Chapter 2
Smoke curled around Stephen’s face, his profile starkly clear in the dim light.
Diana felt a flicker of emotion but also sensed something unfamiliar about him.
A pang of guilt flashed through her as she avoided his direct gaze. “I was rushing to finish my SCI paper; my advisor kept me late. Didn’t you see my message?”
Stephen let out a soft laugh, extinguishing his cigarette with force. Though he’d expected this response, an indescribable bitterness still rose within him.
As he stubbed out the cigarette, Diana sat down on the sofa, quickly changing the subject. “I got you a gift. Open it up. If you don’t like it, you can exchange it.”
She pulled a pristine gift box from her bag and busied herself lighting candles on the cake.
Just then, her phone, left on the coffee table, buzzed.
Stephen glanced at the screen and saw it was a message from Wayne, her junior.
“Did you get home safe, Diana?”
“Thanks so much for today! Next time, romantic dinner on me.”
The messages included a heart emoji and an overly affectionate tone.
Stephen’s chest tightened as he opened the gift box. Inside was a delicate watch, adorned with sapphire–blue stones.
He had told her more than once that he didn’t like blue.
And it was identical to the one Wayne had shown on his social media.
So, she’d bought one for Wayne and conveniently got an extra for him.
“Thanks,” Stephen said nonchalantly, tossing the watch carelessly into the drawer on the coffee table.
In the past, he would have confronted her, demanded answers. But now, none of it mattered.
After repeated betrayals, he no longer felt compelled to try.
Diana didn’t notice the resolute look in his eyes or the calm, emotionless expression on his face. She just saw a faint, almost relieved smile.
He was ready to make his wish a reality.
To leave her. Completely.
The cake was barely cut when Diana’s phone rang. She quickly ran over, snatching it from the table.
“Stephen, my advisor just asked me to revise my paper again. Go ahead and eat the cake on your own.”
Without hesitation, she dashed to the study and shut the door.
Bang!
Now that Wayne was in the picture, she didn’t even bother to keep up appearances.
She hadn’t even asked about his birthday wish.
Silence fell over the living room. Stephen quietly threw the cake into the trash and retreated to his bedroom for a peaceful sleep.
The next morning, the house was empty.
Stephen was eager to leave. He got up, packed his things, and prepared to go abroad.
He took down every photo, every little memento from the bedroom.
The painting Diana had given him when she confessed her love, he tossed it right into the trash. Then he walked to the study.
The desk was covered in books and papers.
He picked up a textbook on aerospace materials, and the name on it was Wayne’s.
The subject was precisely his own specialty, miles away from Diana’s field of semiconductors.
He recalled suggesting that she choose the same major as him, so he could help her with her career someday.
But she’d brushed it off, saying aerospace materials were too difficult and she didn’t want to start over.
Now, for another man, she was willing to study something entirely new.
The book was filled with dense notes, evidence of the time and effort she’d poured into learning.
It turned out his dedication was nothing but a joke in the face of this junior.
Stephen felt no strong emotions. He simply put the book back, as if nothing had happened.
Ding!
Chapter 2
His phone pinged with a message from Wayne.
“Diana is helping me with my studies. Could you please bring her book to campus?”
