Chapter 2

I was halfway through the on boarding paperwork when Wesley's video call came in.

My professor glanced at my phone.

"Need to take it?"

I shook my head.

"No."

The screen lit and dimmed, dimmed and lit.

The assistant slid the contract in front of me.

"Ms. Fannie, this brand collaboration requires your real name as the signatory. All partner organizations will also publish it publicly. Is that all right?"

My fingertip paused.

The partner was a jewelry brand under the Costa family's umbrella.

Three months ago, I'd been the one to broker this project for Wesley.

Back then he'd said:

"Once this collab is a success, we'll get married."

I'd thought it was a promise.

Looking back now, it was just a piece of candy he'd tossed me.

I signed my name.

"Fine."

The moment I set down the pen, a message from Wesley popped up.

"Answer the phone."

I didn't respond.

A second later, a friend request from Jessica appeared.

The note was a single line:

"Hey sis, Wesley's going crazy looking for you. Don't make him worry."

I stared at the word "worry" and tapped Accept.

She responded quickly with a photo.

In it, Wesley sat in a hospital corridor, holding a payment receipt. Jessica's hand rested on his sleeve, her nails painted a pale pink.

"Don't get the wrong idea, sis. It's just a follow-up appointment."

"My body took a hit back then, you know. Wesley's always felt pretty guilty about it."

I didn't reply.

She sent another message.

"I drank too much last night and said things I shouldn't have. If it bothers you, I can apologize."

Then she recalled a message.

But I still saw it.

"Though he really was so worried about me back then. He signed the surgery consent forms himself."

I set my phone face-down on the desk.

My professor asked.

"Feeling okay?"

I said.

"I'm fine."

He studied me for a few seconds, then handed me a design brief.

"This is the theme the domestic team proposed. It's called Old Love Reunited. See if it's something you can work with."

The moment I flipped the page open, I saw the note in the bottom right corner.

Primary visual reference: Jessica.

I stared at those three syllables and suddenly felt like laughing.

Wesley really knew how to arrange things.

I do the design work. He makes Jessica the muse.

That evening, back at the apartment, I'd barely unzipped my suitcase when the doorbell rang.

A courier handed me an international express package.

Sender: Wesley.

Inside was a white cashmere scarf.

And a note.

"It's cold in Paris. Don't catch a cold. Come back when you've cooled off."

The scarf was new.

Tags still on.

But the scent was familiar.

It was the perfume Jessica had been wearing last night.

I opened social media.

Jessica had posted a photo half an hour ago.

"Someone bought two scarves—said one's for me, one's to make peace."

People were teasing her in the comments.

"Classic Wesley."

Jessica replied:

"Oh stop. He said I'm fragile, so he let me pick first."

I put the scarf back in the box.

Wesley's call came again.

This time I answered.

His voice had softened a bit.

"Get the package?"

"I did."

"Like it?"

I looked at the trash can.

"Jessica's reject?"

A beat of silence on the other end.

"Fannie, do you have to talk like that?"

"How else should I talk?"

He was working hard not to sound angry.

"I sent you something because I'm trying to make it up to you. Not so you can pick it apart."

"Wesley, you know I'm allergic to wool."

He seemed to choke on that.

A few seconds passed before he said:

"I forgot."

Forgot.

Such a light word.

Three years hadn't been enough for him to remember.

I set the delivery box by the door.

"Next time, just don't bother sending anything."

"Fannie."

His voice went cold.

"The collab meeting is online next week. I suggest you sort out your emotions. Business is business—don't bring personal issues into it."

I looked down at the signature on the contract.

"Don't worry."

I hung up and took the ring box out of my bag.

Under the lamp, the ring sat there quietly, as though mocking me for being a joke.

I locked it in the drawer.

As the key turned, my phone buzzed.

The jewelry brand's official account had posted a new update.

"The Old Love Reunited collection is launching soon. Special inspiration guest: Jessica."