Chapter 215 Moving On
+8 Pearls
“I don’t have any big plans. Just trying to live a peaceful life,” I replied. But when Ethan kissed my forehead just now, my heart skipped twice. Damn it, that buried desire had somehow come alive again.
Ethan smiled, his refined and handsome face tinged with a quiet hope. “Good. Then live it well.”
I looked up into his eyes. He was wearing glasses tonight, probably
his gaze even more captivating.
wething he did in the evenings. The frames only made
“I heard your company is going public. Congratulations,” I said sincerely.
“Thanks. Once everything’s finalized, can I treat you to dinner?” he asked, his voice a little hoarse.
I hesitated. As much as I wanted to let loose a little, I still wasn’t ready for another relationship.
“I just got divorced,” I told him honestly. “I’m not really in the headspace for anything romantic right now. But if it’s just as friends, sure.”
Ethan’s eyes flickered for a split second. Then he smiled. “Alright.”
I glanced at the time. “It’s getting late. You should head back and get some rest.”
“Wait a second,” he said, pulling a sleek rectangular box from his pocket and handing it to me. “This is for you.”
Before I could say anything, he turned and walked back to his car, disappearing down the street under the glow of the streetlights.
I opened the box. Inside was a platinum necklace, sparkling under the light, with a delicate butterfly pendant.
When flowers bloom, butterflies come on their own.
It was the first gift I’d ever received from a man who wasn’t Shawn. And suddenly, my emotions swirled wildly.
Sometimes, letting go of the wrong person is the only way to find the right one.
I brought the necklace home and am already deciding to send something back tomorrow. Since it wasn’t cheap, I couldn’t accept it without reciprocating.
If I didn’t want to start owing emotional debts again, I needed to keep things clear from the beginning.
That way, I wouldn’t feel regret or shame when I looked back one day.
I used to buy all kinds of gifts for Shawn–ties, lighters, razors, even underwear.
I’d built up quite a bit of experience buying gifts for men.
I leaned back against the elevator wall, zoning out a little.
What should I get him? Ties, belts, and razors are all too personal. Too suggestive. It’d feel like I was trying to tie him down.
That thought made me laugh to myself. Love is such a complicated thing. The more you try to keep it casual, the more entangled it becomes. And maybe that’s what makes it so intoxicating.
No. I needed to pick something appropriate that wouldn’t send the wrong message. I remembered him mentioning over dinner once that he enjoyed tennis.
Perfect. I’d get him a nice set of tennis rackets. It’d be a subtle way to encourage him to exercise more.
On my phone, a few photos from Yuna sat quietly in the album. One was of her bent over, clipping her toenails, another of her brushing her teeth in the bathroom, and her small front tooth, which had newly fallen and was leaving a gap.
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9:13 AM
Chapter 215 Moving On
Being tough on her had forced her to think for herself. Like everything in life, there were gains and losses.
The next morning.
+8 Pearls
When I arrived at the office for the meeting, I discovered that a few juicy rumors had started spreading while I’d been away.
Apparently, Shawn had gotten so drunk he threw up and passed out. Amy rushed him to the hospital and stayed with him late into the night. Then Queena and Susanna showed up and kicked Amy out. The next day, Amy came to work furiously. She chewed out Queena’s old team, creating internal friction in the management ranks.
Honestly, I hadn’t expected this. Shawn had just gotten divorced, and suddenly, he was in demand again. Tch.
I treated it like a joke. The informants I’d cultivated inside the company were all married middle–aged women. I’d given them lovely gifts, so they were loyal to me.
When I arrived, one of them slipped in to share the gossip. She shook her head, clicking her tongue. “Ms. Mayfield, the single women in this company have gone nuts. They’re putting on makeup daily and dressing up like they’re walking the runway, clearly trying to catch Mr. Hartwell’s eye.”
“Can’t blame them,” I said casually, handing her a cup of tea. “He’s rich and good–looking.”
“I’ll watch for you,” she promised, taking a sip before heading back out.
Not long after, there was a knock on the door. Shawn walked in. He has been to the morning meeting and probably just got
- in.
He looked a bit thinner lately, but truth be told, a little weight loss only sharpened his features and made him look even more refined.
He stepped in without saying a word, just stood there silently, staring at me.
“Mr. Hartwell, is there something you need?” I asked, smiling politely and professionally, putting on my best strictly business‘. expression.
