Past Love's Expiry Date

"Mr. Scott, I've made up my mind. I'm going to Euressa to pursue my career."

On the other end of the phone, Jefferson Scott was all smiles. "You should've done this sooner. With your talent, if you'd come earlier, you'd definitely be an internationally renowned photographer by now."

Hendrix Gorman smiled politely. "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Scott."

"When are you planning to come?"

Hendrix thought for a moment before responding, "Probably in about two weeks. I still have some things to wrap up here."

"Alright. You know, Nicholas passed away early. Sabrina has been looking after you for all these years. She's been incredible to you. Now that you're planning to settle abroad, you should have a proper talk with her."

After hanging up, Hendrix glanced over at the woman who was trying on her wedding dress in the distance and the man standing beside her with a smile. He couldn't help but give a bitter smile.

Sabrina Reed had indeed taken great care of him. She had been attentive to every little detail and had always been there for him.

In fact, Sabrina was an orphan. But she and Hendrix's older brother, Nicholas Gorman, had been betrothed to each other since childhood by their families. So when her family had fallen on hard times, the Gorman family had taken her in.

Unfortunately, Nicholas had passed away at a young age, and their engagement had never been fulfilled.

All these years, it had been just Hendrix and Sabrina growing up together.

Even the elders had joked, "Why are you two always sticking together? People might start thinking something's going on."

Sabrina had asked, "What would they think?"

"They'd think you two are a couple!"

Sabrina had looked at Hendrix with that gentle smile on her lips just like now and replied, "Let them think whatever they want."

Back then, Hendrix had felt a mix of confusion and surprise. But when he had looked into Sabrina's warm and loving eyes, his face had turned slightly red.

People lived in moments. And that moment had become the happiest of his life.

He had been waiting for Sabrina to confess to him so he could marry her in the grandest ceremony without hesitation.

But as he waited, what he got was her eyes looking toward another man.

Rowan Shepard was her secretary.

At the time, Sabrina had laid several resumes in front of Hendrix and said, "Hendrix, help me pick one."

Hendrix had been hesitant. "I'm not good at this. You should let HR handle this."

But Sabrina had insisted, "My secretary will probably be seeing you often in the future. Pick someone you like, so you'll feel more comfortable when you interact."

Rowan had been the one Hendrix had picked out to be Sabrina's secretary.

But what he hadn't expected was that he had actually chosen a romantic rival instead of a secretary.

"Hendrix!" Rowan excitedly called out to him from a distance. "Come help me pick. What do you think about this suit to match Bri's wedding dress? She can't decide. She says it's all fine, no matter what I try on."

Hendrix sighed. "It's your suit. If you think it looks good, then that's what matters."

Rowan, ever so patient, said, "Hendrix, you know my background isn't great. I'm afraid my taste isn't high enough to match Bri's. You, though, you're a photographer. Your taste must be top-notch!"

"I'm only good with photography, not picking out suits," Hendrix replied.

Rowan's tone dropped slightly, and there was a hint of hurt in his voice. "Hendrix, are you still upset with me?"

Hendrix opened his mouth to explain but wasn't sure how.

He wasn't upset with Rowan. He just couldn't understand how Sabrina, who had once been so close to him, could suddenly fall for someone else.

"Bri, why don't you go talk to Hendrix? I think he's still upset about what happened last time."

Sabrina replied, "He wouldn't be."

"It was my mistake. I accused him wrongly. Maybe we should hold off on the wedding until Hendrix is okay with it."

Sabrina frowned. "How can we delay the wedding just because he's upset?"

"But he's your family and someone you care about. I want his blessing," Rowan said.

Sabrina hesitated before slowly walking toward Hendrix. Her voice was slightly cold as she asked, "Are you still mad about last time?"

Hendrix turned his head away. "I'm not."

"You suddenly hugged me that time. It's normal for Rowan to misunderstand. How can you suddenly hug me like that? Hendrix, you're an adult now. You should be more mindful of your actions."

Hendrix looked at the slight reproach on her face, and his eyes instantly welled up.

Back when Sabrina had still loved him, it had always been her clinging to him.

Whenever others had been around, he had tried to keep a little distance from her, but she had pulled him right back to her side with a hint of dissatisfaction.

When he had traveled to the countryside for inspiration, she had been right there with him. When he had gone to Afrona to film the animal migration, she had followed him there too.

Sabrina had once said that no matter where they were, she would always stand by him. Anytime Hendrix turned around, she would always be there.

It had been the day he had won an award for his photography in an international competition. He had instinctively hugged Sabrina, wanting to share the joy with her.

But Rowan had barged in without knocking and had seen the whole thing.

From that day on, Sabrina had become distant and cold, avoiding Hendrix at every turn.

Hendrix took a deep breath before exhaling slowly. "Sorry, I was too excited at that time and caused Mr. Shepard to misunderstand. I'll be more careful from now on. It won't happen again."

Sabrina nodded slightly. "I'm glad you understand."

He gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment and said, "You two continue. I'm not feeling well. I'll go first."

As he turned to walk out of the bridal shop, his heart ached.

Hendrix pulled out his phone and booked a flight.

Two weeks from now, he would board that plane and leave this place and Sabrina for good.