After the Love Fades, I Love You In the Fog

I thought for a moment and could only comfort myself with one phrase, "Maybe it's just not enough love."

I took a half-day off from work, planning to pack some things to send out.

Yet, not ten minutes later, I received a call asking me to come back.

"Emma, come back! We have a big client today, and Ethan is also taking leave. The company can't be without any management."

Reluctantly, I took a taxi back.

When I arrived, Ethan was already deep in conversation with the client.

Sophie was nearby, refilling water, occasionally exchanging flirtatious glances with him—there was an almost palpable chemistry between them.

My colleague Jane, who was closer to me, pulled me aside and expressed her outrage.

"Emma, how can Ethan do this? Isn't he just slapping you in the face?"

"Look at how brazen they are; it's disgusting to watch them flirt like that!"

I shook my head at Jane, urging her to stop speaking for fear of being overheard and causing her trouble.

But it was too late; Sophie emerged from the office, dropping the kettle she was holding and shattering it on the floor.

"I'm so sorry, Emma! I didn't mean for you to misunderstand; Ethan and I really don't have anything going on," she sobbed, covering her mouth as if she couldn't bear the weight of the accusation.

"He just sees me as a friend. I never thought you would think that..."

Ethan, hearing the commotion, rushed out to see what was happening.

His anger flared instantly upon seeing Sophie in tears, "Emma, what did you just say?"

Unfortunately, he didn't give me a chance to explain before rushing after Sophie as she ran away crying, completely disregarding the client waiting in the meeting room.

I was left standing there awkwardly with the client.

In the end, I had no choice but to push through the meeting.

Thankfully, it was an old client we knew well; a little drama wouldn't ruin our deal.

I managed to finalize everything by eleven o'clock that night and returned home well past midnight.

As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by chaos in the living room—designer packaging scattered everywhere.

There were clothes and jewelry among the mess.

Ethan lounged on the sofa with a peaceful-looking young woman resting on his lap.

Upon seeing me return, he shot me a warning glance and whispered harshly, "Keep it down; I finally got Sophie to sleep."

"I heard you closed the deal today. There's a little gift on the table for you as a reward," he added casually.

It was a bottle of mid-range perfume—pathetically cheap compared to all the luxury items surrounding us.

I didn't bother reaching for it and shook my head at him. "No thanks; this tomboy doesn't need that kind of thing."

With that, I headed straight to the guest room.

It wasn't that I couldn't appreciate such things; no girl would dislike them entirely.

But when Ethan's company stabilized, I had once bought myself a bottle of perfume.

The first time I wore it, he criticized me, "Even if my company is doing well now, you can't just splurge like this! It's easier to fall into luxury than to return from it; we mustn't forget our struggles."

Since then, I hadn't purchased any luxury items again.

The few things I owned were gifts from him during his free time—none of which added up to what he had brought home today.

Ethan lingered at the guest room door for a while as if he wanted to say something more but ultimately held his tongue out of consideration for the sleeping girl in his lap.