Chapter 2

I gently stroked her hair and held her tighter.

Just like that, we walked through five years together, with occasional conflicts, but also filled with sweetness.

Until half a year ago, I found an unopened dress in the closet. Inside the bag was an envelope with a note that read: "If you're willing to consider, accompany me to a gala this weekend. Jack"

Emily was visibly happy those days. I thought she had already made her choice on some level.

She said she had plans with an old friend she hadn't seen in a long time and was looking forward to it.

"Alex, you know what? Back in school, my biggest wish was to always be able to study with her."

"Do I know her?"

Her eyes flickered evasively as she joked, "It's an old friend, how would you know them!"

That night, she went to the gala in full makeup, wearing that dress.

From the balcony, I saw Jack's car parked downstairs.

They stood facing each other. Jack tried to hug her, but Emily dodged.

Yet when she came back, there was a red mark on her shoulder. Men always like to leave marks to claim their territory.

But it's okay. Her dodge earlier gave me some reasons to make excuses for her.

If she doesn't bring it up, I won't expose it.

Only, I no longer touch her.For that period of time, I threw myself into work like a madman, hoping to finish the project on my hands and take a step forward as soon as possible.

Who would have guessed that Jack would come knocking first.

"Alex, I'm back this time to start over with Emily on a lot of things."

"Oh really? Like what?"

"I've already bought a mansion in Beverly Hills. What about you?"

Jack asked me very calmly.

"I love her!"

"You think love is enough?"

"You must know why she was with you back then. Now that her dad's investments have failed, can you help her family?"

I stood there dumbfounded. Emily hadn't told me.

"I have a project in the works. Once it's done, everything will be different."

Jack crossed his arms and burst out laughing.

"Alex, you're still so naive. You're missing a set of data, aren't you? Too bad, Aunt Carlisle already gave it to me."

The Aunt Carlisle he mentioned was my graduate advisor.

I had been experimenting with this dataset for months, working day and night. I Emilyr imagined Professor Smith would just hand over the results to him like that.

"Everyone knows who can give her happiness, including Emily herself."I didn't have a way out. I always thought that during these five years, she had fallen in love with me.

"Until Emily brings up breaking up, you have no right to judge our relationship. Have you forgotten how you treated her back then?"

"Alex, keep lying to yourself."

Jack didn't say another word, but instead let out a soft snort and turned to leave.

At that time, I thought Emily was about to suggest breaking up, but she didn't.