Mag-log inOn the day of the proposal presentation, more than ten executives from the brand's headquarters attended the presentation. The atmosphere in the conference room was tense.I stepped onto the stage and presented the entire art collaboration proposal. When the presentation ended, the room fell silent for two seconds before breaking into continuous applause.The brand director quickly walked over, handed me a business card, and spoke with admiration. "Over the past few years, we've worked with countless planners."You're the most creative person we've met, and you understand women's preferences and emotional needs better than anyone else. Let's finalize this year-long partnership right now."When I walked out of the conference room, everyone on my team gathered around me and cheered.Dexter stood at the edge of the crowd with a gentle smile. He handed me a cup of warm floral tea and said softly, "I always knew you wouldn't let me down."…After the project launched, it became a hug
After hearing the woman's words, panic instantly spread across Wayne's face.He quickly leaned forward and said, "If everything in Souter still bothers you, I can quit my job at the law firm, pack my things, and move to Warler. I've completely cut off all contact with Andrea. From now on, I'll stay by your side all the time."I slowly shook my head and calmly pointed out the truth he had never been able to see. "The problem was never the distance between Souter and Warler, nor was it whether you were willing to give up your job to follow me. The real problem is the kind of person you are."Whenever someone cries in front of you, complains about their problems, or asks you for help, your first instinct is always to sacrifice your partner for someone else."Today it's Andrea. Tomorrow, it'll be someone else who needs you to clean up their messes. I don't dare to take that chance again, and I don't want to."Wayne's eyes reddened. He leaned forward, his voice full of pleading. "Edith
Wayne deliberately lowered his voice and pleaded, "I was foolish before, only thinking about Andrea and ignoring your feelings. I even forced you to apologize in the hospital room and even threatened you with the medical bills. I regret everything."I've completely cut ties with Andrea. Will you come back with me? I'll prioritize you in everything from now on."I took half a step back, avoiding his outstretched handI looked up and stared at him coldly. My words were clear and sharp, cutting through every bit of his hypocritical remorse. "Wayne Garner, you were never foolish. You were just used to sacrificing me to please others."You're not here because you finally realized how much you hurt me and felt bad for me. You're here because no one is willing to put up with your favoritism anymore. Only after you lost the person who was always waiting for you did you remember how good I was."Your idea of making up for it always comes with conditions. I stopped wanting this kind of chea
I walked out of Warler Airport. The cool evening breeze brushed against my face, sweeping away the heaviness that had built up in my chest over those three years in Souter.Following the onboarding instructions, I found the studio apartment the company had arranged for me in advance. It wasn't large, just a one-bedroom unit. The interior was clean and minimalist, equipped with basic appliances, so I didn't need to bother buying any major furniture.It was just enough for me to settle in for the time being.After wiping down the desk, chairs, and floor, I unpacked my backpack. I neatly arranged my drawing tablet and sketches on the desk, then pulled out the project materials the company had sent me and read through them carefully.I would officially start work the following Monday. I didn't want to begin my new life in a chaotic state.…On Sunday afternoon, I went to the office early to familiarize myself with the place. The receptionist in the lobby recognized my name and smiled
The plane taxied smoothly along the runway at Souter Airport. The seatbelt sign lit up. I leaned back in my window seat, my fingertips pressed against the glass, watching the city's outline gradually fade into the distance.It was the first time in my 25 years that I had left Souter alone.From the day I started college at 18, through graduate school, and during the three years I lived with Wayne, my life had always revolved around Souter and him.The three-hour flight was long enough for me to revisit and sort through all those memories.Wayne and I were graduate students in the same year at the same university. He was in law school, while I was in the school of advertising design.We first met in the library. At the time, he carried a heavy pile of law books, while my hand-drawn drafts covered the entire table. He offered to lend me an eraser, and I helped him design a poster for his competition presentation.As we spent more time together, we naturally fell in love. Back then,
I was left alone in the spacious private room. Turning onto my side, I buried my face in the pillow and cried silently.For the next five days, Wayne never once set foot into my room again.The caregiver came on schedule every day to change my dressing and bring my meals, occasionally chatting with me for a bit. Whenever I brought up Wayne, she simply shook her head and said she had never seen him come by.I didn't feel disappointed at all. Instead, I felt unusually at peace.From time to time, I checked Instagram and saw Andrea posting updates constantly.In one photo, Andrea and Wayne were walking through a street fair by the river. That was the very place we had planned to visit on New Year's Eve the year before. I had arranged it with him half a month in advance. However, at the last minute, he claimed he had to work late and left me waiting at home alone until after midnight.In another post, Wayne was bending down on an upscale shopping street to tie Andrea's shoelaces.







