No Longer Yours, Ex-Boyfriend

When I was crying my heart out, Stephan took me home. I didn’t celebrate my birthday that year.

Later, Stephan said that I should celebrate my birthday one day in advance to dilute the sadness with happiness, so that my parents would be relieved. On my real birthday, he would put aside all other things to spend it with me.

He did it when he was twenty-one and today, just over a year later, he seemed to have forgotten it.

His mind was filled with the news that Bianca had returned. He didn’t even feel the pain when his fingertips were pierced by the thorns of a rose when he was making a phone call in the garden just now.

I stared at the living room in a daze until my phone vibrated and broke my thoughts.

“Hello, Vanessa, I’m Emmett.”

It took me a moment to react, then I remembered that this was my senior from college.

“Emmett, what’s wrong?”

“I have to tell you that I’m in Draport now. By the way, do you know Albert?”

“Yes. He has established a unique jewelry brand in the world and is at the forefront of fashion. He is a very powerful person.”

“Yes, I’m planning to create a new global brand with him, but we don’t have enough manpower here.” Emmett’s voice was a little hesitant. “I showed him your work without telling you in advance and he was very satisfied. I sent word that I hope you will join me.”

I was stunned. “Creating a new global brand with Albert?”

“It’s like this. I heard someone say before that you followed Stephan to work in Marshall Group. Will it bother you? Actually, I’m just asking. It’s okay if you don’t want to. I just think it’s good to be with Albert. It’s a particularly good opportunity to be together…”

Emmett’s voice was hesitant and regretful.

Indeed, Albert was a well-known figure in the jewelry design industry and many people would beg for his services, but I never expected that he would be interested in my work.

However, if I wanted to start a brand with Albert, I would have to go abroad, leave ShenStephan and go to Draport for a few years.

I was silent for a long time. “Give me some time, I’ll think about it.”

“Okay, I look forward to hearing from you.”

I returned to the room and didn’t know when I fell into a deep sleep. When the sunlight filled the whole room and the back of my hand was wrapped by a warm palm, I opened my eyes.

Stephan sat on the bed, still wearing the suit he wore yesterday.

“Vanessa, were you exhausted yesterday? You went straight to sleep without even changing into your dress.”

He ruffled my messy hair and said distressedly, “If I had known, I wouldn’t have arranged so many procedures.”

I was a little surprised that he would come back at this time. I pursed my lips and said, “Don’t you have work to do?”

“It’s true that I’m busy at work, but Vanessa also needs my company.”

My nose felt sore and I threw myself into his arms.

Stephan hugged me and said, “I was wrong. I should have stayed with you last night. Vanessa won’t be angry, right?”

I shook my head and buried myself deeper in his arms.

He was my salvation, how could I be angry with him?

Leaning against his chest, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat, a hint of unique perfume permeated my nose, the top note being an elegant white rose and the base note leaving a faint moonlight.

It was not my taste, nor was it Stephan’s taste.

My heart skipped a beat and my hand subconsciously reached out for the collar of Stephan’s shirt. As soon as I unbuttoned a button, my wrist was grabbed.

“I’ve been a little tired from work lately, maybe next time.”

He stood up and buttoned his clothes again. “By the way, last time I said I wanted to learn how to make shrimp and scallop porridge from Audrey. Have you eaten yet? Wait for me for a while and I’ll let you taste my cooking skills.”