Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 74 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 74

Chapter 6 

Evan got slapped with a hefty fine for forging that invitation, plus a border restriction that banned him from re-entry. Had to fly home immediately. 

Gina slunk back to the States too. Before she left, she posted one last story blaming the whole thing on Evan, calling him irresponsible and saying he threw her under the bus. 

Good riddance. 

With them gone, I could finally breathe. 

I dove into the program-attended every workshop, shadowed master teachers, practiced new pedagogical approaches. Six months in, I was named Outstanding Fellow. 

That week, the program arranged a visit to a local high school for cross-cultural observation. 

I wasn’t expecting to run into anyone I knew. 

But there he was. 

Aaron Chase. My college classmate. 

Aaron was the guy everyone wanted to study with back in undergrad. Smart, patient, funny. He’d asked me out senior 

year. 

I turned him down. Too busy chasing Evan. 

We lost touch after graduation. 

And now here he was. In France. 

“Claire? No way. Is that really you?” 

His whole face lit up. 

I smiled back, genuinely surprised. 

“Aaron. Wow. What are you doing here?” 

“Exchange teacher. Been here almost a year. Can’t believe I’m running into you.” 

Chapter 6 

He looked at me with this soft expression I wasn’t used to anymore. “You seem different. More confident. You’re glowing.” 

I froze. 

It was the first time someone other than me noticed I’d changed. 

With Evan. I was always walking on eggshells, always afraid I wasn’t good enough. Over time, I just… shrank. Lost myself completely. 

Aaron and I talked for hours. 

Turned out he’d been teaching internationally since graduation, building a solid reputation and even getting published in a few education journals. 

He knew about Evan. Didn’t pry. Just said: 

“What’s past is past. You deserve better.” 

After that, Aaron started checking in regularly-showed me around Lyon, swapped lesson plans, grabbed lunch, went on evening walks along the Rhône. 

His warmth was so easy. So genuine. 

It reminded me what it felt like to be seen. Not as someone’s obligation. But as someone worth caring about. 

Six months later, I aced my mid-program evaluation, got selected for an observation placement at one of the top lycées in the city, and even earned a research grant. 

I told Aaron the news. He looked more excited than I did. 

Took me out for a celebratory dinner at this cozy bistro near campus. 

We were laughing over crème brûlée when I saw him. 

Evan. 

Wrinkled hoodie. Messy hair. Hollow eyes. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. 

Nothing like the polished, composed teacher I used to know. 

He spotted me. His face lit up. 

Started walking over. 

“Claire. Oh my god. It’s really you.” 

15:59 

Chapter 6 

His voice cracked. Eyes full of relief and guilt. 

“I’ve been looking everywhere. I finally found you.” 

I frowned and instinctively leaned closer to Aaron. 

Aaron reached over and took my hand. Looked at Evan calmly. 

“Can we help you? Claire’s my girlfriend. She’s not interested in talking.” 

Evan’s face went white. 

He stared at our hands. Then at me. 

Pain and regret flooded his expression. 

“Girlfriend? Claire, you’re really done with me? I messed up. I know I messed up. Just give me one more chance. Please.” 

“I cut things off with Gina. She was a liar. She used me. I see that now. The person I actually love… it’s you. It’s always been you.” 

I looked at him standing there, broken and desperate. 

Felt absolutely nothing. 

I gently pulled my hand back from Aaron’s and met Evan’s gaze. 

“Evan, I don’t love you anymore. What happened between us? I’m done talking about it. Leave. Don’t come back.” 

Evan opened his mouth to argue. 

Aaron stepped in front of me. 

“Mr. Anderson. Show some respect. If you keep harassing her, I’m calling security.” 

Evan looked at me one last time. Eyes red. Voice shaking. 

Then he turned and walked away. 

I watched him disappear into the crowd. 

And I knew. 

We were finally, truly over. 

Chapter 6 

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