Back then, whenever he smoked, she’d puff up her cheeks and snatch the cigarette right out of his hand. He’d always pretend to complain that she was too nosy. But truthfully, when she stepped in to take care of him like that, his heart felt warm. This time, though, he’d been waiting forever. The cigarette had almost burned down to his fingertips—and still, she didn’t say a single word to stop him. She just took a step back, staring at him with distant, guarded eyes, like he was nothing more than a stranger who had nothing to do with her anymore. The thought made his chest tighten with panic. But more than anything, it filled him with fury. And bitterness. He wasn’t used to showing weakness in front of her, but as the burning ash singed his finger, he finally rasped out, “I’m smoking.” She stepped back again.The once-soft, sweet face now looked colder and more detached than ever. “John, we broke up a long time ago. Whether you smoke or not, what’s it got to do with me? I’ve got things to do, so don’t block my car and waste my time.” Whether he smoked or not… what did it have to do with her? The burn on his fingertip felt like it pierced straight into his heart, making it hard to breathe. He crushed the cigarette underfoot and stood in silence for a while before finally speaking again, voice low and tired. “You’re mad at me because of that photo Elsa sent you, right? She already explained it to me. She didn’t mean to send it. She just panicked. She’s scared I won’t be there when her time comes. She wasn’t thinking straight—that’s why she sent that kind of photo. That night… I didn’t touch Elsa. Lily, it was just a misunderstanding. How long are you going to keep blowing this out of proportion?” Seriously, Lily thought John should be a stand-up comic. What a waste of talent not doing comedy. He was always great at twisting the facts. The real issue wasn’t that Elsa panicked and sent a photo.The real issue was that he kissed Elsa—kissed that part of her. Misunderstanding? She’d already seen him wrapped around a half-naked Elsa. If that wasn’t real, what was? She didn’t love him anymore. Honestly, even if she caught him and Elsa in bed, she’d feel like she’d just watched a live-action film. She was just tired of being pestered by him. That’s all. Taking a deep breath, she said, “John, how many times do I have to say it before it gets through your head? I don’t love you. I don’t want you. I’m not throwing a fit. I just want you to leave me alone. I don’t care whether you slept with Elsa or not. Honestly, I think you and she are a perfect match—one scumbag, one slut. You two deserve each other. You feel bad for Elsa? You can’t bear to disappoint her or see her hurt? Then go stay with her. Marry her. Just stop coming back to disgust me! I’m sick of being grossed out by the two of you!” “Lily!” The sharpness in her voice, that defiant attitude—it made him livid.And everything she just said felt like a knife in the chest. He especially hated how she kept lumping him and Elsa together. He was her boyfriend. “Get away from my car!” Lily didn’t flinch at the icy rage pouring off him. She marched right up and shoved him hard. “John, if you keep stalking me and messing up my life, I will call the police!” After getting in the car and slamming the door shut like she never wanted to see him again, John’s eyes turned even colder. “You’re running off to see some other guy, aren’t you?” “None of your damn business!” None of his damn business… His eyes flared with fury, but the coldness rolling off him could freeze bone. He had come today because he missed her. He wanted to make up.He wanted to bring her home. But this rebellious, ungrateful attitude of hers—it was infuriating. Still, he remembered how she’d carefully kept the silver bracelet he made her. How much she treasured that little box they buried under the albizia tree. She couldn’t really be willing to let go. She was just too proud to make the first move. After today, he wouldn’t contact her again. She loved him so much—he wanted to see who would cave first after a little silence. “Fine. I won’t stick my nose in your life anymore. Lily, I’m changing all the locks and codes at home. Don’t ever come back.” He tossed those words at her coldly, then got in his car and drove off. “Ugh, gross.” Lily rolled her eyes with a huff. Being harassed by John again today had totally ruined her mood. But then she saw a message from Elias—and just like that, her smile returned, bright and soft.She was about to meet Elias. That made everything better. Lily had always been punctual. Whenever she made plans to meet someone, she made a point of arriving early. They’d agreed to meet at a café at seven, and she got there by six-thirty.