A Butterfly Through the Mist - Chapter 19

Only then did everything make sense.

She had wondered why he was staring at the sheet for so long. He must have been afraid she would ask him to take responsibility as well. The thought of both of them worrying about the same thing and being so wary of each other made her chuckle.

Of course, I didn’t choose Ilex Davenport for no reason.’

With a bright face, Tilia uncorked the bottle. She couldn’t help but praise her past self for making the right choice.

For a moment, she wondered if it was really the right medicine, but that doubt soon disappeared.

After all, the man she had been with was none other than Ilex Davenport, the second son of the prestigious Davenport family, who wanted nothing to do with anyone.

Now that she thought about it, even telling her to wash up before they started was probably because he was concerned for his own safety. He wouldn’t want to mix with someone dirty, right?

Considering the countless rumors, the fact that there was never any gossip about him afterward made him trustworthy in this matter, at least. When she recalled the troubled expression on his face as he looked at the sheets, Tilia became even more certain.

He must have been terrified that I might come after him, claiming I had his child.

Convinced that what he had given her was birth control, Tilia swallowed the medicine without a hint of doubt. Then, with a relieved face, she placed the bottle back on the bedside table and stretched her back.

“I don’t need to thank you, right?”

After all, this medicine was for both of them.

Now fully dressed in her school uniform, Tilia looked at the woman in the mirror on the bedside table. The woman who had been breathlessly moaning, disheveled just a few hours earlier, was no longer there. All that remained was the image of Tilia Ambrose, full of thoughts about moving forward.

“I doubt it needs to be said, but I’ll say it just once.”

She dusted off her skirt and then turned around.

Ilex Davenport was still standing in the same spot, as if frozen after handing her the medicine bottle.

Tilia made eye contact with him and spoke in a calm, composed voice, “I don’t want anyone to know about this.”

His eyes, which had been watching her quietly, were still as deep as an abyss. But no matter how deep they were or what emotions were hidden within them, they no longer mattered to Tilia.

“You wouldn’t want to be tied to me either, would you?”

After all, she had already obtained what she wanted.

Tilia smiled softly, raising the corners of her mouth.

Of course, she was grateful. He had been a good player, and he had played his role well. But that was it. There were no further feelings.

She had used him, yes, but she believed it had been a fair exchange. He had certainly enjoyed her body to its fullest.

‘And honestly, if he has any conscience, he shouldn’t act like he’s been wronged.’

Especially after he enjoyed every moment of it.

As she turned around with a light heart, thinking that her body must have been quite to his liking, Tilia’s mind was now entirely focused on the exam.

‘I just have to make sure I don’t fail. Wait, what was the last thing I reviewed again?’

Just as she was about to leave the room, her academic thoughts filling her mind, something made her turn around.

Still standing in the room like a statue was Ilex. Tilia tilted her head curiously.

“Aren’t you going to graduate? Hurry up and get dressed.”

She gave him one last glance as if she had seen the strangest person in the world, then turned her back completely.

That was the end of it.

Having completed her task, Tilia left the room without a trace of regret.

Thud. The door closed, and silence filled the room.

Even after she left, Ilex remained silent for a long time, standing in place.

The clock had already passed three.

By this time, she would be taking the exam in the main building.

“Ha.”

A burst of laughter escaped Ilex’s lips.

What started as a chuckle quickly grew into full-blown laughter, shaking his strong shoulders.

Covering his eyes with his large, bony hand, Ilex’s body trembled uncontrollably as he laughed.

His laughter filled the disheveled room, echoing, fading, and growing louder again.

And finally, when the noise subsided, Ilex slowly lowered his dry hand.

“…I see.”

His pale gray eyes had completely changed.

“So that’s how you’re going to play it.”

His eyes gleamed coldly, as sharp as a freshly honed blade.

***

Done!

As the teaching assistant collected the exam papers, Tilia stretched, loosening her stiff shoulders.

The exam was fairly easy.

There had been rumors that the retake exam would be impossibly difficult, but it seemed those rumors were unfounded.

She hadn’t double-checked her answers, so she couldn’t be completely sure, but at the very least, she was confident she hadn’t failed.

‘Thank goodness. I’ll be able to graduate.’

