The company organized a team-building trip to Colmar. I discovered my boyfriend was planning to propose to me when everyone gathered to watch the sunset. But that evening, he got down on one knee with a ring—for someone else. “Sherry, I’m willing to be the baby’s father. Marry me!” Sherry, the woman Frederick had been in love with for ten years. I watched the two embrace intimately in the glow of the setting sun. I turned around, booked a trip departing in three days, then went home. A year later, when I returned and we met again, Frederick grabbed me, his eyes bloodshot. “Iris, you’re finally back. Don’t leave me again…” “Your trip will depart from Colmar in three days.” “Miss Iris, have a pleasant journey. Goodbye.” I had just confirmed my flight details with the staff. Behind me, the voice of my assistant rang out. “Iris, we’re heading back.” By then, Frederick had already carefully helped Sherry leave. His proposal to New York’s most famous ex-girlfriend made the headlines. Everyone said he’d loved her secretly for ten years and finally won her heart. But no one knew I had been his girlfriend for six years. That afternoon, when I found the custom engagement ring in Frederick’s pocket… I was overjoyed, thinking he remembered I wanted a sunset proposal. Now I’d been slapped in the face. His love and his ring weren’t meant for me after all. Shortly after the car left town, Frederick called. His tone on the phone was commanding. “I want chicken soup in half an hour.” He hung up without giving me a chance to refuse. I froze for a moment. Then it hit me—chicken soup is often recommended for pregnant women. I opened my phone and scrolled through our chat history. Three months ago, Frederick had started asking for various nutritious soups. At this moment, the realization finally dawned on me. He’d probably decided back then to be someone else’s stepfather. Half an hour later, I arrived at his estate with the chicken soup. His friends from the team-building trip sat in the living room. When they saw me, the lively atmosphere instantly quieted. They’d always seen me, his assistant, as completely devoted to Frederick. Now they all looked at me with half-smiles, waiting to see me make a fool of myself. On the main couch, Frederick held Sherry close affectionately. He took the chicken soup with an indifferent expression. “Perfect timing.” He lifted his chin, gesturing toward several glasses of hard liquor on the table. “Sherry can’t drink. You can handle liquor—drink these for her.” Frederick didn’t spare me a single glance, as if discussing something trivial. But he’d forgotten I was allergic to alcohol. He only remembered Sherry couldn’t drink. As if in his eyes, I was just a tool to take drinks for others. In that instant, I suddenly wanted an explanation for our six years together. I couldn’t control my voice. “Frederick, about the proposal today—don’t you think you owe me an explanation?” As soon as the words left my mouth, everyone’s expressions became awkward. Anyone could see Frederick’s favoritism toward Sherry. Sure enough, Frederick focused on feeding her the chicken soup and said in a deep voice, “Iris, we’ll talk about this later. Don’t ruin the mood.” In that moment, my last shred of hope for him completely died. I’d been his assistant for six years, helping him handle countless situations. But this time, I suddenly felt so exhausted. I swallowed the bitterness in my heart and picked up the glass, draining it in one gulp. “Then I wish you both happiness.” They thought I’d make a scene. They didn’t expect me to be this calm. After all, in the past… Whenever I went up against Sherry, I’d become like a lit firecracker. Frederick seemed used to it too, watching coldly as I became hysterical. Afterward, he’d casually send a gift, and I’d pathetically forgive him again. I couldn’t even remember anymore—since Sherry returned… How many times I’d fought with Frederick because of her. After each argument, I was the one who had to collect myself. Then go to him apologetically to make up. In this relationship, I was destined to lose completely from the start. As I walked out of the estate, Sherry’s coquettish voice came from behind. “Frederick, Iris is upset. Go talk to her.” Frederick just laughed dismissively and gently rubbed her waist. “It’s fine. She listens to me. I’ll talk to her later and it’ll be fine.”
At the hospital, I endured the large red rash on my neck and worked through the pain. When the IV was almost finished, I received an expected call from my brother. The man on the phone chuckled. “Iris, you lost.” Six years ago, when I returned home for a friend’s party, I was in a car accident. Trapped in the car, Frederick risked his life to save me. From then on, I fell for him, hopelessly in love. After graduation, despite my family’s objections, I decided to stay. I was willing to work as his assistant at Frederick’s company, taking care of him. My brother never liked him and didn’t think our relationship would work. But I was obsessed and wouldn’t listen to any advice. So I made a confident bet with my brother. Within seven years, Frederick wouldn’t fall in love with anyone else. If he lost, he’d give me ten percent of his shares. If I lost, I’d listen to him and go home. When Frederick’s proposal made the headlines, it was hard for my brother not to know. My relationship with Frederick ended in the sixth year. I accepted my loss and paused before replying. “Yeah, after my trip in three days, I’ll fly back.” That evening, when I dragged my exhausted body back to the hotel… I found Frederick in my room. The company came to Colmar for team building, and my colleagues and I stayed at a hotel. Frederick, being particular about cleanliness, stayed alone at his own estate. Hearing movement at the entrance… The man didn’t look up and asked coldly, “Where were you?” Taking off my shoes, I casually brushed him off. “Nowhere.” I didn’t elaborate, and Frederick didn’t seem to care. He casually handed me a pink gift box. “Sherry specially picked this for you. See how thoughtful she is.” “About the headlines—arrange for someone to handle it quickly.” “Don’t let it affect her. She can’t handle stress right now.” Opening the gift box, I saw a green preserved flower. If I remembered correctly… Yesterday, Frederick had given her ninety-nine of these flowers in different colors. Sherry had even complained online that the green one was the ugliest. And today, Frederick turned around and gave it to me. I said “Mm” indifferently and set it aside without another word. Frederick sensed my mood wasn’t right and, for once, explained. “Are you upset? Sherry and I really didn’t…” As he approached, the smell of alcohol hit me. Mixed with the scent of Sherry’s favorite jasmine perfume. Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed the bright red marks on his neck beneath his disheveled collar. I pushed him away subtly and pretended to get water. I answered first. “I know. There’s nothing between you two.” I paused and added, “I’m not upset.” Because I’d memorized his answer by heart long ago. Every time he abandoned me for Sherry, this was his explanation. “We’re just friends. If something was going to happen, it would’ve happened already.” But after hearing my words, Frederick somehow exploded again. Impatience colored his expression. His tone turned cold. “So what’s your attitude right now?” “You know there’s nothing going on, but you’re still acting like this?” I felt somewhat helpless. Just because I didn’t go along with him, he thought I was giving him attitude? Taking a deep breath, I was about to speak. His phone rang with Sherry’s special ringtone. Frederick shot me a cold look, turned his back, and answered tenderly. “Frederick, my stomach suddenly feels uncomfortable.” “Can you come check on me and take me to the hospital?” “Okay, wait for me. I’ll be right there!” As he spoke, Frederick’s footsteps had already reached the entrance. As he was about to open the door, he unusually paused to glance at me. “There’s a problem with a partnership. I need to go handle it now.” “Go to sleep. Don’t wait up for me.” Without waiting for my answer, he grabbed his coat and left in a hurry.
I sent my resignation letter to HR’s email. Reminding her to check it after the team building ended in three days when we returned. Before long, I suddenly received a message from Sherry. It was a photo of Frederick’s back as he busily cooked chicken soup in the kitchen. “The baby’s been fussy. As soon as daddy arrived, it calmed down.” “Don’t you think this is the legendary bond?” I ignored Sherry’s provocation and blocked her directly. I looked down and laughed at myself, then started packing my luggage. Early the next morning, everyone had free time. I planned to explore this town I’d always wanted to visit. Walking on picturesque roads… Surrounded by flowers, I felt it was just so-so. I smiled bitterly, feeling somewhat relieved. I didn’t understand why I’d been so obsessed with coming here before. After shopping, I bought a large bouquet and was about to return to the hotel. From a restaurant ahead came the sound of someone playing piano and singing. I lifted my foot to keep walking but was rooted to the spot the next moment. I recognized that voice—it was Frederick. At the end, his tone carried a lazy quality as he finished. “Live with the one you love in a happy town.” Frederick usually wore suits and rarely dressed casually. But today, he was dressed as youthfully as a college student. Looking with deep affection at the woman he’d loved for years. My fingernails dug deeply into my palms. I stared at Frederick without blinking, remembering he hated singing. Once, when I went to a friend’s birthday party with him… At the karaoke, I invited him to sing a duet. He lost his temper on the spot, threw the microphone, and scolded me. “Can you stop being so childish? I hate singing!” Yet now, in front of everyone, he was singing affectionately for Sherry. The atmosphere reached a climax, and warm applause erupted. I clapped along, watching them kiss. My eyes reddened involuntarily as I walked toward the crowd, step by step, with a smile. Seeing me appear, Frederick’s expression instantly changed. “Iris, aren’t you annoying? I go somewhere and you have to follow!” He thought I was stalking him, not hiding his disgust. I smiled. “Didn’t you say there was a problem with the partnership?” I pointed at the lipstick remaining on his mouth. “What’s this? Does your ‘partnership’ involve kissing someone else?” Hearing my sarcasm, Frederick’s brow furrowed tightly. “Iris, can you stop being so unreasonable?!” “Sherry was in a bad mood and wanted to hear a song. Stop making a scene.” Sherry behind him stuck out her tongue and hummed lightly. “Sorry, Iris. Don’t blame Frederick.” “I just gave him a kiss as a reward for singing so beautifully!” At her words, Frederick affectionately patted her head. Then turned to me, his tone softening. “I was planning to find you. I didn’t expect you to come here.” “There’s a fireworks show tonight. I’ll take you to see it later.” His deep black eyes seemed to still hold some affection. Just like before, when he said he’d take me anywhere I wanted to go. I thought about it and decided to fulfill my old wish. The town square was full of people waiting to watch the fireworks. At eight o’clock, fireworks bloomed across the entire sky. In the happy atmosphere, many couples were kissing and cheering. I turned my head but didn’t see Frederick and Sherry. Suddenly, something happened in the crowd. The noisy square instantly descended into chaos. Everyone fled in panic. When I came to my senses, I tried to head somewhere safe. A figure beside me suddenly crashed into me. In the chaos, I was hit in the face by someone’s bag chain. The pain nearly made me lose my footing. I stumbled backward. But I heard that familiar anxious voice in my ear. “Sherry, don’t be scared. I’ll take you back right now.” Frederick didn’t stop, protecting the frightened Sherry as he left. Watching his retreating figure, I clearly realized… The Frederick who said he’d always protect me had changed long ago.
