I turned around and came face to face with Evan, his bloodshot eyes glaring at me.
He had lost a lot of weight, and his complexion was as pale as snow.
But he was dressed in a black coat, still tall and straight like a tree.
His gaze was ominous, like the calm before a storm, sending a chill down my spine.
“Get out of here!” he shouted angrily.
I stood up immediately, ready to leave.
Behind me, the sound of a glass shattering echoed, followed by his father’s angry reprimands and his mother’s sobs.
Chapter 14
Slaps fell one after another on Evan’s face. He gritted his teeth and endured, his voice hoarse as he roared, “Get out of here! All of you, leave!
“Who gave you permission to come find me? I don’t want to see anyone!”
I stood quietly at the entrance, witnessing this heartbreaking family argument.
“Evan.”
My soft call sent an eerie silence over the entire living room.
Evan’s parents both turned to look at me.
Evan stood with his back to the door, frozen like a statue.
I gazed at his disheveled hair and swollen cheek.
“Don’t hurt your mother’s heart like this.
“I wish you peace and happiness in the future. Take care.”
Two years later, I received a friend request from a stranger’s account.
Due to the nature of my work, I had always been open to adding friends.
I sent a greeting first.
The person never responded.
The profile picture was of a lazy cat, making it impossible to tell the owner’s gender.
Just as I was about to click on the profile to investigate, an electronic wedding invitation popped up.
<
F
I lightly tapped the screen.
Invitation: [Ethan Davis and Grace Jones‘ Wedding]
The first photo showed Grace with a stranger, both looking sweet and affectionate.
In the picture, she was beaming, full of happiness.
It was as if she was back at that moment when she won the Best Newcomer award at the company’s annual party.
I stared at the screen, thinking a lot of things.
As I scrolled down, their love story unfolded before me.
They had met last year and, after a year of dating, had decided to get married.
In every picture, Grace was smiling happily.
That genuine joy was contagious to every viewer.
Her husband was poised and dignified, exuding an air of calm that gave off a sense of security.
I thought back to when we used to discuss our dream lovers.
I had always predicted that Grace would be drawn to such a man.
She was lively and energetic, needing a steady partner who could embrace her nature, indulge her whims, and share in her joy.
At the time, Grace had laughed, waving her hands dramatically.
“How could you think that! That kind of man is perfect for marriage, but for dating, you need someone passionate!”
“What do you mean? Passionate?”
“Someone who’s not afraid to show off their looks, someone bold, maybe a bit rebellious, who knows how to flirt and charm, someone whose glance makes my heart skip a beat…”
Someone like Evan.
In that instant, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotions.
I exited the invitation and opened Grace’s social media.
These past two years, she had lived an extraordinary life.
Not only had she made breakthroughs in her career, landing her ideal job, but she had also met like–minded friends, and her social media was filled with happiness.
Her fiancé treated her with great care, taking her on trips and capturing countless beautiful moments.
I closed the page and briefly replied.
Chapter 15
I wish you happiness and a blissful marriage, but I won’t be attending your wedding.]
[After all these years, nothing will bring us together.]
I blocked and deleted Grace’s account.
To be honest, deep inside, I had hoped she would show up on my wedding day.
Even though we had had such an unpleasant argument the day before, I still expected her to come.
4:16 PM
<
She had broken our promise first, so I wouldn’t be attending her wedding either.
From this point onward, our lives would no longer intersect.
Chapter 16
Extra Chapter: Evan’s Perspective
I met Mia at a jewelry design competition.
That day, I arrived early as a judge. The venue was bustling with people, and the staff were busy setting up booths.
But amidst the crowd, one figure immediately captured my attention.
She was standing in front of the booth, intently organizing her designs.
Her beautiful profile, fair skin, and slender figure stood out. Though dressed in simple professional attire with slightly disheveled hair, she had an unforgettable charm.
The most striking part? She looked just like my ex–girlfriend.
The one who was as fickle as I was. I assumed she was just an assistant to one of the competitors.
But a staff member nearby surprised me by saying, “This is Mia, the up–and–coming jewelry designer who’s been making waves in the industry. She’s actually the last student of Harris Wilson, which is quite rare.””
This news took me by surprise.
Although I wasn’t deeply versed in jewelry design, I had heard of Harris Wilson.
He was a legend in the field and had never taken in female students.
“How did she convince Harris to take her in?”
“I heard she impressed Mr. Wilson with her exceptional talent and relentless dedication. Her design philosophy is unique, and her work is quite innovative.”
As I was about to approach her, I saw her stagger slightly.
She leaned weakly against me, as light as a feather. Fine beads of sweat oozed from her forehead, making her delicate face appear even
paler.
She looked up at me through dazed eyes, and her gaze made my heart skip a beat.
Without a second thought, I took her to the hospital.
The diagnosis showed she was exhausted, and the doctor advised her to rest.
Afterward, I managed to get her contact details and invited her to meet up.
At first, she would always agree to meet, but gradually, she started avoiding me. This left me confused.
Having spent many years in the business world, I’d seen women eager to climb the social ladder.
But Mia was different. Her mix of distance and subtle warmth only sparked my curiosity and desire to pursue her.
I decided to earn her affection by being sincere.
Unexpectedly, during this pursuit, I found myself falling deeply in love with her.
I remember a time when she was preparing for a competition, and I couldn’t get in touch with her for three whole days.
