Chapter 1

The cold war with Serenity had entered its second month when she ostentatiously announced her engagement to someone else.

Our mutual friends all expected me to lose control and fly into a rage, as I had done in the past.

However, not only did I not do that, but I also sincerely offered my congratulations.

As I was preparing to leave, Serenity blocked my path: "Being so magnanimous today?"

I calmly met her gaze: "Just as you had hoped."

"Dashiell, this game of playing hard to get doesn't suit you. Be careful you don't end up hurting yourself."

Hearing her say this, I left without looking back.

A few weeks later, in the dead of night, Serenity called to make amends after drinking too much,

"It was all just an act with him, it's been over for a while now. Can you come back?"

At that moment, the woman beside me reached over and took my phone,

"I'm sorry, but he's my man now. He needs to be responsible for me."

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1

On the day I was heading to Serenity's place, I carefully selected a wristwatch with a star-trail design.

As I arrived at the base of the apartment building, a conversation drifting from a window made me pause.

"I'm getting engaged."

My heart skipped a beat, an unexpected flicker of hope spreading through my chest.

A chorus of congratulations immediately erupted from inside.

"It's about time you made it official!"

"After ten years together, it's high time for a resolution. I'll definitely be your officiant at the wedding."

"Dashiell's such a catch. If you don't lock him down soon, someone else will snatch him up."

Serenity's tone suddenly cooled: "You've got it wrong. I'm not talking about Dashiell."

"My fiancé is still working on his master's degree. He's pure and sunny, upright and honest, just a bit introverted."

"Watch what you say from now on. Don't make him uncomfortable."

The room fell into an abrupt silence.

I leaned against the wall, feeling as if an invisible weight was pressing on my chest.

The words "pure and sunny, upright and honest" echoed in my mind, like an invisible blade peeling away my defenses layer by layer.

It was heart-wrenching.

After a moment, I lifted my head.

Through the half-open window, I saw the young man standing beside her.

Indeed, as she had said, he was fresh-faced and innocent, like a new sprout in early spring, untouched by the harsh realities of life.No wonder she introduced him to her family during the Christmas break.

When I first heard the news, I was still trying to comfort myself.

Now, even my last illusion has been shattered.

Looking down at the exquisite watch in my hand, I gave a bitter smile.

No matter how beautiful the time was, it no longer had anything to do with me.

The silence in the room continued.

After lingering outside the door for a long time, I finally stepped in.

"I heard you're about to walk down the aisle. Congratulations."

"I specially chose this watch as a gift. Consider it my wedding present, wishing you both..."

I looked straight into Serenity's eyes and finished in a steady voice:

"A lifetime together and a happy family."

With that, I handed the watch to her and turned towards what used to be our shared bedroom.

Ten years of love, this apartment was scattered with traces of my life.

I never thought much of it before.

Now, leaving them behind seemed out of place.

Besides necessities, many of my suits and casual wear still hung in the closet.

Most of them were personally picked out by Serenity.

I didn't take any of them with me.

The only things I took were two tickets to the Digital Technology Summit from the desk.

I had gone to great lengths to book them, but she was never interested.

I had already planned to give up attending.

Now, it seems, it might be a new beginning.As the door closed behind me, I pulled my suitcase across the empty living room.

Only Serenity and that young man remained.

His eyes filled with confusion as he looked at me.

Serenity led him to the study, then intercepted me alone.

"You're being surprisingly generous today. Not going to put up a fight?"

I gazed at her calmly, the corners of my mouth turning up slightly.

"Since you've made your stance clear, wouldn't I just be embarrassing myself if I persisted?"

"Serenity, you've made your choice. I respect your decision."

Hearing this, she laughed scornfully. "What's this? Learned to play hard to get, have we?"

I stared at her expressionlessly, feeling unusually calm inside.

"Serenity, you should know me by now. I'd rather break than bend."

With that, I walked straight for the exit.

"Dashiell, this whole 'take a step back and the sky opens up' strategy doesn't suit you. Be careful you don't end up with nothing but an empty basket."

Her words dripped with mockery, as if I were just a naive child who didn't understand the ways of the world.

"Aren't you worried I'll actually marry him?"

"Then I can only wish you happiness."

I didn't break my stride.

Serenity made no further attempt to stop me.

Shortly after leaving her place, my phone buzzed.

[Don't overplay your hand. It'll be embarrassing if you can't follow through.]