The Last Leaf of Devotion

Odessa's words hung heavily in the air. A moment later, the silence shattered, like ice cracking under sudden pressure.

Ansel shoved her hard, rage bursting forth. "How many times are you going to make up lies like this?"

Odessa stumbled, nearly losing her balance. She lowered her gaze and offered a bitter smile. "You never believe me. But I guess that's fair… the trust between us disappeared long ago."

Ansel glared at her, his whole body trembling with rage, yet he remained silent.

In the blink of an eye, he regained control, a mocking smile curling on his lips. "Fine. If that's what you want… I'll divorce you on the sixth day."

Without looking back, he grabbed Sydney's hand and started to walk away.

"Ansel, please! You have to believe me!"

Odessa rushed after them but was stopped by the gate as it swung shut.

Without warning, she tumbled to the ground. Her heel snapped loudly, a sharp pain shooting through her ankle.

She let out a muffled cry, refusing to look at her injury. Instead, she turned to the receptionist and pleaded, "Please… could you open the gate for me?"

Before the receptionist could reply, Ansel's sharp, commanding voice pierced the silence. "Don't let her in!"

Yet, when his eyes landed on Odessa's disheveled appearance, a flicker of tenderness softened the hardness in his gaze.

Sydney noticed immediately. Without missing a beat, she leaned into her act. "Ansel, my face still hurts. Can you check if it's swollen?"

Ansel's attention shifted. He knelt down, gently blowing on her cheek. "Come on, let's go back to the office. I'll get some ice for it."

She bit her lip, tears glistening in her eyes. "But what about Odessa…"

Caught in Sydney's pleading look, Ansel steeled himself and said firmly, "From now on, no one lets Odessa into the building without my approval."

When she saw them so close, Odessa's heart broke, bleeding with each agonizing beat. Through choked sobs, she pleaded, "For God's sake, Ansel! Can't you trust me just this once? I only have five days left!"

Ansel didn't look back. Without a word, he stepped into the elevator.

Suddenly, the room grew still. Every pair of eyes felt like sharp needles piercing Odessa's skin. Yet, rather than pain, a deep, hollow void began to spread inside her chest.

After what felt like an eternity, she forced herself up and staggered out of the building.

Outside, thick clouds hung heavy in the sky. Two young women stood at the bus stop. Their eyes were locked on Halberg Group's building, confusion etched across their faces.

"Wasn't that screen showing the CEO's proposal video before? Why did it suddenly switch to an ad?"

"That spokesperson isn't particularly pretty, but she has a fresh, innocent look. I have no idea who she is, though."

Odessa paused, looking up. The giant LED screen now featured a commercial with Sydney, promoting Halberg Group's latest "True Love" jewelry collection.

At the heart of the ad was a dazzling ring. It was a limited-edition piece from the company's 100-Year Anniversary Collection.

As Odessa stared at the screen, her mind wandered back to when the jewelry designs were nothing more than rough sketches. She recalled Ansel laying them before her, eager to hear her thoughts.

"Odessa, which one speaks to you the most?" he asked.

She pointed to a ring shaped like a maple leaf. "This one. It's beautiful."

Ansel smiled, leaning in to kiss her. "I love that one too. Maple leaves shine their brightest in autumn. It reminds me of the first time I saw you at school.

"I'll make it the centerpiece of our 100-Year Anniversary Collection. But it won't be for sale. It will belong to you alone."

Odessa wrapped her arms around him, looking up with a teasing pout. "You'd better mean it. If you don't, I'll leave you forever."

"I swear on my life!"