Chapter 8
After Dylan and Mandy got together, Mandy completely shed her former fragility and became paranoid and suspicious.
She demanded that Dylan keep his phone on for her around the clock and report every detail of his schedule.
Whenever Dylan failed to reply promptly due to work, she would break down and make a scene.
At first, she only caused a commotion at home.
After that, as Dylan came home later and later, she started making scenes. at the police station.
Negotiation was a high–pressure job that required intense focus and calm.
I never disturbed him while he was working.
But Mandy would.
She would call repeatedly, checking on Dylan’s whereabouts, making sure he cared about her.
To appease her, Dylan let much of his work fall by the wayside.
In less than a year, he was stripped of his captain’s position due to a major on–site mistake and became an ordinary negotiation expert.
I heard that in his office that day, he lost his temper with Mandy for the first time, begging her to let him go.
The next day, Mandy overdosed on sleeping pills.
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Though she was rescued, this incident became the last straw that broke Dylan.
He wanted to break up.
Mandy held a knife against her own neck, crying and asking him why he had gotten involved with her in the first place.
During their argument, Mandy accidentally cut herself and also slashed Dylan.
That knife didn’t end her life in the end, but it completely ruined Dylan’s future.
He developed an improper relationship with a victim with mental disorders, leading to serious consequences.
He was dismissed from the police force.
When I heard all this from my former colleagues, my heart was perfectly calm.
The man I had loved for seven years had come to such an end.
Perhaps it had been destined from the moment he left me behind.
I returned to New York this time to attend a psychology event.
As soon as I got off the plane, I spotted Dylan in the crowd.
He was holding a bouquet of red roses, his gaze fixed on me.
It had been five years since we last saw each other. He looked much haggard, and the light in his eyes was gone.
I saw my parents, who had come to pick me up, and walked toward them
with a smile.
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Chapter 8
Dylan blocked my way.
He handed me the flowers, forcing a stiff smile.
“Emilia, long time no see. Congratulations.”
I nodded without taking the flowers.
“Thank you, but we should keep our distance.”
A hint of hurt flashed across Dylan’s eyes.
“I know you’re still blaming me, Emilia. These five years, I’ve regretted it every single day.”
I frowned.
“Dylan, if you really cared about my well–being, you shouldn’t have shown up here today.
“What you’re doing right now will only bring me trouble.”
No sooner had the words left my mouth than a shrill voice rang out.
“I knew it! I knew you couldn’t forget her!”
Mandy charged over. All traces of her former innocence were gone, her face etched with resentment and exhaustion.
She snatched the flowers from Dylan’s hand, smashed them hard on the ground, and burst into hysterical sobs at him.
“Five years! I’ve been with you for five years! Why can’t you even see me?
“As soon as she comes back, you can’t wait to run over! Have you forgotten how you were ruined back then?”
Dylan, presumably humiliated, snapped irritably, “Enough! Mandy, how
long are you going to keep making a scene?”
Mandy’s tears instantly gushed out like a broken dam.
She pointed at me, then at Dylan, and let out a shrill laugh.
“An old friend? An ex–girlfriend whose name you still call in your dreams?
“Dylan, Dylan, if you truly loved her, why did you get involved with me back then? And if you love me, why did you come to see her today?”
Dylan was left speechless by her questions, frozen in place.
Yes, he didn’t love either of us enough.
What he loved most was himself, playing the role of a savior.
A warm voice sounded behind me.
“Honey, so here you are. Our son’s been waiting anxiously.”
The next second, a small figure threw itself into my arms.
“Mom! Grandpa! Grandma!”
My son, Kevin Harlan, clung to my neck, acting playfully.
My husband, Theodore Harlan, was holding Kevin’s favorite donuts, looking at us with doting eyes.
“Didn’t we agree to go for a big meal? How come we’re delayed by irrelevant people?”
Mandy looked at us, then laughed at Dylan through her tears.
“Look, this is the woman you’ve been thinking about for has a husband, a child, and a happy life.
five years. She
Chapter 8
11
“Only you cling to the past and refuse to let go like a fool. Hahaha.”
Dylan’s face turned pale instantly. He looked at me, the pain in his eyes shattered into pieces.
“You… are married?”
I nodded.
Theodore was someone from the same industry whom I met during my further studies abroad. We shared mutual topics and similar souls.
In my darkest days, it was he who stayed by my side, pulling me out of the mire bit by bit.
The second year after we met, we got married and had Kevin.
Dylan’s voice was extremely hoarse.
“How come… I never saw you post about it?”
It was only then that I remembered–I seemed to have only blocked. Dylan’s main account, forgetting that long–unused backup one.
“I haven’t used that account for a long time.”
Dylan forced a bitter smile.
“Is that so? Then… congratulations.”
His tone was filled with regret.
I suddenly recalled a lyric I’d heard a long time ago. “The thing I regret most is that your pain traces back to me.”
But now, his regret had nothing to do with me anymore.
