Devouring Love in the Raging Fire

Nowadays, Ivana wanted to go again but didn't know if she still could. After some thought, Ivana sent an email to them, attaching her various awards over the years.

While waiting for a reply, Ivana also researched other schools and their admission requirements. But the one she wanted most was still Le Cordon Bleu.

Researching schools, checking flights, consulting about rental apartment ... Ivana busied herself until evening.

Ernest's call came through, "Ivana! Didn't learn your lesson last time? Where's the cake?" his voice sounded furious.

Sydney's voice clearly came through, "Ivana must've been caught in traffic again. Why you be so harsh with a woman? She might be scared."

Ernest commanded again, "Ivana, I'm telling you, three minutes. Right now. Deliver the cake immediately!"

Ivana held the phone and replied calmly, "I said I can't make it."

"You've gotten spoiled, haven't you?" Ivana could already picture Ernest furiously pacing on the other end of the line.

Over the years, Ivana had always gone along with Ernest. Getting up in the middle of the night to make cakes was nothing unusual, she had never said no before.

"I can't do it. That's it. I can't." After speaking, Ivana hung up and put her phone on silent mode.

Patients needed rest. Ivana told herself this and acted on it, asking the nurse to turn off the lights and going to sleep.

The phone screen switched from call after call to countless incoming messages. The screen's light bothered Ivana, so she flipped the phone over, screen down.

Ernest, whether you're happy or not, whatever you want to eat, whoever you want to eat with, it has nothing to do with me anymore.

After a good night's sleep, Ivana saw dozens of missed calls and hundreds of messages on her phone and felt it was ridiculous. For a cake, Ernest could persistently call and text her this many times.

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!"