Three Years Later
California, The One Tech Headquarters.
Seated at the head of the conference table, Linda listened quietly as her subordinates reported.
“The game Back To Me, My Lover has shown promising data during the testing phase. I’ve flagged a few areas where player feedback was less positive, and the tech department will address these within three days…”
“Ms. Taylor, should we aim to launch the game before the summer break?”
Linda lightly tapped her fingers on the table, her calm voice carrying an undeniable
authority that reached every corner of the room.
“This game will not launch during the summer.”
As soon as she finished speaking, one of the department managers expressed their surprise.
“Summer break has higher traffic. Does Ms. Taylor have other plans?”
Linda lowered her gaze, her tone soft yet firm as she replied with just two words.
“Autumn.”
At Home.
Rachel was lounging on the sofa, just like she always did.
When she saw Linda walk in, her eyes lit up, and she sprang to her feet, rushing to take
Linda’s bag and coat.
Her expression was eager and ingratiating.
“Ms. Taylor, you’re home! Ms. Taylor, you’ve worked so hard! Ms. Taylor, please, have a
Forsaking the Years of Longing
Chapter 38
seat.”
Linda couldn’t help but laugh at her antics, the corners of her mouth curling into a smile.
“Ah! Ms. Taylor smiled!”
“Oh no, what would I ever do without Ms. Taylor? I’d probably have to live off scraps! Thank goodness Ms. Taylor keeps me fed. I’ll always be at Ms. Taylor’s beck and call. Dinner’s ready–come eat, Ms. Taylor!”
Rachel gestured proudly toward the simple spread of four dishes and a soup, clearly waiting for praise.
Linda exhaled, relaxing her body.
“It’s not you who can’t do without me–it’s me who can’t do without you. Without you, I’d probably starve, unable to even get a hot meal.”
Night.
Linda lay in bed, tossing and turning without the slightest hint of sleep.
She reached for the drawer on her nightstand, taking out a bottle of sleeping pills. She shook two into her palm and swallowed them dry.
Standing by the floor–to–ceiling window, she stared at the stars twinkling in the pitch–black sky. Slowly, she took out her phone.
On the screen was a new icon with small words underneath: Back To Me, My Lover.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she tapped it open.
A single sentence appeared first-
[A world just for us.]
The company’s logo flashed by, followed by an animation of a figure in a trench coat standing on a bridge, reaching out toward her through the screen.
“It’s morning. I’m back.”