Fortunately, within a few minutes, order was restored in the square. Someone helped me stand up. After thanking them, I covered my bleeding forehead and rushed to the hospital. When I went to pay for medicine… I discovered my card had been suspended by Frederick at some point. And my phone had died. In a foreign country, I fought back the tears. I started asking around to borrow money. Finally, with help from a kind stranger… I successfully bought the medicine. Just as I was about to bandage myself simply… My newly charged phone immediately received a call from Frederick. “Iris, where are you? Why haven’t you been answering?” “Where did you run off to when the incident happened? Are you okay?” I couldn’t tell if his worried tone was genuine. I replied concisely. “I’m fine. My phone just got charged.” Hearing I was okay, the person on the phone was obviously relieved. His tone switched to impatience again. “Then hurry to the airport. Sherry’s not feeling well and needs to go home.” Before I could speak, Sherry’s tearful voice came through. “Frederick, my stomach really hurts. What if something’s wrong with the baby?” “It’s okay. I can wait for Iris…” Sherry was being so understanding that Frederick had completely lost his patience. He yelled at me on the phone. “I’m giving you half an hour to arrange everything and get to the airport!” The call was abruptly disconnected. I rescheduled my flight and dragged my luggage. By the time I reached the airport by taxi, an hour had passed. As Frederick’s assistant, I efficiently handled check-in for him. As I handed the boarding passes to them both… Sherry suddenly clutched her stomach, pretending to be startled. “Ah, Iris, why is your face covered in blood?” After bandaging, I hadn’t had time to wash my face or change clothes. Frederick looked at me with disgust. “Iris, are you crazy? Deliberately scaring Sherry?” The wound throbbed with pain. I was too tired to even speak. I walked straight to the restroom, planning to change clothes. But Sherry suddenly appeared. She gave me a provocative look. “Iris, you’re really persistent.” “You know Frederick proposed to me, but you’re still clinging to him.” Hearing the hostility in her words, I looked up at her. Just as I was about to retort, I saw the bag at her side. I recognized it as the one that had hit me at the square. I grabbed her wrist and demanded. “Your bag? Why did you hit me just now?” Sherry’s eyes darted away. She didn’t answer me. After struggling to shake off my hand, she fell to the ground. The next second, Frederick rushed in after hearing the commotion. Sherry immediately clutched her stomach and cried out in pain. He quickly helped her up, glaring at me furiously. “Iris, how did you become so vicious?!” “If anything happens to Sherry, you’ll pay for it!” He didn’t listen to any explanation and left carrying her. Walking out of the restroom, when I returned to the waiting area… My assistant ran over, looking troubled as she told me… The company colleagues would take the same flight home. But Frederick had specifically canceled only my ticket. I knew this was his warning. If I didn’t behave, he’d leave me here with no money. In the past, I would’ve been the first to apologize. But now, I just coldly watched Frederick from a distance. It wasn’t until the boarding announcement that I walked toward him. “Iris, you stay here and think about what you’ve done!” “Even if you beg me, it’s useless. Sherry hasn’t calmed down yet!” But what Frederick got wasn’t my apology. I interrupted him, saying coldly, “Let’s break up.” At my words, I withdrew my gaze. Behind me, Frederick froze for a moment, then laughed in anger. “Iris, you’d better mean what you say. Don’t come crawling back later!” With that, he turned and left, boarding the flight home. I blocked and deleted all his contact information. Going in the opposite direction, I boarded a flight to another country. I didn’t expect that right after taking my seat, I’d run into someone unexpected.
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