Then a glimmer of joy appeared in her eyes. “I knew it, Zane. You just couldn’t bear a long–distance relationship.”
She began counting on her fingers, listing out her ideas. “We should get married first, and Zane, take my dad with us too. You know I’m his only daughter”
- up.
Hearing Mia’s words, I couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. She really had a vivid imagination, didn’t she? I had made it clear that we were breaking
“No, I’m going by myself. I seem to have told you several times that we’re breaking up, haven’t I?”
Mia’s expression gradually turned cold, but I continued, “Yesterday, someone happened to be interested in the apartment, and he will make a decision in about a week, so you’d better hurry up and move out.”
Mia was stunned on the spot, while I nonchalantly continued washing my face. By the time I looked up, her eyes were already red.
I ignored her and walked out of the bathroom. When I reached the dining area, I saw breakfast on the table.
Mia came out and, her voice trembling, kissed me gently. “Do we really have to break up? We’ve been together for so many years. Can’t we make a concession?”
Hearing this, I chuckled, “So, you’re saying we should just make do in our relationship? But I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with someone I don’t love. Our breaking up is the best choice. You can be with Lucas now.“”
9:15 AM
Mia unconsciously snea tears and wiped them away naphazardly. Lucas and I are just good friends, you know. He has been my only triena since my childhood.”
I kept a straight face but remained unmoved.
Mia’s voice trembled as she continued, “Zane, can you give me one more chance? I promise I’ll keep my distance from Lucas from now.”
I picked up a piece of bread from the table. “No need.” With that, I turned and walked out the door.
Chapter 9
I currently didn’t have much work to do, just handing over my duties in preparation for my going abroad. Coincidentally, the person sent by the overseas company to assist with the handover was Lily Evans, a junior schoolmate from my university days. She was very enthusiastic about sharing some local customs and habits with me to help me get accustomed to the new environment.
At noon, while I was at my desk video–calling with Lily to hand over work, Mia suddenly stood behind me, her voice trembling yet sharp. “Zane! Are you breaking up with me because of her?”
I instinctively turned my head, and out of habit, I felt a bit flustered like before. Even without Mia around me at work, I always kept my distance from female colleagues to reassure her.
I quickly composed myself and calmly said, “Don’t make assumptions. She’s my junior schoolmate helping with the handover of my work.” I glanced at Mia and noticed the lunch box she was holding.
Upon hearing about the handover of work, Mia became even more agitated. “Are you going abroad because of her? Zane! How could you do this to me?”
I let out a soft, scornful laugh and couldn’t help but find her words ridiculous at that moment. She even faked a marriage license for her good friend Lucas, while I was just handing over work with a female colleague, but she accused me of cheating on her.
“It has nothing to do with Lily.”
I smiled apologetically to Lily and ended the call. When I turned back to Mia, my expression turned cold again. “Don’t project your past actions onto me.”
My colleagues occasionally glanced over at me with curious expressions. But at this point, I had nothing left to hide.
Mia seemed on the verge of a breakdown, throwing the lunch box onto the desk. “How many times have I told you? Lucas and I are just friends! What on earth are you still upset about?”
She seemed to be suppressing her anger, quickly took out her phone, found Lucas‘ number, and deleted it right in front of me. “Happy now? I deleted his number. Can you stop making a fuss?”
I took a deep breath, feeling utterly helpless, and then led Mia out of the company by her hand. Once we reached the bottom of the building, I let go of her hand. But Mia seemed to believe I had cooled down, pouting at me with a look of grievance. I signed helplessly.
Mia asked with a sense of grievance, “Zane, let’s have a barbecue tonight, okay?”
I looked away, hesitating for a moment, and then replied, “We do need to have a proper talk.“”
Mia took me to that restaurant. Unlike before, she was very cautious today. Throughout the meal, Mia grilled the meat, prepared a sauce for me, and handed it to me. “Zane, I remember you like spicy food.”
I looked at the spicy sauce on the table and couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. I actually couldn’t handle spicy food, but since Mia loved it so much, I had always endured it to accommodate her preferences.
I was not as delighted as Mia expected, so she awkwardly pulled her hand back, still forcing a smile as she told me funny things that had happened to her. Naturally, I didn’t respond and instead made myself a new sauce.
As I picked up a piece of meat, Mia’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me. I knew she was waiting for me to serve her meat because I did that every time. I just glanced at her and then started eating the meat. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mia’s expression dim significantly as she looked down in disappointment.
