Chapter 76 I'll Send You the Link
Terrence's ears flushed, the faintest flush rising to his ears. He didn't admit it, but he didn't deny it either.
Instead, he leaned down, closing the space between them until his breath brushed against her lips—warm and feather-light, a ghost of contact that made her pulse skip.
Bianca let out a low, amused laugh from deep in her throat. Rising on her toes, she pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
The softness of her lips, laced with the sweetness only a young woman could carry, rippled through the morning air like a secret shared. Terrence's hand slid to the back of her head, fingers threading through her hair, pulling her closer to deepen the kiss.
Their breaths tangled, the air between them charged. Forehead resting against hers, his voice came out husky. "When school starts, don't get too close to other men."
Bianca's breathing was still uneven, but she gave a soft sound in reply.
Outside, autumn sunlight poured over the tall plane trees, turning their leaves into sheets of gold. The school gates were alive with movement—students arriving, parents lingering, the hum of a new term beginning.
A sleek, black limited-edition car rolled to a stop at the curb, its sharp lines drawing stares from every direction. Conversations faltered; heads turned.
Terrence twirled a silver key between his fingers before offering it to the girl in the passenger seat.
"After classes, someone will take you there. It's close to the school. If you get tired, you can rest."
The cool metal met her fingertips, but the warmth that bloomed in her chest was anything but cold.
Her smile was subtle, her head tilting just enough to glance through the window at the school beyond.
Behind her, Terrence's gaze burned, fixed on her as though he could fuse her into himself with sheer will. His eyes were dark, turbulent, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened until the veins stood out against his skin.
Outside the car, girls her age waved to their families before stepping through the grand gates. The sight imprinted itself in Bianca's mind.
In her previous life, she had barely set foot on campus. Responsibilities and tangled obligations had kept her away until she withdrew entirely. School had become a distant dream.
Now, the anticipation stirred in her chest—but more than that, she wanted to share the moment with Terrence.
Resting her hands on the edge of the window, she asked, "I don't see the guards stopping parents from going in. Do you want to come inside and look around with me?"
They had an age gap. Terrence had graduated long ago. They'd never had the kind of youthful romance that bloomed in hallways and classrooms. That kind of love fascinated her. If they had been the same age, if they had gone to the same school, she could have watched him grow, been part of his days.
But there were no ifs. This was the closest they could get to rewriting that chapter.
Terrence's throat worked, his fingers tapping lightly against the wheel. Then, without warning, he pulled her into his arms, breathing in the scent of her hair.
The motion was full of reluctance, but he let her go. He couldn't keep her here. Bianca had her own life. Love wasn't about locking someone in a cage.
He repeated the thought to himself, over and over.
She shifted, confused by the sudden embrace, but when she tried to lift her head, his jaw pressed against her crown, holding her still.
"Terrence?" she asked, her voice uncertain.
"Go ahead. I have things to take care of." His hands loosened, but not without hesitation.
The thought of days without her gnawed at him. Even imagining it made his chest tighten, his skin prickle. If he stayed a moment longer, he wouldn't be able to let her go.
Her heart dipped with disappointment, but she forced a smile. "Then I'll head in."
She pushed the door open, stepping out with a heaviness she didn't bother to hide.
The dormitory door swung inward, and a familiar face appeared—Melissa Jenkins, her roommate.
"Well, well… Bianca. Long time no see, and now you're arriving in a limited-edition ride." Melissa's tone was laced with obvious envy.
Bianca had always kept a low profile. Glenn had never been willing to invest much in her, so most people assumed she came from an ordinary family.
But Melissa had seen that car at the gates. She recognized the emblem from online—rumor had it even the basic model cost millions. When had Bianca met someone like that?
Her eyes narrowed, studying Bianca. "That car wasn't cheap. When did you meet someone so wealthy?" She reached for Bianca's hand, pretending at closeness.
In this life, Bianca had learned better. Her tone was cool as she stepped out of reach.
She had never wronged her roommates, least of all Melissa. She knew about Melissa's financial struggles and had helped her more than once. But that kindness had been repaid with betrayal.
Memories from her past life surged—Melissa stabbing her in the back, draining her for every ounce of value. Bianca's gaze hardened.
"A friend," she said, the two words clipped and final.
Melissa's smile faltered. She heard the distance in Bianca's voice and felt a flicker of unease. Had her earlier tone been too sharp? Bianca had been her lifeline—she couldn't afford to lose that.
Her grin returned, forced and sweet. "A friend, huh? He's generous, driving you here in a car like that."
"So you mean he shouldn't have?" Bianca's voice was edged, her irritation plain.
"You're misunderstanding me. I didn't mean that at all. I'm saying he's kind. I've never even seen a car that expensive. If I could ride in it just once, I'd die happy." Melissa's laugh was light, but her eyes darted sideways, gauging Bianca's reaction.
Bianca kept her expression neutral, busying herself with her belongings. "He's a bit of a neat freak. He doesn't let strangers in his car."
Melissa's jaw tightened, her nails digging into her palm. Was Bianca calling her dirty?
She inhaled sharply, forcing the anger down, until her gaze caught on a jar of cream on Bianca's desk.
"Bianca, did you win the lottery? This cream is expensive." Melissa's tone shifted to admiration, tinged with longing. "It must work wonders. My skin's been so dry, but I haven't had the money for skincare…"
Her voice trailed off, the practiced note of self-pity creeping in. She had used it before, knowing Bianca's soft heart would make her give away whatever Melissa wanted.
"Yeah, it works well. It doesn't come cheap, though." Bianca turned, leaning lightly on the desk, her smile faint and unreadable. "If you want to buy it, I can send you the link."