Chapter 7%
“How could I possibly know? I just guessed,” Cyril said, placing the meal box on the table before sitting on the sofa. “Other than me, you’re the man she’s closest to. If there wasn’t something going on between you two, why would she treat you so differently?“%
“Or,” I replied calmly, “couldn’t it just be because of my sister? Serena’s like a second sister to me. How could there possibly be anything romantic between us?“%
The truth was, there shouldn’t have been anything beyond friendship between us to begin with. Clearing things up now would only bring us back to where we started.”
Cyril studied me, unsure whether to believe me. “Really? You really don’t like her?“?
“I don’t.“%
After everything that happened in my previous life, after learning her true feelings, I stopped loving her a long time ago.
“Alright, since you say so, I’ll believe you.” He stood and smiled faintly. “Albion, you’re a good guy–smart, kind, and capable. If it weren’t for Serena, I think we could’ve been great friends.””
When he left, his words lingered in my mind, stirring memories I’d tried to bury.”
In my previous life, he’d sought me out.”
He’d shown me a collection of their memories together–photos, messages, moments that spoke volumes. And he’d told me, “Serena is only with you out of a sense of obligation. She’ll never love you. Break up with her now–it’ll be better for you in the long run.“}
I had dismissed him back then, convinced that Serena loved me. I believed that being with her would bring me the happiness I yearned for.”
But reality had proven me wrong.”
Maybe his words had left a deeper mark than I’d realized because as I drifted off to sleep that afternoon, memories of Serena filled my dreams. Some from the past, some from the present.
By the time I woke up, I was drenched in sweat and feeling sticky.”
After sitting for a moment to regain my composure, I grabbed some fresh clothes and headed to the bathroom to clean up. When I came back, I noticed the faint glow of my phone on the nightstand.”
Picking it up, I saw ten missed calls–all from Serena.”
Even so, I ignored them. No callbacks, no messages. Instead, I opened my messaging app and sent a text to Stephanie.
[Me: Sis, something came up. I need to head back home now. I won’t be going back with you guys.]}
We were supposed to stay here for three days, but I decided to cut my trip short after just one.}
I left early that day and only Stephanie knew about it.”
The five–hour bus ride home felt long, but when I arrived, I barely had time to settle in before my mom called.}
“I heard you’re thinking about dating recently,” she said, getting straight to the point. “There’s this girl I’ve had my eye on for a while. She’s two years younger than you–sweet, pretty, and gentle. You should meet her.”
Ever since I graduated college, my mom had been pestering me about finding someone to date. But every time, I refused.
What she didn’t know was that I’d been with Serena all along.”
But this time, I surprised her. “Sure. Set it up and let me know when.”
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line as if she couldn’t believe how easily I’d agreed. “You agreed so quickly… Did something happen?“%
I chuckled softly. “What could possibly happen? Go ahead and make the arrangements, Mom. I trust your judgment. You’re my mom -you wouldn’t set me up for failure, would you?”
“Of course not! Just wait for my good news,” she said, her voice full of excitement.
After hanging up, I turned my attention to work.”
In my previous life, after getting together with Serena, I gave up a promotion to focus on her. I thought it was the right thing to do for love, but in the end, I gave up everything only to waste my entire life.
But not this time.
This time, I wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of my career.
To avoid distractions, I turned off my phone and threw myself into my work.”
By the time I finished everything, it was already 9 PM.)
