Chapter 2

I could put up with everything else, but that watch was different.

It was a birthday gift from my late older brother, Norman, who had spent almost six months saving up for it.

Two years ago, he was killed during an undercover mission. They never even found his remains.

That watch was all I had left to remember him by.

Samson was already so unfair. Meanwhile, I was exhausted, and I didn't even want to fight about this anymore. When I thought about my decision to leave soon, I felt strangely at peace.

I looked down at the application in my hands. "Let her have it."

Samson paused. "You're not just saying that because you're upset?"

I didn't even look up. "Yeah."

There was no point in arguing anymore. What really mattered now was the marriage application in my hands.

To avoid complications, I couldn't tell him yet that I was leaving.

Samson seemed satisfied, even letting his voice soften a little. "I'm off tomorrow. I'll go with you to buy a new watch."

Before I could refuse, I heard crying at the door.

Two female operators were helping Celia inside. Celia was limping, her face streaked with tears. When she got to me, she started crying even harder.

"Jess, it's all my fault! Please don't be mad at Sam anymore. I'll give the watch back right now."

Her hands shook as she pulled out the watch. But before I could react, it slipped from her grasp and hit the floor.

There was a sharp crack, and the face of the watch was shattered.

Before I could say a word, Celia started bawling. "I'm sorry, Jess, I didn't mean to, I…"

I picked up the watch, running my fingers over the broken face. My chest hurt so much it was hard to breathe, and my eyes stung. I just couldn't hold it in anymore and asked quietly, "What's the point of being sorry now?"

Celia immediately looked even more pitiful and threw herself into Samson's arms.

"Sam, I really didn't mean for this to happen! I just didn't want Jess to blame you, so I hurried to bring it back. I…"

She seemed too flustered to go on, so the other operators jumped in to help her.

"It's just a watch. Celia just borrowed it, and it's not like she was keeping it. Why are you making such a big deal?"

"She even hurt her knee and elbow rushing to return it!"

"We're all on the same team. Isn't helping each other what we're supposed to do? Jessica, you are one of our best broadcasters! No need to be so petty!"

With everyone taking her side, Celia started sobbing even harder. Her whole body was shaking like she was completely devastated.

Samson gently patted her back, then shot me a hard look. "Are you happy now?"

Then he picked her up like a princess and murmured, "Don't cry, I'll take you to the hospital."

Celia buried her face in his shoulder, and from an angle that no one else could see, she shot me a smug little smile.

I held onto the watch, ignoring her.

At the door, Samson suddenly stopped and looked back at me. "You. Don't you have anything to say?"

I shot back, "Say what?"

Should I start crying and admit I was wrong? Or beg to tag along to the hospital? I wasn't about to stoop that low.

Samson stared at me for a moment, then snapped, "Turn in the application yourself."

I watched him hurry out with her in his arms, practically stumbling as he rushed.

I let out a bitter laugh. It was all so familiar. Back when I twisted my ankle, he would carry me to the clinic just like that. The only difference was, now he had someone else in his arms.

Of course, I was just a shadow in his life, someone to keep him company when he was lonely. Celia was the one he truly cared about.

One always had to return the life that one stole. How foolish of me to ever think I was the right person for him.

But none of it mattered now. I had already solved my first problem.

Samson was so focused on Celia, he would never suspect I would hide the marriage application.

And even if I turned it in normally, it would take at least ten days to get approved.

I would be gone long before the marriage application would be approved.