Chapter 15
Luigi’s entire world tilted on its axis as his heart nearly stopped beating.
After four years of searching, of aching, of dreaming-this was how they’d meet again?
Aurelia looked thinner, sharper. She wore a crisp black blazer that made her appear untouchable and intimidating-nothing like the vulnerable girl who used to curl up in his arms.
His eyes devoured every detail of her face with desperate hunger.
“Aurelia…” The name escaped his lips like a prayer, but she’d already looked through him with arctic indifference.
Like he was a stranger. Like their two years together had never existed.
Her coldness hit him like a physical blow, choking off whatever he’d been about to say.
Luigi’s hands trembled as he gripped his desk. The sweet, loving Aurelia he remembered had been replaced by this untouchable goddess who looked at him like he was nothing.
He swallowed the hurricane of emotions threatening to tear him apart and focused on her every movement.
Aurelia’s gaze swept across the classroom as she tapped the metal box beside her.
During your three years in this program, you’ll have zero contact with the outside world. Your civilian identities will be classified, so I need everyone o surrender your personal devices.”
You’ll receive secure campus phones operating on encrypted military networks for academic purposes only.”
he directed students to line up for the phone exchange.
uigi maneuvered himself to the back of the line, his pulse hammering as he inched closer to the woman who’d haunted his every waking moment.
His heart, which had felt dead and hollow for four years, suddenly exploded back to life with such force he thought his ribs might crack.
Aurelia was more stunning than ever-and looking at him with less warmth than she’d show a piece of furniture.
When his turn came, she handed him the new device without even glancing at his face, her fingers carefully avoiding any contact with his.
The deliberate avoidance felt like being stabbed.
After the phone exchange came introductions.
Everyone delivered generic, forgettable speeches until Luigi’s turn arrived. His throat felt raw as emotions he’d been suppressing for years suddenly rupted.
He locked eyes with Aurelia, his voice breaking: “I’m Luigi Maggiore. I transferred here from Boston University’s athletic program. I came here for one reason-because of one person.”
His voice cracked completely. “I need answers. I need to understand what happened to us.”
Luigi stared directly into Aurelia’s eyes as he spoke, pouring four years of heartbreak into those words.
She met his gaze with the emotional depth of a marble statue.
Nothing. Not even a flicker of recognition or feeling.
Luigi felt like his chest was caving in.
Was he really the only one drowning in memories of what they’d shared? Had she erased him so completely from her heart that he might as well have
never existed?
Chapter 15
The thought was so devastating he could barely stay upright.
He stood there shaking until Aurelia’s cool voice cut through his spiral.
“Please take your seat, Mr. Maggiore.”
Luigi stumbled back to his chair, his entire body numb with shock.
He spent the rest of class staring at Aurelia like a man dying of thirst watching water, absorbing nothing she taught.
Only when she mentioned creating a study group chat did hope flicker in his chest. He joined the Teams (Gov/EDU) channel instantly, desperate for any connection to her.
Luigi immediately checked her profile-a sleek black cat avatar that matched her current ice queen persona perfectly.
He remembered when Aurelia used adorable kitten pictures that reflected her sweet, gentle nature. Now even her digital presence screamed “stay
away.”
Four years had transformed her from his soft, loving girlfriend into this untouchable stranger.
After a moment of internal debate, Luigi sent her a connection request on the platform.
He watched Aurelia’s elegant eyebrows furrow slightly as the notification appeared. Then she deliberately ignored it and powered down her device.
lass ended. She still hadn’t accepted his request.
Aurelia packed up the box of confiscated phones and headed for the door. Luigi shot up from his seat and chased after her like his life depended on it.
Aurelia!”
