When my former fiancé broke off our engagement, he told me:
"If you had shown even the slightest hesitation, I would have never ended it."
"You've grown up before my eyes, yet you never saw me as an older brother. In your eyes, I'm just someone who only sees the benefits."
"Adele, profit matters, but emotions aren't as worthless as you think... They are like the two sides of a scale, influencing our choices. Do you understand?"
That was the last chance he gave me.
It was his unique sense of compassion, after he had taken everything from my father's company, knowing how closely we grew up together.
If I had begged him, I could still marry him and live a life of luxury. I refused.
At that time, he said:
"Humans are emotional creatures, Adele, living like this is exhausting." I didn't believe his feelings for me.
Just like how I didn't believe Fitzroy's love for me now.
I didn't believe that two people could be connected purely by emotions—without any benefit, without any reason—just raw instinct and chemistry.
---
The next morning, I woke up, feeling the ache in my back. I glanced at the nightstand, where I saw the black card and a note with familiar handwriting.
Fitzroy had said he had matters to attend to and left for home first. The black card was for me to use, with the password being my birthday. I froze for a moment before realizing what it meant.
Going home?
He left?
I silently rubbed my aching back, packed my things, and bought a ticket back home. Traveling was just an escape from my daily life.
But eventually, I had to return to the mundane.
After a couple of days of rest, I started sending out my resume again, looking for work.
I had a good education and an impressive resume, so even in a poor market, I had plenty of opportunities.
After my interview, as I walked out of the company building, distracted by thoughts of lunch, I suddenly saw a familiar face.
My former fiancé. Jonathan Blackwood.
Standing next to him was Fitzroy.
Both were dressed like elite businessmen, deep in conversation. A pretty girl stood beside Jonathan, her eyes filled with longing as she kept glancing at him.
I calmly looked at them for a few seconds, then turned my gaze away.
The girl's light red suit made me think I should have steak for lunch. Just as I was about to turn and leave, I suddenly heard Jonathan's voice:
"Adele?"
He walked toward me, "What a coincidence. How about we grab lunch and catch up?"
The moment I heard that, I knew. He definitely knew about me and Fitzroy. After all, Jonathan Blackwood, always busy, never wasted time on people who weren't important.
---
Looking past him, I saw Fitzroy's face, more unreadable than I had ever seen. He slammed the file he hadn't finished reading shut, and walked over to me.
"Reconnecting can be a good thing."
He smiled coldly, "How about we join in?"
I took a step back.
I didn't think being stared at by so many people in the company lobby was a good idea. I tugged at Fitzroy's sleeve:
"You got rid of him? Then let's go eat together."
"And don't go crazy like that, we're not even close."
Since we were standing side by side, I hadn't noticed Fitzroy's reaction.
But Jonathan, standing across from us, lost the smile that had been carefully hiding his emotions the moment I pulled Fitzroy's sleeve.
I didn't pay much attention.
Fitzroy, however, seemed to be deep in thought.
