What I Lost and Found

Just when we finally saved enough money for studying abroad, God decided to play a cruel joke on us.

Judy took a sudden turn for the worse and was admitted to the ICU.

Every dollar we had saved went straight into medical bills. We borrowed everywhere we could, and it still wasn't enough.

Judy's condition kept fluctuating. Morris stayed day and night outside the ICU and couldn't step away at all.

I skipped every class and worked nonstop from morning till night. I slept three hours a day at most, and every cent I earned went straight to him.

During that time, neither of us had the energy to talk about the future. Our messages were nothing but Judy's critical condition notices and my daily transfer receipts.

The future felt too far away. Just getting through the present was already exhausting.

Thankfully, God didn't drag it out forever. Before the final exchange slots were confirmed, Judy's condition stabilized.

Half a year of constant tension finally snapped.

Morris rushed back from the hospital. I quit two of my part-time jobs. Like maniacs, we crammed classes together and threw ourselves into the study abroad exams we had waited so long for.

The results were posted quickly. Once again, we had exactly the same score.

But after missing an entire semester of classes, both of us had zero participation credit.

Morris' appeal cited caring for his mother.

I didn't even need to appeal. Every teacher and administrator knew I had been working nonstop to earn money.

I lost the appeal. After all, he was taking care of his mom, while I was just "trying to get rich".

My qualification was revoked, and the slot went to the third-ranked student.

Morris stormed into the registrar's office, insisting on proving that every job I worked was for his sake.

Unfortunately, the decision was final. There was nothing anyone could do.

He clenched his fists and said that if I wasn't going, then he wouldn't go either.

But this had been his dream since childhood. He wanted to study business in Merinthia, then come back and start his own company, so Judy and I could live good lives.

Forcing myself not to cry, I grabbed his hand and said harshly that if he dared not go, I would break up with him.

He cried so hard that he could barely breathe. He held me tight as he swore, "Olivia, wait for me. I'll come back after I finish my studies and marry you. I'll give you a home. If I let you down, let me get hit by a bus!"

By this point, Maggie was already crying so hard that she was gasping for air.

"You two suffered so much. Way too much! But why didn't you get married in the end? Did something happen to him in Merinthia?"

I shook my head calmly.

"He fell in love with another girl."

The sobbing stopped instantly. Maggie wiped her tears and clenched her fist in anger.

"Then he might as well have died over there!"

I thought maybe God really was unfair.

Every time I thought I was finally going to have a family, it threw another obstacle in my way.

The day the exchange student list was posted, the girl who ranked third jumped and cheered in front of the red bulletin board. When she turned around, our eyes met.

"Olivia!"

"Courtney?"

I was still in a daze when Courtney rushed over excitedly.

She accidentally knocked over the latte Morris had personally brewed to comfort me.

Just like that, the only two exchange students at the entire university crossed paths.

-

Courtney and I both grew up in foster care.

I was a few months older, so I naturally became the one who took care of her.

Any food we managed to get, I gave to Courtney first. She could take her pick first out of the new clothes we got. When there was a chance to study, I let her attend the better art school.

So when Courtney learned she would be studying abroad with Morris, she patted her chest and promised me, "Olivia, don't worry. I'll keep an eye on Morris for you. I won't let any other woman get close to him!"

At the time, I was actually glad. At least Morris wouldn't be alone or helpless.

After they went abroad, my life slipped right back into the same grind as before the exams.