I’d been completely in the dark…Sam listened, clicking his tongue in amazement.“My aunt has finally blossomed. And she moved fast.”Adam Cole shook his head, biting his lip with a handsome smile. “Ms. Sterling is very loyal. After I left three years ago, she didn’t date anyone. She even sent me good morning and good night messages every day.”Three years ago, it was her, flushed from too much wine, who shyly asked me, “Can we be together?”For three years, I stayed up late with her, working overtime. On her sleepless nights, I sang lullabies until dawn.For three years, she took me all over the country. Under the dazzling fireworks at amusement parks, she called me her only prince.I gave her all my love, but her heart held another person.Not long ago, on my birthday, I closed my eyes, making a heartfelt wish. When I opened them, she was looking down, replying to messages.My wish was for a future with Vivian Sterling.
Was she, perhaps, wishing for an early reunion with her beloved?Lost in thought, Sam suddenly grabbed my arm excitedly. “Leo, real couples are the best! It’s my favorite kind of second-chance romance!”My ears roared. The world faded, leaving only my own voice, trying to sound calm but trembling uncontrollably.“Yeah, they do look well-matched.”A talented woman and a capable man, a perfectly matched couple – far more suitable than Vivian and I ever appeared.They chatted animatedly, with Vivian Sterling occasionally interjecting.“Don’t ask so many questions, he’s shy, don’t tease him.”“He knows all these things, Adam and I have no secrets.”“Did my nephew bother you? Do you want to go rest for a bit?”I ignored these words until Sam finally pulled me away.Adam Cole’s voice drifted from behind us.“I told you not to make our relationship public out there!”“If I hadn’t pushed a little, who knows how long you would’ve made me wait.”So, she wasn’t just capable of a secret relationship.She just… didn’t love me.
The next day was the annual family gathering.Vivian Sterling and I were supposed to reveal our relationship to everyone today.After we started dating, it was her idea to keep it from family.“Our situation is a bit unique. If my sister found out I tricked a boy nearly her son’s age into being my boyfriend, she’d never approve.”I believed her, so I willingly waited for myself to get older before going public with those we both knew.Half a month ago, I hugged her, playfully asking,“My career is stable now, and you’re a CEO. Can we go public on our three-year anniversary?”She agreed without a second thought.Then… the company projects suddenly piled up.Forget meeting for dinner; I’d message her two days ago, and she’d only remember to reply today.
I spent a sleepless night. The next day, with dark circles under my eyes, I stared at the surprise gifts I’d prepared for her in my closet.All sorts of little things she loved.I wanted to offer myself as a gift to her.But now, it seemed, there was no need.I slammed the closet door shut.My phone rang loudly. It was Vivian Sterling.The moment I answered, she directly asked, “The Sterling family dinner is tonight. Are you coming?”I clutched my phone, letting out a soft laugh as I countered, “Do you want me to?”Vivian Sterling was silent for a moment on the other end, then sighed.“Leo, it’s just a family gathering, after all.”“Since you’re Sam’s friend, you’re practically a junior in the family. Why don’t you just come and join us?”Three years of devotion, only to be called a “junior.”I wasn’t an idiot. She just wanted to use the gathering as an excuse to lay it all out for me.That Vivian Sterling and I could only be elder and junior.
Or, perhaps, we had never truly crossed that boundary.I suddenly understood the depth of her intention in never making our relationship public.An unknown relationship could be ended so easily.Just like now, without even a formal breakup.How pathetic, truly pathetic.I curled my lips. “Sure, I’ll be there.”Vivian Sterling unhappily said, “I’ll be bringing Adam Cole with me…”“Don’t worry, I won’t disturb you two.”Vivian Sterling hung up quickly, as if shedding a huge burden.I didn’t understand why she was so loving yesterday, but today she was avoiding me like the plague.
