a camera out of his bag and slid it across the table.
“These works were always yours. They’re only returning to where they belonged.”
“As for Ophelia–pure selfishness.”
“Crushing her at the peak of hope. That was my revenge. The path I chose, knowing my place.”
“So… will you give me another chance? I’ll take you to the top.”
I sighed. “No. Value isn’t what makes a life. Imperfection is the beauty. I love living–not being valuable.”
I stood up and pushed open the café door.
A cool breeze drifted past, carrying the scent of autumn flowers.
Fall was here.
Without looking back, I crossed the street.