Chapter 2

On March 21, Tracy had posted.

[It’s the third day of my period. I casually told my boss my stomach hurt, and the next day, he showed up with a cup of hot chocolate.]

[My heart almost couldn't handle it.]

On April 7, she uploaded a photo from one of the hottest restaurants in town.

[Last week, I casually mentioned that I wanted to try this place. I never expected my boss to actually bring me here today.]

[There's just something so irresistible about a mature man.]

April 7 was also the day I had asked Elias to bring me dinner.

Then there was today’s post.

Elias had just returned from his business trip to Francoria.

Tracy posted another photo, this time showing off the designer handbag Elias had brought back for her.

[So grateful for the world's best boss! I only mentioned it once, yet you remembered every detail. Love you forever!]

Elias had left a comment underneath.

[It was nothing.]

The bag she was carrying came from the same boutique I had asked Elias to buy mine at.

For me, his schedule had been too packed.

For her, it was nothing.

"I've already made up my mind about this relationship," I said quietly to Larisse over the phone. "You don't have to talk me out of it."

She let out a long sigh.

"So, you still haven't told him you're moving overseas?"

I fell silent.

After a long pause, I finally answered, "No.

"I'll tell him tonight."

...

That evening, I was in the middle of a video meeting with my colleagues overseas.

They worked at a bridal studio in Brighton City.

Over the past year, they had invited me to join them seven different times. Because of Elias, I had turned them down six times.

This was the seventh invitation.

This time, I said yes.

"I've already arranged for my studio here to be handed over," I told them. "I'll be ready to leave in two days at most."

"That's wonderful, Ms. Clark!" a colleague named Howard said, beaming. "Your talent deserves a bigger stage. Once you're here, I'll personally show you around Brighton City."

"Brighton City?"

Elias's voice suddenly cut into the conversation.

I turned around and realized he had come home.

"Why are you back so early?"

It was only eight o'clock. For the past three months, he had usually been with his assistant at this time.

He paused, clearly caught off guard.

"What do you mean by that?"

However, before I could answer, he hurried past me, pulled open the desk drawer, and searched frantically until he found two concert tickets.

Without looking up, he explained, "Tracy bought me lunch today, so I'm treating her to a concert tonight."

Then, as if worried I would misunderstand, he added, "I’m just returning the favor. Don't read too much into it."

I nodded.

My eyes drifted to the two tickets. The issue date printed on them was yesterday.

This was not a last-minute plan. He had arranged it in advance.

I did not call him out. After all, we were about to break up. Who he chose to watch a concert with was no longer my concern.

Even so... I took a slow, deep breath, but my eyes still burned.

"Elias. Do you remember what today is?"

He frowned.

"What day? Your period ended a while ago.

"I'm going to be late for the concert. I have to go."

He turned and headed for the door.

"Elias!" I called after him, forcing a smile.

"Bring me back a cake.

"A matcha one."

He froze for a second before realization crossed his face. "Okay."

"When you get back, I have something important to tell you."

"Got it."

The front door closed behind him.

I returned to my desk and reopened my laptop.

"Sorry about that," I said to Howard. "Let's continue."

Elias had forgotten. Today was my birthday.

Two months ago, when he asked what I wanted for my birthday, I asked for only two things.

The first was the handbag I had wanted for a very long time.