In the evening, after finishing work, I left the company and saw her standing outside.

She was dressed impeccably with a cold expression and a tall figure, like a runway model. Her body proportions were exceptional, drawing the attention of passers-by.

In the past, I would have approached her and asked her to get into the car to avoid being seen by anyone.

However, now, I simply ignored her.

I walked toward the station alone, and soon, Amelia caught up with me. Instead of explaining the incident, she said calmly, "It's Debra's birthday today. She's treating us to dinner."

I stopped and looked up at her. "Sure."

After we got in the car, there was silence.

As the wind blew in through the window, I caught a faint scent of jasmine.

It was Oscar's fragrance.

It was not unpleasant. I suddenly asked, "Do you enjoy floral fragrance?"

Amelia narrowed her bright eyes. "So-so."

Really? But why did I always smell this scent on you?

I didn't speak anymore.

When we arrived at the agreed hotel, Oscar and Debra Wilson had been there for a while.

He was obviously surprised to see us coming together.

"Amelia, Adrian, you're here. We've been waiting for you for a long time."

I smiled at Debra. "I'm sorry. I came in a hurry and didn't prepare a gift for you."

She was a childhood friend of Amelia and Oscar. Amelia would bring me along whenever she had a party with them, and we gradually became familiar with each other.

"I gave her a gift. You don't need to apologize."

Amelia pulled me to the table.

I wasn't sure if Oscar and Debra had done it intentionally, but the remaining two seats were directly opposite each other.

I released Amelia's hand and went to sit across from her.

Despite her displeasure, she said nothing and took the empty seat next to Oscar.

I was well aware of what her friends were thinking.

From the start, they were not optimistic about Amelia's relationship with me, believing I wasn't worthy of her, and their attitude toward me was lukewarm.

I had endeavored to build a good relationship with them by giving them thoughtfully chosen gifts during festivals.

However, no one had actually used them, which led me to understand they weren't fully accepting me wholeheartedly.

​I was too stupid to realize such an obvious fact until now.​

I just ate the food quietly.

Amelia chatted with them with ease while peeling shrimp.

She avoided seafood and would only try it reluctantly if someone helped her peel and debone it, finding the process troublesome.

However, she didn't mind the effort now. After peeling an entire plate of shrimp and placing it in front of Oscar, she carefully wiped her hands with a wet wipe.

Oscar stared at her lovingly.

She had never been so considerate to me.

Witnessing all this, I felt very depressed.

Despite my determination to move on from her, the scenes filled me with sadness.

Debra also noticed her actions. While covertly observing my expression, she nudged Amelia and teased, "Amelia, don't be partial. Your boyfriend still craves your attention."

Amelia suddenly came back to her senses and looked at the empty plate on the table.

She said, "Let's order another one."

"No need." I took a sip of the drink with composure. "I don't like shrimp."

"What about fish?"

"No."

Amelia frowned slightly and glanced at the table. "What about clam chowder?"

"No."

She was stunned, evidently not anticipating my decisive refusal.

Meeting her gaze, I calmly wiped my mouth with a napkin and continued, "Please stop. I don't like any of those."

"Adrian, are you angry?"

Oscar added tentatively, "If so, I'll give you this plate. You're a mature man, so don't get upset with Amelia over such trivial matters."

Oscar's calm demeanor made me feel like a villain.

"Why am I angry? Have a good time. I just remembered that I still have some work to do, so I'll head out first."

With a smile, I stood up and was about to leave.

"Wait. Are you still upset about Amelia setting off fireworks for Oscar?" Debra asked deliberately, gazing at me provocatively.

As this matter was mentioned, Oscar said, "I'm sorry, Adrian. I was in a bad mood at that time, so Amelia came up with this idea. If it bothers you, we can take you with us next time we have fun."

Amelia frowned. "I just organized a fireworks show. Why are you so annoyed? Adrian, you are too petty."

Her words created a tense atmosphere in the room.

Oscar grinned at me out of her view, as if quietly asserting their closeness.

Wasn't it ridiculous that those who did wrong often failed to recognize their own mistakes?

Amelia remained oblivious to her fault as ever.

She believed that with time, I would forget about it and that the matter would be resolved.

I beamed calmly. "Well, you are right. The fireworks were beautiful. You can do it again."

With that, I walked away without hesitation.

When the door closed, I heard Oscar's voice. "Amelia, go chase him and apologize. Adrian is obviously furious."

"Leave him alone. He will be fine in a few days."

Amelia's words hurt me like a sword.

​What had I done to inspire her with such confidence?​

I stepped out of the hotel slowly.

A cool autumn breeze swept through the night.

I strolled along the bustling streets.

The roadside was crowded with people.

Couples passed by me, their loving demeanor truly enviable.

