Even back when Ivana had a fever, fainted and was hospitalized, he had never given her such treatment. Judging from his messages, he didn't even know she was hospitalized and had a toe amputated.

Ivana didn't intend to reply, she just compulsively tapped away all the notification dots.

Then she opened her email. There sat one unread message.

Ivana's heart raced, please, please let it be an acceptance!

She opened the email and sure enough, it was an acceptance letter. Holding her phone, she cried tears of joy. At that moment, she suddenly realized it had been so long since she'd felt this happy.

She got busy booking flights. Her foot needed another half a month to heal, so she scheduled her flight for a month later. She also needed to start looking for housing. She contacted local agents, wondering whether her broken French would be understandable.

She couldn't bring too much luggage. Everything from before could be left behind. She'd only bring a few personal clothes and buy new things in France.

***

Ernest's call came in again. After some thought, Ivana answered.

Five years of feelings, even if they were breaking up, she wanted it to end as clearly as it began.

"Ivana, have you had enough? It's been half a month and you haven't been home. Tomorrow's Sydney's welcome-back dinner. I won't hold this against you anymore. Make that award-winning Eternal Companion fondant cake and bring it over."

"I can't make it." Ivana said casually.

He roared, "It's been half a month already, haven't you had enough?"

"Even another half a month won't be enough for me to come home," she said.

"What do you mean by that?" he puzzled.

"Oh no, don't scold her. Ivana might blame me," Sydney's syrupy voice chimed in.

Ivana said again, "I'm hospitalized. I can't make it."

Ernest exploaded, "What kind of illness lasts half a month? Stop pretending! She's your senior!"

Ivana found it utterly absurd. She couldn't understand what made Sydney a 'senior.'

Back then, there were dozens of students learning under that pastry chef. How did Sydney suddenly become her senior? She had never recognized her as such.

"I lost a toe. I can't come." Ivana looked at her right foot, now missing one toe and that day trapped in the freezer involuntarily flashed in her mind.

Her heart clenched, though she didn't know if it was because of losing a toe or Ernest's heartlessness.