Chapter 4

The Zhao Group didn't mention any plans for an engagement either.

My heart felt as cold as ashes. I opened my phone and deleted the photo we had taken together on the campus field during our college days.

Then I sent her a text message, declaring that we were cutting ties for good.

After that, I packed my bags, left my hometown, and came to this small city of Coastal City, shrouded in sea mist.

I hadn't set foot in my hometown for several years.

It wasn't until today's chance encounter with my aunt that those memories came flooding back like a tidal wave, but I stood there like a rock on the shore, unmoved.

It doesn't mean anything.

My aunt fell silent for a moment, studying my expression, then said with a smile.

"Mike, you're still holding a grudge against Seraphina, aren't you? I heard about what happened. It was just a heated argument between young people. Isn't it time to let it go?"

I smiled faintly.

"I got over it a long time ago."

Seraphina, who used to be inseparable from me, got engaged to Mason in the second year after I left.

And now, I have a wife and a son.

We've long since become strangers.

Seeing my calm demeanor, my aunt nodded and said.

"It's good that you've moved on."

She paused, then added.

"Actually, Seraphina still has feelings for you. On the day she got engaged to Mason, she said herself that if you came back for her, she'd be willing to rekindle your relationship."Renewing Old Ties?

Was it on the day of your engagement to Mason that you said it with your own mouth?

I'm starting to feel sorry for Mason.

"I got married three years ago, and my son is already two years old. You want me to play house with Seraphina, dragging my whole family along?"

"What? You're married?"

My cousin's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief.

Aunt also looked as if she'd been struck by lightning, hesitating before she spoke.

"I thought you could never get over Seraphina, how..."

The news came so suddenly that both of them stood there, speechless for a long moment.

I said calmly.

"Come with me, I'll introduce you to Melody."

Melody is my son.

When we got home, he was flying a kite in the open space downstairs.

Seeing Aunt and my cousin, he tilted his head and asked.

"Are you here to see Mom?"

I shook my head.

"No, Melody, this is your great-aunt and your cousin."

"Hello, Great-aunt. Hello, Cousin."

Melody chirped brightly. Aunt was taken aback.

"Is this... really your son?"

Both of them looked bewildered, only believing my words when they saw him with their own eyes.

I smiled, patted Melody's head, and went inside to retrieve an old wooden box from the depths of the cabinet, handing it to my cousin."Please hand this back to Seraphina."

My cousin asked curiously, "What's inside?"

I replied in a flat tone, "Just some old stuff."

When I left my hometown, I angrily deleted our photos together, but I couldn't bring myself to throw away some of the little trinkets she had given me.

Inside the box was a bronze badge we had picked out together during our college years.

Seraphina had given it to me on her nineteenth birthday, saying it was to celebrate our two-year anniversary of knowing each other.

Now, time has moved on.

She has her path, and I have my family.

This badge should be returned to its original owner.

I maintained a neutral expression. My cousin, feeling awkward, didn't press further and only said,

"Do you want to tell Seraphina about your marriage too?"

I paused for a moment, then said nonchalantly,

"It doesn't matter if she knows or not."

Anyway, when she sees what's in the box, she should understand my stance.

There will be no more ties between us from now on.

My aunt sighed, her face full of regret, as if watching a good match sink to the bottom of the sea.

She couldn't help but ask, "Mike, can you really let it go?"

After so many years of feelings, can you really just end it like that?

I nodded.

"I'm content."

At first, it might have been out of spite towards Seraphina.

But later, getting married was a choice I made willingly.Aunt was left speechless and departed with her cousin, taking the box with them.

Two weeks later, news finally reached them through the grapevine.

Her cousin shared on WhatsApp that she had handed the box over to Seraphina.