Chapter 4

I fought hard to control my expression, to keep myself from breaking down.

Stella only liked white roses, and I was the one who told him that.

I only liked baby's breath; he had never gotten it wrong all these years.

He finally realized he was holding white roses.

His eyes darted nervously for a moment, then he quickly tried to cover it up:

"I was in such a rush this morning, I didn't even notice I grabbed the wrong flowers. I'll get you a bigger bouquet later."

He said, then instinctively glanced at Stella.

Stella didn't look at him. She walked straight over and took my suitcase.

"Come on, I'll take you to get something good to eat."

Normally, Stella, Ethan, and I would go out and feast on all our favorite foods.

But those words from the confession thread kept replaying in my mind.

I managed a strained smile:

"You two go ahead. I need to go back to the office first."

Ethan stepped forward:

"I'll drive you."

"No need!"

I refused without thinking.

Perhaps my emotions were too intense.

Ethan and Stella furrowed their brows, their eyes filled with confusion.

I lowered my head, took my suitcase back from Stella, and steadied my voice:

"The company is waiting for my report. I won't be back until a bit later."

Their brows relaxed, and Stella smiled:

"Okay, then I'll make your favorite dinner tonight."

Ethan curved his lips:

"Then call me when you're done, and I'll pick you up."

I nodded.

Pulling my suitcase, I fled the airport like a phantom and hailed a taxi to the company.

Outside the window, familiar streetscapes sped past.

I had lived in this city for twenty-five years.

Every road held a trace of both of them.

Stella would always rip into Ethan over something he said.

Each time, Ethan would raise his hands in surrender, muttering, "My bad, my bad."

Then he'd quietly lean into my ear and complain:

"Stella is so fierce."

Those days were truly happy.

Snapping back to reality, I realized my face was streaked with tears.

The taxi driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror.

"Ma'am, nothing's impossible to get over. You gotta look forward in life."

I gave an embarrassed smile.

And wiped away the tears from my eyes.

I got out at the company building, paid the driver, and took a deep breath, looking up at the office tower.

I'd been on a business trip for six months, temporarily assigned to an out-of-state project.

Because of my excellent performance, my manager had even wanted to send me to participate in a secret overseas project.

I had refused.

Because Ethan said he wanted to get married soon.

Before my trip, he'd said we'd look at wedding venues when I got back.

But now, no need for wedding venues.

But this project, I would take it.

Walking into the office, the manager was coming out of a meeting room with a stack of documents.

He saw me and paused:

"Luna? Aren't you supposed to be back tomorrow?"

"Came back early."

I forced a smile:

"Manager, that overseas assignment you mentioned earlier, I want to apply for it."

The manager's eyes lit up:

"Really? I tried to convince you for so long, and you wouldn't budge."

"What, did you change your mind?"

Changed my mind?

Even now, I still couldn't believe Stella and Ethan would betray me.

But I knew some things didn't need to be understood.

Only accepted.

I nodded.

The manager grew serious.

"This project is highly confidential. You won't be able to return home or contact your family for the three years you're overseas. Can you truly accept that?"

"Yes, I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."