Missed and Regret

I didn't respond.

No matter how much was said, it would only lead us down the path of pointless arguments.

After placing the divorce agreement in the study, I returned to the bedroom and began to occupy myself with tasks.

Not even ten minutes later, the roar of an engine could be heard outside.

After Shawn left, I started contacting rental agencies to inquire about options.

Two weeks passed quickly.

Shawn no longer stayed out all night but instead came home promptly after work. He packed various dishes I loved, knowing I was too lazy to cook.

He even offered to pick me up and drop me off at work.

I didn't refuse his offer.

However, every time we approached the corner near the office building, I would speak up and ask him to stop the car.

He asked me why.

I looked at him strangely and said, "Don't you not want others to find out about our relationship?"

Shawn was rendered speechless.

Neither of us mentioned divorce again.

The divorce agreement remained on Shawn's desk.

He acted as if nothing had happened. Though I didn't point it out, I wasn't simply waiting passively.

I went back to my parent's house once and talked to them about it.

"Janet! You finally agreed to go out with us for a team-building event. Come sit down. This barbecue place is really good."

The restaurant was conveniently located near the company.

So when I saw Shawn there, I wasn't surprised.

I just didn't expect Emily to be there too.

"Janet, what brings you here?" Shawn asked.

He walked over happily.

But when he got too close, I instinctively stepped back.

Shawn stiffened for a moment and looked disappointed.

"Janet, come play Truth or Dare with us," Emily said, taking my hand and leading me to the dining table.

I noticed the deep blue pendant hanging deliberately on Emily's neck.

It was the one I had fetched from a church last year when Shawn's career was in a downturn.

I had asked Shawn why he wasn't wearing it.

But he had suddenly lost his temper.

"Can't I keep it in my wallet? Janet, must I report everything I do to you? Who do you think you are? I warn you, stop pestering me," he snapped, pointing at my nose.

After we sat down, Shawn poured me a glass of coke.

Seeing that I didn't drink it, he rubbed his knee with his palm and asked awkwardly, "Janet, don't you like cola the most?"

I didn't answer him. Instead, I called the waiter over and ordered a glass of iced coconut juice.

I do like cola, but I didn't want to drink the one he gave me.

When someone praised Emily's pendant as beautiful, Shawn instantly turned pale.

He whispered to me, "Emily has been having bad luck recently. I just lent it to her to wear. Don't think too much about it."

In between grilling the meat, I glanced at him.

"It's not even something valuable. Why are you so stingy? If she likes it, just give it to her," I said.

I only cared about satisfying my appetite.

The other things didn't concern me.

In the next round of Truth or Dare, Emily lost.

She chose the dare of "kissing someone present".

After provocatively glancing at me, Emily blushed and gradually approached Shawn.

"Kiss!"

"Kiss!"

Shawn didn't expect me to join in with the crowd.

At the peak of the cheering, Shawn raised his hand and refused Emily's kiss.

Embarrassed, Emily glared at me fiercely and ran out in tears.

Shawn simply rolled up his sleeves and, in front of those bewildered colleagues, grilled meat for me.

As the event ended, Emily, who had been hiding at the restaurant's back door, stood tearfully in front of Shawn and me.

Clutching Shawn's clothes, she sobbed and insisted he take her home.

Shawn looked at me helplessly.

"Janet, her home isn't far from here. Shall we take a walk together and see her home?" he said.

My phone call interrupted his self-righteous arrangement.

I took a taxi and said to Shawn, "You can take her home yourself. I have something to do. I'll leave first."

Later, I heard from my colleagues that Shawn didn't take Emily home.

As for why, I didn't care.

On the weekend after the team-building event, I got up early, dressed nicely, and went to a university classmate's wedding.

Just as I was having a great time, Shawn called.

Initially, I didn't intend to answer.

But he persisted in calling. I excused myself, found a relatively quiet place, and reluctantly answered.

"Janet, why did you block me?" He asked.

I was confused for a moment before remembering that I had indeed blocked Shawn on my birthday.

I clicked my tongue impatiently. "Just because of this little thing, you've been calling me incessantly?"

Shawn fell silent, not expecting my words.