"Charlotte."


    His gaze lingered on me, emotions swirling in his eyes. "I regret going to the Civil Affairs Bureau with you." "Huh?"


    "I can''t bear to divorce you."


    His voice was low, as if veiled in mist.


    I licked my lips, nodded towards the elevator about to arrive. "I''ve got to go."


    I had said what needed to be said. Those futile struggles would only add to the trouble.


    "I said I''ll n


    "Ryan!"


    you a lift..."


    The elevator doors opened, and inside was unexpectedly Jessica, her face lit up in surprise, softly saying, " Didn''t you say you wouldn''t be free toe this afternoon? You couldn''t bear to leave me alone, could you?"


    Without looking back, I stepped into the elevator, pressed the floor button, not even sparing a nce to see what expression Ryan had.


    Whether it was resignation, annoyance, or indulgence, none of it mattered to me now.


    ?


    What I must learn now was to let go. Let go of someone I had pursued for eight years but couldn''t keep up with.


    On the way home, Jack called.


    I answered with a smile, "Jack, what''s up?"


    "The design you submitted for thepetition, has anyone else seen it?"


    His tone was serious and cautious.


    I had a bad feeling, slowed down the car, and carefully recalled, "Except for Jane, no one else."


    Except for leaving it at thepany overnight, the design hadn''t left my house.


    There was a slight silence on the other end of the line, and I couldn''t help but ask, "Is something wrong?"


    "Let''s talk in person, shall Ie find you?"


    "It''s alright, I''ll be go to the MS Group. I just happen to be out as well."


    turned at the traffic light. "Shall I wait for you at the café?"


    He agreed readily.


    About 20 minutester, when I arrived at the Starbucks next to the MS Group''s affice building, I saw Jack through the windows.


    In a beige shirt paired with khaki casual pants, he looked particrly refined and gentle, yet distant in a


    way that made him hard to approach.


    As 1 approached, that distance seemed to dissipate. He smiled lightly and handed me a hot drink, "Have something hot." "Okay."


    I wasn''t too picky about what I drink, but after taking a sip, I looked at him in surprise. It was my favorite


    drink.


    Jack often made me feel like he understood me very well.


    But I didn''t know when he hade to understand mel


    After two sips, I got straight to the point, "Something definitely happened, right?"


    "Yeah." He nodded, carefully choosing his words. "Your design was giarized. But don''t worry too much. It''s your own work, no one can take that away." "How is that possible?"


    I straightened up immediately, finding it hard to believe


    His eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of seriousness in his expression. "The other party submitted theirs earlier than you. She sent it to usst night."


    I was bewildered. "Can you tell me who it is? Or do we need to wait for your group''s decision?"


    Although not a formalpetition, being hosted by the MS Group meant it had considerable influence in the design industry.


    If mishandled, someone''s reputation could be ruined.


    Jack didn''t beat around the bush, he said straightforwardly, "It''s Jessica."


    ''Jessica?"


    ''This is her design, take a look."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    He handed me his phone as he spoke.