Shirley felt like her heart was in someone else's grip, tightening with every step closer she took.

In the end, she decided against greeting him. After all, their time together had only been a year and a half-a mere blip in the grand tapestry of Abner's eventful life. That brief period was hardly worth remembering. Perhaps Abner had already forgotten about her.

She lowered her eyelashes, planning to quietly slip past him.

But just as she took a step away, she heard his voice.

It had a clarity to it, different from before, yet the way he called her name was still so tender.

"Shirley, are you planning to just walk by without saying hi?"

Shirley froze, her eyes welling up instantly.

Slowly, she turned around and saw Abner leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her.

She tried to muster a smile, wanted to say, "Oh, it's you, Abner. You're back."

But her throat felt choked up, and she couldn't say a word.

She opened her mouth, then pressed her lips together and sighed.

Abner slowly approached.

Shirley felt a shadow envelop her. He seemed taller now, probably around six foot two, standing next to her, an imposing presence.

haven't forgotten me, have you?

she could

about him, but just like that man had said, she and Abner were from two different worlds. No matter how much she

been a

smile. "You here for the

and he

"Yeah."

what else to say, Shirley fell silent until he asked, "Are you married? Should I

not married. Don't even

a moment, then smiled slightly. "Really? I thought you and Mark had

she had spoken to Abner back then, all

up marrying someone else.

let me take you out

Shirley nodded. "Give me a second to grab my purse." Saying that, she

colleagues seemed anxious to see her go, knowing well that tonight's host had invited Shirley with a particular intention in mind. A prominent scholar had taken

seem interested and, after apologizing, left

Abner still waiting in the hallway, she breathed a

another restaurant and ordered some

other for five

much, only mentioning some school events that happened after he aced

Abner seemed disinterested, responding

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