Chapter 2

I didn't sleep a wink all night.

Early the next morning, I went to the office and submitted my application for an overseas assignment to Terraton.

My manager, Benny Ramsey, glanced up at me while reviewing the paperwork.

"Wade called me last night."

My fingers froze.

Mr. Ramsey shot me an amused look. "Well, well, who would've thought you two had that kind of relationship? He said he was planning to propose to you on Thanksgiving and had even invited your old classmates to witness it. Then, he asked me to turn down your overseas assignment application."

My throat tightened. "What did you tell him?"

"I told him it was a company decision and that I couldn't interfere with it personally. He didn't sound too happy when he hung up."

Mr. Ramsey finished signing the paperwork, then looked at me with undisguised curiosity.

"Didn't you turn down the overseas assignment before? Why the sudden change of heart? What's going on? Trouble in paradise with Wade?"

I opened my mouth, but I couldn't explain myself.

It wasn't as if I could tell him I was turning down a marriage proposal simply because Wade's sudden decision to go public with our relationship seemed suspicious.

Anyone would think I'd lost my mind.

After making a couple of half-hearted excuses, I returned to my desk.

The group chat was buzzing with activity.

Everyone was busy discussing the itinerary for their trip to the villa.

Danielle even posted several new outfits in the group, asking the other women for styling advice.

I hesitated for a while before finally giving in and messaging her privately.

"Are you really going to Merry Mountain Villa?"

It took Danielle half an hour to reply in a noticeably hostile tone: "Of course, I am. Why wouldn't I? Whether you go or not is your business, and I'd suggest you stay out of mine."

I was a little angry, but I still forced myself to remain patient and sent her a voice message.

"Danielle, we've known each other for over ten years. When have I ever done anything to hurt you?"

Danielle immediately called me. The moment I answered, she exploded, "God, Lucille, you're so freaking annoying! Wade invited us all so graciously, and you're out here spinning conspiracy theories!

"Who do you think you are? Honestly, I think you've read too many trashy novels and now you're paranoid I'm going to steal your man!"

My breath caught sharply, and a surge of inexplicable fury shot through me.

The year we took our SATs, I had missed an entire exam while rescuing Danielle from an elevator. Because of that, I had to repeat a year before finally getting into a top college.

Yet, in her eyes, our friendship—a bond forged through a life-or-death ordeal—was worth less than a single invitation.

I sniffled, then abruptly hung up the phone.

Learning to respect other people's choices and let them face their own consequences was a lesson everyone must learn in life.

After work, I returned to my apartment to pack my suitcase.

Danielle was leaning against the doorframe, watching me.

"I don't understand why you refuse to go to the villa and accept Wade's proposal. Is it because you're shy? Or do you think we'd just be in the way?"

I zipped up my suitcase and answered calmly, "Neither."

"Then why?"

I picked up the suitcase handle and gave her a cool, indifferent glance. Then, I walked out of the apartment without saying a word.

The moment I got into the car, I received a message from Wade.

"Have you made up your mind? If you miss this proposal, then we're really over for good."

I stared at those words for a long while.

Suddenly, I found myself thinking back to all those years in college when I had pursued him.

I asked him out to dinner. But he kept his head down the entire time, quietly picking at his food without daring to meet my eyes.

I gave him a hand-knitted scarf, and his ears turned red. Yet, he didn't say a word.

Even after he stubbornly refused to make our relationship public, I still found my heart racing for him again and again.

But now, just seeing his profile picture sent an inexplicable chill creeping through me.

A voice deep inside kept repeating the same warning, "Whatever you do, don't go back to him."

I took a deep breath and typed back with trembling fingers, "I've made up my mind. I wish you happiness."

There was no further response from Wade.

Meanwhile, the group chat was still buzzing with people trying to talk me into changing my mind.

Eventually, Wade seemed to have had enough. He sent a message to the group, "Stop trying to persuade Lucille. We've already broken up, and I respect her decision."

I stared at the screen, struggling to make sense of it all.

Just last night, he had been so adamant that we settle down. So, why was he so quick to end our relationship the moment I said I couldn't go?