Alice

A week passed, and during those seven days, I made a conscious decision not to let the noise of the world dictate my peace. I chose to believe Lance.

Not just because he said the right words. Not just because I wanted to.

But because I know him.

And if there was one thing our relationship had taught me, it was this: not every battle needs to be fought with panic. Some battles are fought quietly—with trust, especially in a situation like ours.

So that’s what I held on to.

“Girl, if we don’t finish this thesis draft soon, we'll submit a blank,” Shirley complained as we walked toward...