Chapter 3

Too busy? Was he busy catching up with his first love?

Seeing that I didn't respond, Leon gently brushed my cheeks with his fingers and said softly, "Once I finish everything in the next few days, I'll spend our fifth anniversary with you."

My heart tightened. So, he did remember that we had been together for five years.

"Sadly, I won't be there to celebrate it with you," I whispered silently in my heart.

Leon didn't notice anything unusual. Suddenly, he smiled, as if something had just come to mind.

"By the way, I got a message yesterday," he said. "Uncle Nathan is getting engaged. It seems to fall on the same day as our anniversary. How about we go back to Rivelle together?"

Seeing the genuine smile in his eyes, I couldn't help but smile back. "Sure."

Satisfied with my reply, Leon left happily.

I continued packing in silence, wondering where to throw all this junk.

…

Since that day, Leon started coming home less frequently. He always used work as an excuse.

I never got the chance to bring up the breakup. All I could do was continue helping with the engagement preparations.

On the last day, someone knocked on the door.

I glanced at the clock. It wasn't the time Leon usually returned. I got up to open the door and found his junior, Alex Mason, standing there.

Alex was drenched in sweat, but he smiled brightly when he saw me.

"Ms. Bates, today is Mr. Burton's award ceremony. I came to pick you up!"

I was stunned and asked, "Did Leon ask you to come?"

"No, he didn't." Alex scratched his head. "But haven't you always gone to his award ceremonies before?"

That was true. I had never missed any of Leon's moments of honor. But now, I was leaving soon. I could also guess what the ceremony would be about.

I was about to turn Alex down, but seeing him drenched in sweat, I couldn't bear to do so. So, I changed my mind and said, "Okay."

When we arrived at the auditorium, the ceremony had already started.

Besides reporters, many respected figures from the astronomy field were present.

I asked Alex to take care of his tasks while I stayed quietly in a corner at the back of the auditorium. To my surprise, Phoebe was there too. She was sitting in the most prominent spot, as if someone had planned it.

When Leon accepted the naming certificate from the director, the room erupted in applause and camera flashes.

Under all that spotlight, Phoebe stood up from her seat and clapped excitedly for him.

Leon looked at her with a gaze that was both determined and gentle. It was as if Phoebe had been by his side all these years.

Even though I had already decided to give up on him, a dull ache still spread through my chest.

I should forget it. I was getting married soon anyway. What was the point of caring about this anymore?

So, I joined the crowd in applause as well. I considered it my final cheer for Leon.

But on stage, Leon's hand froze when he took the trophy. It was as if he sensed something. He looked toward the crowd again, but not at Phoebe. Instead, his gaze moved through the crowd and landed on me, standing in the corner.

After the ceremony ended, Leon came straight toward me. His expression was unusually flustered. The first thing he asked was, "Why are you here?"

I didn't feel like saying anything else. I just smiled and said, "I just arrived. Congrats."

But Leon didn't relax. He frowned and quickly explained, "This award belongs to Mr. Bennett. He's attending a scientific conference in Caelundra, so I accepted it on his behalf."