The announcement rang out, and she received a text from Xavier.

[I’m returning home tomorrow. Let’s have a real talk.]

Perhaps it was a gesture of reconciliation, or perhaps just another argument.

But Jolene no longer cared.

She sent an email to Xavier’s work address.

In the email were the results of her investigation over the past few days—the true, ugly face of Chloe.

Then she took out her SIM card, snapped it in two, and tossed it into the trash can.

Xavier, this is where we end.

May we never meet again.

Chapter 2

After sending the message to Jolene, Xavier leaned back on the sofa, rubbing his temples and letting out a long, weary sigh.

The next second, a pair of soft, delicate hands covered his fingers as if by accident, stroking them with flirtatious intent. "Director, do you have a headache? Let me massage it for you."

"Mhm."

The girl carried a light fragrance that Xavier liked—it was somewhat similar to the scent Jolene wore, allowing his tense nerves to relax slightly.

Although he had spent the last few days accompanying Chloe to clear her head, the image of Jolene’s frail figure lying on the hospital bed kept drifting into his mind unbidden, filling him with concern.

Xavier didn't want a cold war with Jolene, especially since her recent return was the moment he had anticipated most over the past three years. In his past imaginings, they should have been cherishing their time together with tenderness.

But Jolene was too insecure. He didn't understand why she was so fixated on Chloe’s existence when he had explicitly told her that he loved her. Wasn't that enough?

Thinking of this, Xavier grew restless again, the frown between his brows deepening.

"Director, did Sister Jolene apologize to you yet?"

While Chloe’s hands massaged his forehead, they began to wander downward restlessly. "I'm not the important one here, but what she did was just too much—actually burning something so significant... You spoil her far too much."

"If you ask me, you should give her the cold shoulder for a while. Let her know that you aren't someone she can just manipulate at will!"

Xavier kept his eyes downcast, his gaze fixed on the screen as he waited for Jolene’s reply.

He had originally shared Chloe’s sentiment, which was why he had left Jolene alone at the hospital out of spite.

But during this time, he couldn't help but remember his past with Jolene.

Before Jolene went abroad, they often used their weekends to travel to unfamiliar cities. They would embrace and kiss on street corners where no one knew them, camp and hike on the prairies, and explore interesting nooks and delicious foods together. Being with her made everything feel fresh, no matter what they did.

The more he reminisced, the more his heart softened.

A ten-year relationship couldn't be without conflicts, but they had always resolved them quickly. This time, however, the fallout had lasted quite a while. He had expected Jolene to lose her cool and apologize first, but she remained as stubborn as ever.

...Yet, wasn't her unique personality exactly what he loved about her?

Therefore, he offered Jolene an olive branch once again, hoping to resolve their conflict completely this time.

"Director..."

By the time Xavier snapped out of his thoughts, Chloe had somehow unbuttoned his collar, revealing his lean, powerful chest.

Chloe leaned in and whispered into his ear, her voice trembling slightly with feigned shyness. "Director, I’ve had so much fun these past few days with you. It feels like I’m living in a dream."

"I know I don't have the right to your true love... but could you give me something to remember you by? I don't want this trip to end with regrets."

Seeing Xavier dazed, Chloe leaned further forward, her curvaceous body pressing against his stiff back. "Director, don't worry, I won't tell a soul..."

"I just saw that you were in low spirits and wanted to make you happy on Sister Jolene's behalf."

"Director, please... just this once?"

The girl’s soft whimpers tickled his ear like a feather. Xavier’s eyes darkened as he pulled Chloe onto his lap.

However, as his hand moved toward Chloe’s collar, he stopped.

Jolene was still at home waiting for him.

Once that thought surfaced, it took root and grew in Xavier’s mind. He couldn't betray Jolene.

The lingering spark of lust vanished instantly. Xavier draped his coat over Chloe’s revealing outfit. Meeting the girl’s suddenly pale face, he spoke in a deep voice: "Chloe, I'm sorry."

"Jolene is my fiancée. Despite the mistakes she’s made recently, I believe it was just a temporary lapse. I’ll find time to have a proper talk with her when we get back tomorrow."

"Once the misunderstanding is cleared, I am going to marry her." Xavier had never changed his mind about this.

As he spoke those words, the scene he had envisioned countless times appeared once more. Jolene in a breathtaking wedding dress, layers of sacred lace making her look exquisitely beautiful. She would take his arm, her eyes filled with absolute love and trust. And he, before all the guests, would announce that he would walk the rest of his life with her...

This would likely be the second most blissful moment of his life. The first was when Jolene accepted his confession.

Faced with an unexpected rejection, the smile on Chloe’s face finally crumbled.

Her eyes turned red instantly as she lunged to kiss Xavier, rubbing against him frantically while begging through sobs: "Director, I’ve liked you for so long..."

"It doesn't matter if you marry Sister Jolene. I love you. I’m willing to be your secret lover. As long as you like me even a little, that's enough..."

"Chloe." Xavier’s voice turned heavy. He was rarely this stern with her. "I have never had such a thought."

"To Jolene, and to marriage, I must remain loyal."

He admitted he had a certain fondness for Chloe. But it was limited to that.

"Why?"

Chloe couldn't understand. Xavier clearly had desire for her, so why was he thinking about Jolene at such a suggestive moment?!

"But Director, Sister Jolene doesn't deserve your love!"

"The culture abroad is so loose. How do you know she hasn't slept with other men? She might have been tainted long ago. Besides, she’s petty and malicious. She’s been so cruel to me—she even tried to kill me several times. If it weren't for my good luck..."

"Chloe." Xavier’s voice grew cold. "Jolene is not for you to judge."

He would not tolerate anyone speaking ill of Jolene in his presence.

He vaguely remembered when Jolene first went abroad, a friend had made a malicious assumption about her. Xavier had smashed a wine bottle over the man’s head on the spot, sending him scurrying away in terror.

Xavier pushed Chloe aside and stood up decisively. His tone was grim. "Jolene is the most indispensable person in my life. She was uncomfortable with your presence, and I lied to her in a moment of confusion."

"Since you harbor such resentment toward her, it seems there is no need for you to stay at my hospital. Once your internship ends next week, I will arrange for you to continue your studies at another hospital."

"It's late. Go to sleep."

With that, he didn't look back at Chloe’s trembling, haggard expression and turned resolutely into his room.

Before sleeping, he still hadn't received a reply from Jolene, but he didn't think much of it, assuming she was still throwing a tantrum. After some thought, he composed another message and sent it.

[Landing tomorrow at 6 PM. See you at the airport.]

He wanted Jolene to pick him up. He suddenly missed her terribly and couldn't wait to see her.

His anticipation lasted until the plane touched down. After waiting at the airport for two hours without seeing the person he longed for, the atmosphere around him became stormy.

As the clock ticked forward another hour, he gripped his phone until his veins bulged and dialed Jolene’s number directly.

Xavier had imagined Jolene might answer or perhaps hang up, but he never expected to hear the automated message indicating he had been blocked.

The phone nearly slipped from his hand to the floor. But alongside his rage, an undeniable sense of fear and panic surged. Jolene was not an impulsive person; she would never delete his contact information on a whim.

Unless...

She had truly made up her mind to sever their relationship!

Xavier couldn't sit still any longer. He got into a luxury car, constantly urging the driver to go faster.

Burning with anxiety on the road, he eventually shoved the driver out and sped through ten red lights. The tires screeched against the pavement. He didn't even bother to close the car door as he ignored all decorum and sprinted into the house.

Opening the door, he felt as if struck by a lightning bolt; his legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed.