Chapter 2

Some people saw how plain my clothes were and couldn't resist making fun of me.

Ever since I arrived, Liana's gaze had been fixed on me.

I nodded to her in greeting. It was just a simple acknowledgement.

She seemed surprised, her bright eyes unreadable.

"Oh, Ryan. After all these years, you're still just as unambitious as ever." Serge shot me a cold look before pulling Liana closer, like he was staking his claim. "Sure, his life's a little rough. But let's not dwell on his failures. We're all classmates here."

He sized me up, his lip curling in disdain.

"But honestly, why would you show up at a class reunion looking like this? You're in your thirties. You should know, clothes make the man. What woman would go for someone who can't even be bothered to groom himself? I've got a spare suit in my car. Why don't you wear it, just to look a little more presentable?"

As soon as he finished, his words sent the entire crowd into laughter.

The contrast between us couldn't have been more obvious. He wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and a custom-tailored suit. His hair was perfectly combed, and every move he made showed his privileged upbringing.

Me?

I had just finished working on a pile of case files and hadn't slept in nearly twenty-four hours. I was worn out, and I looked terrible. My clothes were cheap, brandless casual wear.

Of course, I couldn't be compared to him.

"Thanks for your offer, but I don't need it," I said politely, then turned my attention to the food.

After an all-nighter, I was so hungry, I could eat a horse.

As I dug in, Liana suddenly walked over and handed me a check for twenty thousand dollars.

"This is just a little help for old times' sake. You don't have to pay me back. Go get yourself some decent clothes, find a steady job, and take better care of yourself.

"Ryan, let the past stay in the past. Don't get stuck there. If not for… Never mind. It doesn't matter anymore now. What matters is that you don't give up on yourself just because I left. It makes things difficult for me, too."

What was she trying to say?

I looked up at her, suddenly wondering what on earth I could have done in a past life that made her so quick to leave me behind in this one.

In our last life, we had dated as classmates and eventually married.

She dreamed of being a dancer, and I wanted to work in law. Both our paths were expensive and tough at the start. Because I loved her, I gave up my dreams. I turned down a chance at a PhD and started working early so I could support her. Whenever she failed or felt discouraged, I covered all the bills and comforted her with patience.

I thought she understood how much I loved her.

But one day, she wanted another pair of expensive dance shoes. When I had to say no because we didn't have the money, she tossed all her old dance shoes into the trash, then broke down in tears.

"Ryan! If it weren't because I loved you, if I'd just listened to Serge and gone abroad with him, I wouldn't be stuck living like this! Marrying you was the biggest mistake of my life!"

After that, she quit dancing and gave up on her dreams.

Meanwhile, her words haunted me. I lost sleep, heartbroken and alone.