Sheldon was startled, blinking rapidly.

After a long pause, he asked incredulously.

"Nora, what did you just say?"

I've always loved him dearly and the thought of being apart from him terrified me.

On the other hand, Sheldon would threaten me with breaking up every time he and I had a big fight over Winter.

He had me by the throat, forcing me to yield repeatedly.

But all I ever gained was a series of deep wounds.

Winter abruptly grabbed my hand, putting on a show of being reasonable and hastily advised.

"Nora, don't be impulsive. Let's talk this over."

"You’ve been with Sheldon for eight years. How could you possibly bear to give up on this relationship?"

"Besides, Sheldon is already the vice president of the company now."

"If you fall out with him, aren’t you worried it will affect your career in the future?"

Hearing this, Sheldon stood up straight with a smug look on his face. He adjusted his suit cuff and looked at me reproachfully.

"Winter is right. I've provided you with everything you need for all these years. What more could you possibly want?"

"Nora, that's enough. Stop making a scene."

"There are so many people here—aren’t you embarrassed? If our colleagues notice, how am I supposed to face them at work?"

Sheldon put on an air of superiority as if I owed my job to him.

But he seemed to have forgotten that I had accompanied him to that cramped, ten-square-meter basement where we were struggling to start our business.

It was I who accompanied the client to drink until I got a bleeding ulcer to help him get promoted and secure the project.

I chose to stand by his side resolutely when everyone else dismissed and looked down on him.

A bitter smile twisted my lips as tears pricked at my eyes.

After eight years of devotion, what had I gained?

"Sheldon, if you feel ugly, I will go back now and not disgrace you here."

"Don’t worry. There’s no future between us anymore. Let’s part amicably."

Perhaps my tone was too flat.

As Sheldon watched me force back my tears, a rare trace of panic crossed his face.

"Nora, I didn’t mean to … "

Noticing that Sheldon was starting to warm up to me, Winter bit her lip in frustration.

Her eyes instantly turned red and she looked like she was about to cry.

"Nora, I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault for being too selfish today and hurting your relationship with Sheldon."

"I’ll go and explain everything to everyone right now. At worst, they’ll laugh at me."

"As long as the two of you are fine, nothing else matters to me."

Winter had an expression of enduring humiliation, as if she had made a great decision and pretended to walk into the crowd.

"Winter don't go."

Without thinking, Sheldon grabbed her hand.

He turned to me, his eyes filled with impatience.

"Nora, why are you pushing Winter to this point?"

"She’s just starting her career. What if she is ostracized because of this?"

Sheldon's words made me feel sick.

Looking at him protecting Winter behind him like a treasure, it seemed like I was the one who broke up the couple.

Someone behind us suddenly called out teasingly.

"Mr. Sheldon, you and Miss Winter are the company’s next golden couple."

"Drink a few more glasses today and share some of that luck with us lonely singles!"

Sheldon smiled unconsciously when he heard this.

"We'll be right there!"

Sheldon adjusted his emotions and responded loudly.

He then wrapped his arm around Winter's slender waist, brushing past me as they walked straight towards the banquet.

As if to him, I was merely an insignificant person.

I knew that a lot of people in the company were shipping Sheldon and Winter as a couple.

Yet, Sheldon never stopped the rumors from spreading. He even enjoyed this ambiguous relationship with Winter.

But once, when Sheldon gave me a ride to work and was seen by a coworker.

My coworker gossiped, asking if Sheldon and I were dating.

Sheldon swiftly deducted the colleague's salary for a month, warning him not to speak recklessly and disrupt the company's atmosphere.

From then on, Sheldon never gave me a ride again.

He claimed it was to avoid rumors and insisted that I take the subway instead.

Winter's laughter kept drifting into my ears.

She nestled in Sheldon's arms, her cheeks flushed red with shyness.

In the past, if I'd seen Sheldon being so intimate with another woman, I would've confronted her without a second thought.

But now, I could calmly watch everything in front of me.

I sighed softly. I knew I didn't love him anymore.

I silently turned to leave and messaged the company headquarters that I was willing to accept an overseas transfer.

My job had been stagnant for years and Sheldon hated long-distance relationships.

So, I stayed in the country for him, willingly giving up better opportunities for advancement.

But now there's no need for that.

After returning home, I quickly received instructions from the headquarters that the official transfer would be scheduled in three days.

Just then, my phone dinged with a pop-up notification.

It was a new post from Winter’s social media.

A photo of two hands interlocked, both wearing matching rings.

The caption read:

"From now on, I will hold onto my happiness tightly!"

The comment section was flooded with well-wishes.

It was evident that Winter posted this mainly to show off to me.

People who steal another's love will eventually have their own stolen.

He's just a cheating jerk. What's there to be sad about?

I casually tossed my phone aside and calmly began packing my luggage, preparing the things I needed for my trip abroad.

At eleven P.M, the door opened.

Sheldon was drunk and put his arm on Winter's shoulder.

When Winter saw me, she pretended to be embarrassed.

