Nadia didn't believe in coincidence.
So when she finally got Stephen's number—from a friend who "just happened" to have it—she smiled at her phone like someone who already knew the ending.
She didn't text immediately.
Nadia understood timing.
Across campus, life was quietly shifting for Tiana.
Her department felt different now—less heavy, less watchful. She sat closer to the front during lectures, asked questions without shrinking her voice, walked with her shoulders relaxed instead of guarded.
That was when Dare noticed her.
He had seen her before, of course—everyone had. But this time, he looked.
The way she listened more than she spoke.
The way her laughter came softly, like it wasn't trying to be heard.
The way she carried herself like someone who had survived something and didn't feel the need to explain it.
Dare didn't rush.
He asked for her notes once.
Then asked if she understood a topic.
Then sat beside her the next day—close enough to be present, far enough to be respectful.
Stephen noticed.
Not with jealousy—but with awareness.
Joshua noticed too.
He watched from a distance as Dare walked with her after lectures, their conversations light, unforced. It unsettled him in a way he couldn't name.
Another one? he thought bitterly.
Already?
That evening, Stephen's phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
Hi Stephen. This is Nadia.
He stared at the screen longer than necessary.
Another message came.
I hope this isn't awkward. I just thought we should talk sometime.
Stephen sighed.
He didn't reply.
Not immediately.
Meanwhile, Joshua was unraveling quietly.
He replayed everything—Tiana's silence, Stephen's loyalty, Nadia's indifference. For the first time, he saw himself clearly in the mess he created.
Not misunderstood.
Not unlucky.
Just careless.
He typed a message to Tiana.
Deleted it.
Typed again.
Deleted it.
Across campus, Tiana laughed—really laughed—at something Dare said about a lecturer who "spoke like commas were optional." She covered her mouth instinctively, surprised by herself.
Stephen watched her with something close to relief.
She was healing.
Slowly. Gently. On her own terms.
Later that night, Stephen finally replied Nadia.
I think it's best we don't talk.
Nadia read the message twice.
Then smiled.
She had never wanted him to say yes.
She wanted to be remembered.
On the other side of campus, Joshua lay awake, staring at the ceiling, realizing something terrifying:
Tiana was no longer just slipping away.
She was moving forward.
And this time, she wasn't looking back to see who followed.