Chapter 24

Chapter 24:

As Bryan sipped his coffee, he noticed that Eileen had succumbed to sleep at the table. Her black hair framed her face, while a pen dangled from her hand, its tip just grazing her skin, leaving a faint mark.

Bryan called for a brief recess. “Let’s take a five-minute break.”

He rose, gently picked Eileen up, and laid her down on the bed. Drawing the blanket over her, he carefully removed the ink from her nose, a tenderness in his actions that went unnoticed by himself.

Unaware of how long the meeting had stretched on, Eileen fluttered her eyes open to the light washing over her. The laptop on the coffee table was closed, and Bryan had left. Murmurs and distant laughter drifted in. Eileen checked the time and realized that she only had an hour left before returning to work.

She swiftly prepared herself to face the day and began to organize her departure.

Amid the light-hearted banter in the park, Eileen searched for Bryan, her attention interrupted by Jacob’s urgent voice from behind.

“Eileen, you need to get to Bryan’s suite immediately. There is a situation I’m not equipped to handle,” Jacob said.

Eileen left her belongings with her colleagues and made her way to the top floor. The elevator doors opened to a quiet hall, broken only by muted weeping from Bryan’s room.

The door stood ajar, revealing Bryan’s silhouette framed by the slender arms of a woman clutching him. His stance was passive, and Vivian’s sobs filled the room.

“Bryan, have your feelings for me changed? I’ve tried so hard. What’s causing this distance? You’ve been deliberately avoiding me. You’d rather spend the night working in a room with Eileen than come back to the room with me…”

Bryan kept his composure. “Calm down. I had a meeting last night.”

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“Don’t deceive me. Who could possibly force you into a meeting? You did that on purpose! Is this about what happened six years ago when I left? Are you still upset about that? I know I was wrong; I’m ready to give up everything for you. Please, let me be with you. If not, I don’t know how to make it right!”

Vivian’s grasp around his waist tightened.

To Eileen, it felt like those hands weren’t just clutching Bryan’s waist but also her heart. Why else would she feel this awful?

was just the beginning. Bryan’s next words sliced through her heart like a sharp blade, leaving

don’t need you to make

think I don’t know… There’s another woman, right? Who is she? Have you fallen for her?” Vivian

narrowed slightly, his words gentle as he spoke. “No one can compare to you. If I

process their conversation. Vivian seemed deeply touched, convinced of Bryan’s considerate gesture

the realization hit hard—she was merely a tool to satisfy his needs in Bryan’s

already bruised heart. She had hoped, perhaps naively, that after three years, she

days, when Bryan purposely distanced himself from Vivian, Eileen had dared to hope she was special to

the door to the hallway, sunlight flooded in,

broke through her thoughts. “The bus is

stick to the plan and board the bus. Go ahead

as she hurried off. Eileen steadied herself with a deep breath, taking two steps

person towered over her. Their collision sent her elbow crashing into the wall, a sharp

Huey’s apology came swiftly. Suddenly,

of familiarity, a sound Eileen had heard several times over the past few days. Rubbing her throbbing elbow, Eileen looked up. The young man before her sported a bright yellow windbreaker and

“You’re…” Eileen began.

he replied, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. He hadn’t intended to reveal his identity here, but his slip of the

surprise was evident as she rubbed her sore arm, mustering a strained smile. “What a

well.” Huey twirled the car keys in his

elevator. Vivian had reverted to her delicate, charming

his gaze in Eileen’s direction. Eileen swiftly lowered her

on the offer,” Eileen replied to Huey. “I can compensate you for the

held a hint of offense. “It wouldn’t sit right to charge you for a lift to Oneland. Plus, if my mom got wind of

give my boss

Huey waved before

from her colleagues and boarded the bus. She saw Bryan, Vivian, and Jacob sitting together. Seeing her, Jacob shuffled to make room. “Feel free to join us here. I’m here to take

with you. However…” Her gaze shifted to Bryan. “Mr. Dawson, I bumped into a friend. I won’t be taking the bus back. Just thought I’d let you

her lowered eyes, sensing something amiss, but he didn’t pry. “Alright,”

bus, Eileen waited with her luggage at the intersection

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