"I'm so sorry, Nora. They forced me to drink and Sheldon was worried about me, so he helped me out."

I said coldly as Winter helped Sheldon onto the sofa.

"Winter, stop pretending—it’s getting old."

Seeing that Sheldon was half-asleep, Winter finally dropped her fake smile and spoke without restraint.

"Fine, you saw my post, right? Sheldon doesn't love you anymore."

"We already knew each other when he came to our school to recruit interns during our senior year."

"Nora, stop clinging to him. You should really think this over for yourself."

She raised her eyebrows smugly, her posture exuding the confidence of a victor.

Winter closed the door when she left, leaving only Sheldon and me in the room.

I stared at Sheldon, who was sprawled on the sofa and couldn't help but laugh bitterly at myself.

Winter had only joined the company a year ago, which explained why Sheldon had been out so often for the past two years.

He even lied to me, saying he was going on a business trip. Later, our conversations grew increasingly sparse after he returned home.

It turned out he'd been seeing someone else.

Sheldon stood up in a daze and hugged me from behind, murmuring.

"Winter … "

I took a deep breath, abruptly shoved Sheldon away and said coldly, "Sheldon, look closely. I'm Nora, not your Winter."

Hearing this, Sheldon sobered up almost instantly.

He rubbed his temples and instinctively walked toward the coffee table.

Sheldon's frown deepened, his voice almost petulant.

"Nora, didn't you prepare a hangover drink for me?"

In the past, whenever Sheldon came back from socializing, no matter how late it was, I would wait for him and prepare a drink to sober up.

This time, I didn’t bother. I simply said.

"I didn't."

To my surprise, Sheldon didn't seem angry at all. He poured himself a glass of cold water.

He then walked over to me, his voice softened.

"Nora, are you jealous? Are you still upset about Winter?"

"Winter’s just playful, a bit childish. Come on, you’re older. Why are you even bothered by her?"

I frowned in annoyance. After all, I was only two years older than Winter.

No matter what Winter did, she was always right and could be tolerated by Sheldon.

"Alright, Nora, don’t be so petty. I’ll make it up to you tonight, okay?"

Sheldon suddenly leaned toward me, his warm breath brushing against my neck.

I used to like being close to Sheldon, but now I felt sick for no reason.

When his lips were about to touch mine, I instinctively took a few steps back.

Sheldon froze, staring at me in surprise.

"Nora, what is this? Are you disgusted?"

I nodded indifferently.

"Yes, I’m disgusted. You make me sick."

"I made myself clear this morning. It's over between us."

Sheldon irritably rubbed his temples, his anger rising.

"Nora, I’ve already given you an out. How long are you going to keep throwing a tantrum?"

"Stop playing hard-to-get!"

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing. You just want to drive Winter away from me and make her quit her job!"

"Who I date and spend time with is my choice. It’s none of your business!"

I sighed silently.

If Sheldon cared about me even the slightest bit, he would have noticed the suitcase sitting by the wall.

I didn't cause a scene this time. He wanted freedom and I was more than willing to grant it.

After venting his anger, Sheldon dialed Winter's number right in front of me.

He took a deep breath, softened his voice and ensured no hint of negativity reached Winter.

"Winter, can you come pick me up? I’ll stay at your place for a few days."

Sheldon gave me a chilling glance and then slammed the door without a word.

I was long used to it.

Whenever Sheldon came home in a bad mood, he would go to Winter for comfort.

The only difference this time was that I didn't try to hold him back like I usually did.

From that day forward, Sheldon unilaterally gave me the cold shoulder.

No more texts, no more run-ins at work.

I didn’t care. My transfer abroad was coming up soon anyway.

I wouldn't have any contact with Sheldon in the future.

I’d moved to this city all those years ago because of him—because I stubbornly gave in to his wishes.

For the past eight years, my life has revolved around Sheldon.

I contacted my parents and told them about my breakup with Sheldon.

They respected my decision and even agreed to move abroad with me.

It was soon the day I was leaving to go abroad. I came to the airport with my parents.

I didn't expect to meet Sheldon and Winter there.

They held hands like a sweet and loving couple, talking and laughing.

The moment Sheldon spotted me, his face darkened.

"Nora, is it necessary for you to follow me all the way here?"

I rolled my eyes in disbelief. What a narcissistic.

I was about to respond when I noticed Winter flash me a smug, taunting smile before feigning fear and hiding behind Sheldon.

"Nora, please don't overthink it."

"Sheldon was in a bad mood after you guys argued the other day. So, he wanted me to accompany him on a trip to unwind."

Sheldon distressedly tightened his grip on Winter's hand and snapped.

"Winter, don't bother explaining. She's just possessive and can't bear the thought of me having any female friends."

"Nora, let me be clear. I’m not going back with you!"

What a tragic pair of lovebirds. I almost felt moved enough to shed a tear for their earth-shattering romance.

"You’re overthinking it. I’m not following you."

After that, I ignored Sheldon.

I calmly pulled the passport I would need later from my bag.

When Sheldon saw this, his expression suddenly changed.