Chapter 3
Emily rode the elevator alone to the 17th floor and found the private
room.
Just as she reached for the door, she glimpsed Harold through the crack handing Sophia a bouquet of lily–of–the–valley and an exquisite box.
People inside started teasing.
“Harold, lily–of–the–valley is out of season now. How’d you get it?”
“Come on, you know Harold would fetch stars from the sky or the moon from the sea if Sophia wanted it.”
“Seriously though, Harold–if you’re still in love with Sophia, why’d you marry that woman just now?”
Through what these people said, Emily learned about Sophia and Harold’s past.
They had started dating in high school and remained the envy of their peers all through college.
But the year they graduated, Sophia decided to pursue advanced studies in the UK while Harold chose to stay for his doctoral degree. Due to their diverging paths, Sophia unilaterally ended their relationship.
“We all know you came to Edinburgh for medical research because of Sophia. Since her studying abroad with the professor was just a misunderstanding, and you both still care for each other, why not take this chance to reconcile?”
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“Exactly, that abusive ex–husband of Sophia’s is already behind bars thanks to you. Nothing stands between you two now.”
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Later, after Harold completed his doctoral studies, he actually went to England to find Sophia, only to learn she had married someone else. This fairy–tale romance came to an abrupt end.
After returning home, Harold became the youngest full professor thanks to his extraordinary talent. A year later, he met Emily.
Emily pushed open the door to the private room. The large round table inside was laden with an array of dishes that were a feast for the eyes and nose, yet she had no appetite.
After a ten–hour flight and a four–hour taxi ride, compounded by a heavy downpour, she was utterly exhausted.
At the table, everyone naturally overlooked her.
Emily listened as they chatted from their college antics to their current work at the institute. Inevitably, the conversation touched upon Harold and Sophia.
Though they only touched on it briefly, Emily could still sense how passionate and intense their relationship had been. As someone completely uninvolved from start to finish, she felt like an outsider looking in.
Finally, the dinner ended, and Emily followed Harold back to his place in England. It was a studio apartment allocated by the research institute- bright, spotless, and impeccably tidy everywhere.
The only thing that clashed with Harold’s reserved and low–key personality was the colorful dreamcatcher hanging by the entrance.
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Just then, Harold handed Emily a new pair of slippers.
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But her eyes caught another pair nearby–unworn but clearly used, women’s slippers. The pattern on them matched Harold’s men’s slippers perfectly–a matching set.
I’ve ordered new toiletries online, they’ll arrive soon. Have a seat.”
Then Harold added thoughtfully, “You barely ate anything earlier, I’ll make you some noodles.”
His behavior toward Emily was always polite but distant. Even more than with his research institute colleagues.
Watching Harold bustle in the kitchen, Emily drifted to the entryway and ‘took down the dreamcatcher.
Two tiny embroidered lines graced its back: “May Harold have sweet dreams every night – from Sophia.”
Emily rehung the dreamcatcher with unchanged expression.
She couldn’t define this feeling. Though resolved to let Harold go, seeing these things still brought an uncontrollable pang of sadness. After all, she had loved him for six years.
Exhausted from her long journey, she sank onto the living room sofa. Suddenly, Harold’s phone glowed nearby.
From her proximity, she instantly recognized the contact name flashing
on screen:
Sophia.
Throughout their five–year marriage, Emily had never touched Harold’s phone. Today, she couldn’t resist picking it up.
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The message from Sophia read:
H
“If you’d come for me sooner back then, would I be the one sitting beside you now?”
Emily watched the message vanish, revealing Harold’s lock screen photo
beneath-
That was actually Sophia’s back view with a ponytail and graduation.
gown.
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