Chapter 3

“I’ve already put your things in the car for you. If you leave any later, you’ll hit traffic.”

Martha came back to call me.

Outside the window, the sunset was halfway down, casting dim light.

I snapped back to reality, hastily pulling on my coat, and got into the car.

Because I suddenly realized that this was ten years ago, and everything could still be changed.

The driver merged into traffic. “This road to the hospital is already jammed. Maybe you should call Mr. Noah and ask him to wait…”

“Not the hospital.” I looked at the constantly changing traffic lights outside the window, and changed my mind. “To the company.”

…

Truth be told, I didn’t have many memories of Julian’s company.

When I was younger, I hated him so much I never bothered to visit.

Later, when I loved him, he was being targeted by enemies, and danger lurked everywhere, so I didn’t dare go looking for him.

Which is why, at this moment, standing beneath a cluster of towering office buildings, I felt a bit lost.

Which one was his office building anyway?

Passersby eyed me curiously: holding a giant bouquet, dressed elegantly, with makeup on, like a girl about to confess her feelings.

I awkwardly pulled out my phone and dialed Julian’s number.

Just his full name.

Not even listed as an emergency contact.

I pressed call, expecting to wait a long time.

But after just two short rings, he picked up.

His cool, distant voice came through the receiver. “What is it?”

Hearing his voice again, my eyes suddenly welled up, and my voice involuntarily caught in my throat.

“Julian, where’s your office? I can’t find it…”

The passersby looked at me even stranger.

A woman who couldn’t find her husband’s office, standing on the curb, sobbing.

Julian seemed to be in a meeting. He paused briefly, then said, “Let’s stop here for today.”

Then he told me, “Go stand on the sidewalk. I’m coming down.”

A few minutes later, Julian walked out of the office building.

His tall figure cut through the neon lights, dressed in a sharp suit, noble and self-possessed.

In contrast, my reflection in the glass showed eyeliner streaking down with my tears, like the girl from ‘Orphan’.

Damn it, it was all ruined.

“Why are you here?”

His tone was flat, almost icy.

I turned my head.

The tall, handsome man was looking at me with a cold expression, his pupils reflecting my scribbled-on face, his expression stiffening slightly.

No matter when, Julian was always perfectly composed.

Like a flower blooming on a cliff, unsullied.

“I’m sorry,” I said, lowering my head, not daring to look at him. “Did I bother you…”

“Today…” He only said two words, then stopped.

I knew what he wanted to say.

Today, I should be celebrating Noah’s birthday, not showing up here.

That actually reminded me.

I shoved the flowers into his arms, mumbling vaguely, “Happy birthday.”

A long silence followed.

I secretly glanced at him and noticed he was staring at the bouquet, but he didn’t look very happy.

After a long moment, he let out a bitter, sarcastic laugh. “Clara, those are his discards, aren’t they?”

“What?”

I realized his mood had shifted, and my gaze suddenly fell on the bouquet, my heart sinking.

Oh no!

Ice-blue roses.

Their meaning: to give you the stars and the sea.

Noah’s favorite things were also the stars and the sea.

My memories upon waking had been too chaotic. I’d been so focused on finding Julian that I’d overlooked these details.

“I’m sorry, I—”

“Thank you for the birthday gift.” Julian’s tone was almost stiff. “It’s getting late. Have the driver take you home.”

He turned to leave.

I quickly grabbed the hem of his suit. “Wait!”

Julian hadn’t expected my move and didn’t stop, causing me to stumble and crash hard into his back.

His bespoke suit was a crumpled, colorful mess.

Julian turned, staring at my fingers, silent for a long time.

I was stubborn, insisting, “Julian, I’m not going back.”

His expression was desolate. “Clara, how are you going to torture me this time?”

That question was really hard to answer.

From my memories, Julian and I had just gotten married around this time, and I was constantly picking fights with him.

I was 23, he was 28.