Before Oscar returned, Amelia and I had been as affectionate as them.

We held hands tightly, unwilling to let go, fearing the other might vanish.

So, why did we become like this?

I panted heavily, feeling breathless.

At the sight of an ice cream stall on the roadside, I pondered for a while and went to buy one.

The moment I received the ice cream, Amelia's complaints suddenly came to mind.

"Your stomach problem is so severe. Why are you eating something cold? You're risking your life."

I took a bite, and it tasted just cloyingly sweet.

It was not delicious, even somewhat bitter.

The air also became foul.

I was about to ask the boss if the ice cream had gone bad when a couple happily ate theirs with relish.

That seemed to be my problem.

Suppressing the melancholy, I turned back home.

Upon my arrival, Amelia texted me.

[Are you home yet?]

I glanced at it but didn't reply.

Not long after, she sent another message. [We didn't enjoy the meal today because of you. Let's host them another day.]

I still didn't reply.

Perhaps Amelia had lost her patience and called me directly.

I put down my phone and ignored it.

When I got back from the shower, my phone had stopped ringing.

Before going to sleep, I habitually checked Instagram, only to unexpectedly see a post by Oscar from five minutes ago.

Amelia appeared to have hired a surrogate driver, with her and him seated in the back of the car.

In the photo, she leaned lazily on his shoulder with her eyes closed. He lowered his head slightly, and his lips were only half an inch away from hers.

The caption read: [No matter how much time goes by, we'll always be the same.]

With a mocking smile, I replied to her: [Congratulations.]

The next day, I packed up and went out to work.

Upon opening the door, I was greeted by breakfast on the floor.

It was evident who had delivered it.

I picked up the breakfast, went downstairs, and threw it into the community trash can without hesitation.

When I glanced up, Amelia appeared in front of me with a sullen face, holding her cell phone.

"Did you throw away the breakfast I bought you?"

Her words betrayed her displeasure and anger. She glared straight at me with bright eyes.

"I mentioned that I disliked everything you said or gave me."

I calmly walked past her, but she grabbed my wrist.

"Adrian, are you still making a fuss?"

"Making a fuss?" I gazed at her with composure. "Didn't you treat me like this before? You also know that this is a fuss, don't you?"

Like me, Amelia suffered from severe stomach problems, so the doctor advised me to monitor her meals closely. To help her recover, I enrolled in a cooking class to learn how to prepare nutritious food.

However, she had never taken a bite of it.

If I hadn't accidentally seen her giving the nutritious food I made to Oscar, I wouldn't have known how long I would have been kept in the dark.

Amelia was speechless for a while before explaining, "He underwent surgery a few years ago and hasn't fully recovered. His health condition is quite fragile, so he needs nutritious meals more than I do."

"Really? You have stomach problems while he is in poor health. So, you're a perfect match."

With no time to chat with her, I shook off her hand and left.

Later, I dedicated all my attention to work and disregarded the messages from her.

Even the gifts and meals sent to me were returned untouched.

When my friends asked me out for a drink and a chat, I agreed readily.

I could do whatever I wanted, and I was freer.

Without Amelia and Oscar, many of my troubles were alleviated.

All that remained was the joy of solitude.

​Had it not been for Debra's sudden call, I would have almost forgotten them.​

"Adrian, when will you arrive? We're all here waiting for you."

I was confused. "Why are you waiting for me?"

"Didn't you and Amelia invite us to dinner? Why are you pretending? We are waiting for you. Come here quickly."

As soon as the words came out, the other party ended the call.

Debra sent me an address and a private room number.

I pressed my lips and felt that it was time to make this matter clear.

I went there according to the address.

Upon my arrival, I realized that this was the restaurant I had mentioned before.

At that time, I told Amelia that I intended to have dinner there.

I pondered whether the food here lived up to its online acclaim for deliciousness.

However, she always claimed to be busy, so we never got the chance to visit.

I followed a waiter's guidance to the private room.

Before entering, I heard Debra's voice.

"I'm not trying to complain, but your boyfriend is quite irritating. He even puts on airs when treating us to dinner. What a poor, petty, and scheming man!"

Oscar smiled, "There's a recent saying online that the less capable a man is, the worse his temper. If Amelia suffers in the future, we must let her tell us instead of bearing it alone."

"In my opinion, you two are a perfect match. If you hadn't fallen ill and needed to go abroad for treatment, you would be the one with Amelia right now."

My mind went blank.

Did Amelia have a crush on Oscar?

It turned out that my guess was correct.

I always wondered why she tolerated him unconditionally.

So, he was the man she loved but could not have.

"Come in. Don't stand here like an idiot."

Amelia's voice came from behind me. I pivoted around and clenched my fists.

"Why should I go in? To listen to you announce your new boyfriend?"