In the blink of an eye, three years had passed. During this time, I worked my way up from a manager at the Global Headquarters to the president of the North American Division, a journey that only I knew the efforts behind.
For three years, I didn’t date anyone, not because I hadn’t moved on from Liam, but because I had plenty of suitors, including the blue-eyed American hunk who picked me up when I first arrived in New York City.
He had confessed his feelings to me, and I made it clear, “Hookups are fine, but not a relationship.”
The next second, he pulled me into a kiss. I have to admit, his skills were impressive, so I kept him around, even bringing him to American when I returned.
These three years were about making myself stronger and realizing that a woman’s greatest strength lies within herself. When you shine in your field, men and wealth will naturally come to you.
What I didn’t expect was that the first person I would see upon returning to American would be Liam Johnson.
He must have learned about my return and waited for me at the arrivals gate, waving excitedly as he spotted me. “Mianmian, over here!”
Compared to three years ago, Liam looked much older now. His tear troughs were deep, his face had wrinkles, and I could even see white hairs from a distance.
In contrast to his excitement, I remained calm. The one who made a mistake wasn’t me, so I had nothing to hide.
I approached him and asked, “What is it?”
Caught off guard by my indifference, Liam looked at me pleadingly, “Mianmian, I’ve thought a lot these past three years. I know I was wrong. Can you forgive me?”
I nodded, “I accept your apology. Anything else?”
“Can you come back to me?”
He tried to hold my hand, but I avoided him.
I warned him sternly, “Liam Johnson, we’re divorced. Respect yourself!”
His eyes reddened as he shook his head, “But I never agreed to it. You tricked me into signing that divorce agreement!”
I scoffed, “So what? The fact is, we’re divorced. You can’t change that. If there’s nothing else, let me through, or I’ll report you for harassment.”
Liam looked defeated. He opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words.
I dragged my luggage past him as the French pup behind me asked in French, “Sister, who is he?”
I smiled, replying, “An idiot.”
I’ll admit, I can be petty in some ways. Over the years, I’ve heard bits of news about Liam from our mutual friends.
After I left, he went a little crazy for a while, desperately searching for any trace of me and getting blackout drunk night after night, acting like he was so heartbroken.
Later, when he learned I was in New York City, he even bought a ticket to fly there, staying for a month in hopes of running into me.
During that month, Emma realized she couldn’t keep Liam’s heart, so she started cooking the books, transferring funds from Liam’s accounts. Within a month, she had moved $80 million before getting a green card and immigrating to the U.S., never to be caught.
Liam’s company then went bankrupt and had to declare bankruptcy.
So I knew clearly that his apology wasn’t because he realized his mistake but because I was his best option left.
After settling in, I visited Mama at the orphanage again. Compared to three years ago, she looked more weary, hunched over as she basked in the sun, her face more wrinkled – a testament to the passage of time.
She was delighted to see me and greeted me, immediately asking, “Mianmian, how have you been these years? Living alone in a foreign country for so long, you must have suffered greatly.”
I smiled and shook my head, “Not at all. Look, my career is doing well.”
But Mama just patted my head like she used to, “Silly child, how could it not have been difficult, spending all those years struggling alone in a foreign land?”
“I know what happened between you and Liam. He was in the wrong.”
I didn’t respond, afraid she would encourage me to get back together with him.
