Chapter 403: No Room For Anyone Else

One day, Madelyn couldn't hold on any longer. She promptly laid her head down on the library table and took a short nap. Jillian, thinking Madelyn had exhausted herself, rushed over in concern. "Madelyn, are you all right?"

"Huh?" Barely conscious, Madelyn opened her eyes to see Jillian. She offered a faint smile. "I'm okay." However, her smile was so fragile it was heartbreaking.

Seeing Madelyn's struggle, Jillian felt a pang of heartache. "Madelyn, do you really have to push yourself this hard? Just watching you makes me feel exhausted."

"It's quite exhausting," Madelyn chuckled. "But as long as I achieve good grades, any hardship or exhaustion is worth it."

"Ah…" Jillian sighed helplessly. "Let me help you!"

"Really? That's wonderful!" Madelyn smiled. The two of them began to review. With Jillian's assistance, Madelyn improved significantly. Jillian, a top student, seemed to know everything. Whenever Madelyn struggled, Jillian provided detailed explanations, far more convenient than Madelyn painstakingly searching through resources herself.

Before long, Madelyn had finished reviewing an entire course. Overjoyed, she pinched Jillian's chubby face. "Jillian, you're simply a little angel!" Jillian smiled gleefully.

However, Jillian suddenly remembered Josiah was about to leave. "That's right, after the final exams, Josiah is probably going to join the military."

"Yeah…" Madelyn nodded. "He doesn't have much academic talent. Joining the military seems to suit him best."

"However…" Jillian paused, sighing deeply. "Madelyn, tell me honestly, don't you feel something's different about how Josiah feels about you?"

Madelyn's face turned slightly awkward. "Huh?"

Madelyn chuckled and played dumb. "What are you talking about? Don't overthink it. Josiah and I are just the best of friends."

When Madelyn saw Jillian's flustered demeanor, she chuckled. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing. Besides, I don't have those feelings for Josiah. Remember? I am a married woman."

Jillian seemed lost in thought. "Well, that's true… Mr. Lockhart is an exceptional man. It's likely any woman would find it hard to let him go."

Suddenly, Madelyn said seriously, "Jillian, I think it's best if I just tell you the truth. Even if Josiah likes me, it's impossible for me to reciprocate his feelings. My heart is so small, and it's already filled to the brim with Sebastian. There's simply no room left for anyone else. In this world, many things can be compromised—food, clothing, mood, friends, environment… However, when it comes to feelings, you should never settle. Josiah could find a girl who would love him wholeheartedly. If I were to miss out on Sebastian, I would regret it for the rest of my life. I've lived a lifetime of regret already. This time, I truly don't want to experience regret again."

After Madelyn finished speaking, she closed her textbook and chuckled. "But you know, instead of worrying about me, you might want to focus on yourself. I've noticed it for quite some time. Tristan seems to have a bit of a crush on you."

Jillian was perplexed, initially not comprehending Madelyn's talk about lifelong regrets. However, she quickly snapped back to reality, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Madelyn, don't jump to conclusions. My relationship with Tristan is purely platonic. We're just classmates…"

"Is that so?" Madelyn laughed suggestively. "Can't there be more than just friendship between classmates?"

Jillian's face flushed even redder. "Hey, Madelyn… Stop talking already."

"Hahaha!" Madelyn burst out laughing. Then, she stopped joking and stood up. "I think I've done enough reviewing for today. I'll head out now. If there's anything else I don't understand, I'll WhatsApp you for help."

"Okay," Jillian nodded with a smile. Madelyn left.

A few days later, the examinations commenced. The usually bustling campus was unusually quiet during the two days of exams. All the candidates were on edge, particularly the senior-year students, intensely focused on their grades and credit hours.

For all the years Madelyn had been a playful spirit, that was the first time she experienced nervousness. Fortunately, Madelyn had prepared thoroughly, so she was quite satisfied with her final grades.

The day the exams ended, the campus officially started winter break. Several people said their goodbyes at the campus gate. Jillian nodded. "Don't worry. I'll come to hang out with you whenever I have time."

Tristan suddenly burst into laughter. "Poor Josiah, he's joining the military this winter break."

Josiah rolled his eyes. "Would you die if you didn't bring up this topic?"

"What's the big deal? You're going regardless of whether I bring it up or not, right?" Tristan chuckled.

Madelyn turned her gaze toward Josiah, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Have you decided when you're enlisting?" she asked.

"Not yet," Josiah responded indifferently.

"All right. The day you decide to leave, remember to let me know in advance. Jillian and I will see you off," Madelyn said with a smile.

Josiah nodded slightly, his tone somber. "Sure."

"Okay, I'll be taking my leave first." Madelyn waved at the group, hailed a taxi, and drove away. Watching the car disappear, Josiah sighed with regret. If he joined the military, he probably wouldn't get many chances to see her again. The group said their goodbyes and went home.

Ten minutes later, Madelyn arrived at Lockhart Villa. Upon arriving home, she went straight to bed, sighing with relief. At last, the exams were over! It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. During the winter break, she would fully devote herself to learning at the company under her father's guidance.

However, an idea suddenly sprang to Madelyn's mind. That night, after finishing work, Sebastian returned home to find Madelyn engrossed in a magazine, sitting comfortably on the couch, tracing and sketching something on it—apparently drawing or examining something.

"What are you looking at?" Sebastian asked, his curiosity piqued.