Chapter 164
The question caught me off guard. My grip on the phone tightened as I glanced at Alina, who was glaring daggers at me. Her presence, combined with Lirian’s sudden shift in demeanor, made the
moment surreal.
“What kind of question is that?” I asked, my frustration seeping into my voice. After all that I do why would you ask this?”
He didn’t respond immediately, and I felt a pang of worry beneath my irritation. Before I could press him, he asked, “When are you coming back?”
“I’ll talk to you when I’m done here,” I said, my voice softening slightly.
“When?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but Alina cut in, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“How rude. Talking on the phone while we’re in the middle of a conversation. Aren’t you supposed to be a professional?”
shot her a withering look. “I’m not sure yet,” I said into the phone, ignoring Alina’s comment.
Lirian’s silence stretched again, and just as I was about to reassure him that I’d return soon, the line went dead. He’d hung up.
Frustrated, I lowered the phone and turned back to Alina.
“If you’re waiting for me to believe your story about the one in power, don’t hold your breath,” I said coolly.
Her cheeks flushed with anger, but she said nothing, storming off with her entourage in tow. The business group, clearly uncomfortable, murmured vague excuses and retreated as well.
Third POV:
At the airport, Lirian sat in the waiting room, his posture rigid. Rain lashed against the tall windows, the distant rumble of thunder punctuating the otherwise hushed atmosphere.
The storm had delayed the last flight of the night, and there was no telling when it would resume.
He stared at the ring in his hand, turning it over slowly. It was a simple design, elegant yet
Chapter 164
unassuming, one he had saved for and had custom–made years ago.
His thoughts were a storm of their own, churning with memories of Sophia. Her sharp tone on the phone earlier replayed in his mind, a stark contrast to the warmth she usually reserved for him
The ring caught the light as he turned it again, the faint gleam drawing his gaze. It was supposed to
The ring caught
symbolize something eternal, something unbreakable. Instead, it now felt like a reminder of everything he might lose.
The Intercom crackled, announcing another delay. Lirian barely noticed. His thoughts remained with Sophia–her laughter, her stubbornness, her unwavering strength..
Meanwhile, another bolt of lightning illuminated the stormy sky…
Lirian stood in the quiet, staring out the window at the gray horizon. His mind was a swirling tempest of thoughts.
He could still remember Sophia’s laughter, the soft curve of her smile when she glanced his way, the way she had once sought him out.
Her sudden warmth toward him had lit a fire in his chest, one he thought would burn forever. He had dared to hope, dared to believe she might feel something for him
But now, that hope seemed like a cruel joke.
The small box in his hand felt heavier than it should. Inside was a necklace he’d given her just weeks ago. It had been tossed back to him, carelessly, as if it meant nothing. As if he meant nothing.
The bitter ache in his chest tightened. “Why did she change so quickly?” he murmured, his voice breaking the silence. “I thought I’d finally reached her… that I’d matter to her.”
The thought of never seeing her smile at him again, of her hand slipping from his grasp forever, made his legs feel weak.
“No.” Lirian straightened, gripping the box tighter. A spark of determination ignited in his sorrow.
He couldn’t just let this happen. He couldn’t stand by and watch her drift aws.
The thought of her moving on without him, of being happy without him, was unbearable.
ineed to see her. I need to know why.
Sophia’s POV:
The sun filtered through the thin curtains of my hotel room, and the cris
morning air greeted me sa
Lopened the windows.
The city’s pleasant weather wrapped around me like a warm, welcoming embrace.
I stretched and took a deep breath, feeling refreshed and energized.
It was a good day, the kind that made you feel like things could only go your way.
Zoe and I had an important meeting scheduled with representatives from a production company.
We arrived at the sleek, modern office building and were ushered into a bright conference room.
The meeting went far smoother than I anticipated.
Unlike the tense encounters with Alina yesterday, these people were professional, enthusiastic, and eager to work with me.
The team laid out their plans, their vision sparkling with creativity and ambition.
They didn’t just pitch; they seemed genuinely interested in my input.
