The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 525

"Piper Prescott, who the hell do you think you are?!"

Hearing those words, a sharp pang pierced Piper's chest. Professor Jace had never spoken to her like that before.

But she bit her lip, remaining silent, and didn't try to grab the can again.

She stood up, walked over to the window, and pulled the curtains open just a crack before unlatching half of the window. The evening wind rushed in, carrying the icy chill of winter, slowly diluting the suffocating stench of alcohol trapped in the room.

Bending down, she began picking up the empty cans scattered across the floor.

One by one, she gathered them, tossing them into the empty trash bag she had brought in from the hallway. The cans clattered together with sharp, metallic clinks. After that, she stacked the rotting takeout boxes neatly and took a damp cloth to scrub the sticky beer stains and ash off the coffee table...

Josh didn't say a word.

He crushed the empty can in his hand, tossed it aside, and reached under the table to grab a fresh one.

Piper walked back over and pressed her hand firmly down on his.

"Professor Jace, I know you're hurting right now. But... it's completely normal for Sloane to be worried about Dr. Foster. After all, he almost died trying to protect her."

"I know Sloane still cares about you. If she saw you destroying yourself like this, it would break her heart."

"Cares about me? Hah," he let out a cold, hollow laugh. "Right. Cares about me. Like a brother. She only has room in her heart for me as a kid brother."

He pulled his hand out from beneath hers and popped the tab.

The carbonation hissed as the bubbles rose to the top. He didn't drink it. He just stared down at the tiny white foam gathering at the opening.

"But I know now... it was nothing but a dream... just a dream..."

Watching him shatter like this, Piper felt her own heart sinking right along with his.

She had seen him out in the field, confident and commanding. She had seen him lecturing in the classroom, absolutely brilliant. She had even seen him petty and jealous when fighting for Sloane's attention. But she had never, ever seen him like this—curled up in the middle of a filthy room, surrounded by empty bottles, looking like a mortally wounded animal.

She took a step forward, then another.

Reaching out, she gently pulled Josh into a hug. Her movements were incredibly careful, as if she were holding a fractured piece of porcelain, terrified that too much pressure would shatter it completely.

"Professor... even if it was a dream, it must have been a beautiful one..."

"No matter what happens between you and Sloane, I'll always be here to support you both. Don't be sad anymore. You still have me..."