Chapter 3

After work, I went around to a few watch shops, but everywhere I went, I got the same answer.

"It can't be fixed."

When I got back to the house where I was staying temporarily, I drew a little sunflower on the back of the marriage application.

Samson taught me how to draw it when I was a kid.

But now, once I had drawn ten of these, he would have nothing to do with me anymore.

The next day, I still made a point to stop by Mr. Hall's office.

Mr. Hall had been my father's comrade and close friend. After my father was killed in action, Mr. Hall always looked out for me. He was almost like family.

He was also one of my superiors. Since I was leaving, I had to let him know, both officially and out of respect.

Mr. Hall frowned deeply after hearing my decision. "Are you sure about this? After so many years with Sam, are you just ending things like this?"

I nodded. "I'm not right for him."

"Not right? Who can be a better match than you two around here?" Another one of my superiors, Mr. Jameson, came in with his mug and jumped in, teasing me.

I managed a bitter smile. Samson and I had grown up together. Because of my brother, he started giving me rides to and from school early on. After my brother died, Sam stepped up to look after me, no questions asked.

He came from a good family and was talented, and everyone expected he would move up fast. I wasn't as exceptional, but I had earned a decent reputation at the broadcasting station.

Pretty much everyone assumed we were meant to be. No one realized the one he really cared about was the girl who had gone back to her hometown—his childhood sweetheart and the housekeeper's daughter, Celia Smith.

"Don't go quiet on us. Is there some kind of misunderstanding? Don't do anything rash. I really think Sam cares about you…" Mr. Jameson babbled.

"Alright, that's enough. Go somewhere else, would you?" Mr. Hall cut Mr. Jameson off before he could finish.

Mr. Hall was quiet for a long time, then finally sighed and patted my shoulder. "You're grown now. It's good for you to see more of the world."

As I left the office and walked away, I could still hear Mr. Jameson muttering, "It's over just like that?"

Mr. Hall sounded annoyed. "Keep your voice down! Do you want to announce it to the whole world?"

Samson didn't come looking for me for the rest of the day. But honestly, I didn't care about the watch he promised me anymore.

That night, I drew another sunflower on the back of the application.

Eight days left.

-

On the third morning, the liaison from the home office delivered my ticket. My departure was right on schedule.

I had officially resigned. Mr. Hall must've already spoken to the supervisor, so everything went smoothly.

As I was packing up and carrying my box out, I overheard two operators gossiping in the hallway.

"Did you hear? Commander Samson wants his childhood sweetheart to work at the station."

"I didn't know we were hiring! Is it just temporary work?"

"No way. She's his favorite. She'll never settle for that."

"That's true. Worst case, Jessica can just give up her spot for her."

"Stop." One of them spotted me and quickly greeted me, flustered. "Hey, Jessica! What a coincidence!"

Both of them looked embarrassed to be caught gossiping about me.

I just nodded like nothing happened and kept walking.

I couldn't blame them for thinking that way. When Celia first came back, Samson had already suggested I give up my job for her.

I had flatly refused, and that was actually how we had our first real argument.

But Samson's favoritism had gotten so obvious that people didn't even bother hiding their opinions anymore.

At this point, it didn't bother me at all. If anything, I just wanted the next few days to pass faster.

Everything was in order. I just needed to finish packing.

When I got back home, I happened to overhear Celia talking about this.

"If I start working at the station, do you think Jess will be upset?"