Chapter 4

"Has Emily ever truly loved me, or did she only reconsider our relationship when Jack returned?"

Emily burst into tears.

In five years, I had Emilyr once made her cry.

"When you wore that dress Jack bought you to the party, when you sat in his passenger seat, when you took his calls and chatted with him, did you spare even a minute to think of me? What am I to you? Just a backup plan or a fool you intended to keep in the dark forever?"

As if exposed, Emily's eyes widened, tears still clinging to her lashes.

"Who are you to judge me? Your dad abandoned you as a kid, your mom passed early, don't you know how many people mock your family background? When I was with you, do you know how much pressure I was under! And in the end, it was your dad who scammed my family's investment! How can your family ever make it up to mine?"

I struggled to contain my fury, my dignity trampled beneath her feet.

"So what? You're determined to break up with me?"

"Alex, I'm grateful for your love these past years. I won't force a separation. I'll wait until you're ready for me to leave. I don't want to hurt you."

Emily approached me, burying her face in my shoulder as she cried again.

I should push her away, but how pathetic—I couldn't bring myself to do it.I cannot lose her.

That night, I fell asleep holding her again.

The overseas project landed successfully, and the company rewarded me with shares. After busying myself for more than half a year, I could finally catch my breath.

I bought flowers and planned to take Emily to her favorite restaurant that evening.

I waited for a long time but didn't see her leave the company.

"Oh, isn't this Chase? Here to pick up Emily again?"

"Yes, is Emily still not finished with work?"

"Emily wasn't here this afternoon. She left after receiving a phone call."

We had just made plans this morning to have dinner together tonight, and she had already forgotten.

I called her: "Emily, where are you? I'm downstairs at your company to pick you up. Your colleague said you're not here."

There was a noticeable pause on the other end. "Alex, I'm discussing something with a friend. Um, I can't have dinner with you tonight."

I knew she was lying, so I opened my social media app.

I searched for Emily's account name. This was her secondary account that she had Emilyr told me about.

I rarely snooped into her recorded life.

I was afraid I'd see something I didn't want to see.

The account had just updated a photo - a sunset in this city, with her silhouette.

The caption read, "I shouldn't hesitate. He is Brother Jack."My heart was dealt another painful blow.

She had deceived me once again.

I didn't know where to go. I wandered alone to University South Street. For the past five years, we often came here for late-night snacks and strolls.