Tilia let out a sigh of relief and stared blankly at the blackboard.

Something on the dry-erase board caught her attention.

Absentees: 1

The number one, written in neat handwriting, stood out against the green board.

Tilia slowly turned her head and scanned the classroom.

Among the tired faces, the person she was looking for was nowhere to be found.

‘Didn’t come, huh?’

Lowering her head, deep in thought, Tilia wondered why.

His physical condition didn’t seem bad.

Was it that he didn’t want to graduate? Or…

“Tilia!”

But before she could finish her thoughts, Judy, looking furious, rushed over to her.

“Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I was? How could you not show up right before the exam?”

Ugh.

Tilia couldn’t continue her thoughts as her friend grabbed her and shook her shoulders.

Well, maybe he just didn’t want to come. He had skipped before.

Deciding not to think too much about his absence, Tilia quickly erased Ilex Davenport from her mind.

“Do you know how many times I went back and forth to the restroom? I was so worried you wouldn’t make it to the exam…!”

For now, her priority was calming her roommate, who was on the verge of tears.

***

“You were sick?”

“Yeah. I was lying down in the infirmary, so I was late.”

Tilia tried to avoid Judy’s worried gaze as she continued, “But luckily, the medicine worked, and I’m fine now. I don’t feel any pain.”

“What was so painful? You were fine this morning.”

“Hmm, I think I just drank some water too quickly, and it didn’t sit well.”

Tilia quickly made up an excuse and forced a natural smile.

“Isn’t it lucky, though? I recovered just in time for the exam.”

“Yeah, that’s lucky… But you must have been really nervous, to the point where even water made you feel sick. I’ve heard that when you’re extremely nervous, even something as harmless as water can upset your stomach.”

Judy believed her story without question, and her shoulders drooped like a dejected puppy.

“And there I was, pacing around the restroom, wondering why you weren’t coming out. So that’s why you weren’t there.”

Tilia couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt as she imagined her friend anxiously waiting for her. She averted her gaze to the floor.

“Still, it’s a relief that you made it to the exam. Actually, maybe it was better that you were in the infirmary.”

Judy, who had been making Tilia feel guilty with her concerned expression, suddenly clapped her hands and looked at her with a brighter face.

“Gregory Myers was hanging around the girls’ restroom the whole time you were gone. When I got worried and peeked in to see if you were there, he smirked at me and asked if you were inside.”

“…Gregory?”

“Yeah. When I said you weren’t there, he swore and stormed off.”

Judy’s face twisted in disgust at the memory.

“He was definitely waiting to pick a fight with you. That jerk.”

“…Yeah, he probably was.”

As the source of all her recent troubles came to mind, Tilia’s expression turned cold.

She wasn’t going to let this go.

Tilia quickly started thinking of ways to get Gregory Myers expelled from school in the most disgraceful way possible.

‘He must have told his friends about me. I’ll gather evidence from them first…’

“Tilia.”

With a voice full of malice, Tilia was plotting her revenge when Judy interrupted her thoughts.

“Hm? What?”

“You still look sick. Your face is really pale.”

Judy examined Tilia’s face with a worried expression, then stood up.

“Let’s head back to the dorm. You should take some medicine and get plenty of rest.”

As Tilia awkwardly stood up from her seat, she suddenly remembered something.

“Judy, didn’t you have plans today? You said you were going out with your family to celebrate your brother’s return.”

“Do you think that matters? You’re sick.”

“What are you talking about? It’s been three years since you last saw your family.”

Realizing how much Judy had been looking forward to today, Tilia gently pushed her friend’s shoulder.

“I’m really fine now. As you said, my complexion will improve with some rest and medicine. I can take care of myself, so just go.”

“But…”

“I’d feel more uncomfortable if you canceled your plans to stay with me. So please, go. I’m asking you.”

Tilia’s request was sincere. More than care, what she needed right now was some time alone to clear her mind.

If Judy, who was completely unaware of the situation, stayed by her side, Tilia knew her own feelings of self-loathing would only grow darker.

“I’m really fine.”

Tilia smiled as brightly as she could, hoping she looked convincing.

“If you’re really worried, just bring me some chocolate when you get back.”