Chapter 15 Who’s Better
Sarah’s grip on her phone tightened slightly.
After a pause, she answered softly, “That’s not necessary. We’ll see each other naturally once I’m back in Capital City. No need to rush.”
From then on, Sarah didn’t receive a single call–not even from Shane.
On the third day, it was Shane who received a call from the branch office.
“Mr. Shane, Ms. Sarah still hasn’t shown up to work. Is she coming in?”
The call was from the HR manager of the branch.
It had been days since she moved out, and she still hadn’t gone into the office. She was obviously throwing a
tantrum.
Her unexcused absence irritated him.
But he’d been swamped lately. A major industry player was pressuring him, so he’d been pulling out all the stops–schmoozing, networking, strategizing–just trying to stay afloat. He didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with her.
Right then, there was a knock at the door.
The next second, Nora’s warm, smiling face appeared before his eyes.
“Mr. Shane?”
The manager’s voice came through the phone again.
Shane turned his gaze away and replied coolly, “Forget it. Count it as absenteeism. Dock her pay accordingly.”
“Understood.”
He hung up and tossed the phone onto the desk.
Noticing the displeasure on his face, Nora asked curiously, “What’s wrong, Shane?”
“Sarah moved out, but she didn’t go to work at the branch. Didn’t say a word to me, either.” Shane’s expression darkened. “Completely out of line.”
Nora’s lashes fluttered slightly.
She’d known for a while that Sarah planned to resign.
The day they came back from the hospital, she’d quietly snuck into his study and taken the resignation letter
and note.
Which was why, to this day, Shane still had no idea Sarah had quit.
“Sarah’s behavior is definitely inappropriate,” Nora replied, her tone serious. “You were the one who asked her to transfer to the branch, and she’s just ignoring that like it’s nothing. She’s being childish. Don’t worry, Shane. I would never do something like that.”
Shane looked up and met her gaze.
Chapter 15 Who’s Better
A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips, but he didn’t say anything.
He’d known Sarah for years and understood her personality inside and out.
She was probably throwing a fit again, waiting for him to come coax her. But this time, he simply didn’t have the energy.
+8 Pearls
“She wants to make a scene? Let her,” he said coldly. “Once she’s done being mad, she’ll show up at the branch on her own.”
Elsewhere-
That morning, Sarah stood by the large floor–to–ceiling window, staring blankly at the view outside.
It was late autumn now, and the air had begun to chill.
head
She would be heading home to get married soon.
At that moment, her phone rang in her pocket.
She looked down. It was her best friend Lily calling.
Lily was Sarah’s closest friend in Capital City. Three years ago, when Sarah followed Shane to Astrovia, Lily had been the first to object—and the only one who knew the full story. She’d called Shane a total jerk, completely untrustworthy.
But back then, Sarah had been completely wrapped up in Shane’s tenderness and refused to listen.
“Sarah, I ran into your brother the other day,” Lily said curiously. “He said you’re going back to Capital City to get married in a little over twenty days. Is that true?”
“It is.”
A bitter smile touched Sarah’s lips.
“It’s been three years. You finally see him for who he really is,” Lily said calmly. “Did he do something unforgivable to make you this determined?”
“Nora came to Astrovia. They’re living together now. He even kicked me out.”
Her bitter smile deepened.
“He what?” Lily’s voice shot up. “He actually kicked you out?”
Sarah told her everything from beginning to end.
Of all the people in her life, Lily was the one who understood the ins and outs of their relationship best.
“People on the outside see things more clearly,” Lily sighed through the phone. “I was against this from the beginning. Now that you’ve made up your mind to end it, don’t look back, okay?”
“Of course I know that.” A faint chill crept into Sarah’s gaze. “After this period passes, I’ll have one last meal with him. Then it’s over. We’ll have nothing more to do with each other.”
“That’s good to hear. Once you’re back, we’re going out to celebrate.”
D
M
3:52 PM
Chapter 15 Who’s Better
“Thanks, Lily.”
Sarah looked out at the scenery, a soft warmth flickering in her eyes.
Lily chuckled through the phone. “We’re best friends. No need to thank me.”
After hanging up, Sarah’s expression grew somber.
+8 Pearls
Wanting to clear her head, she went out for a walk–and without realizing it, ended up at a private restaurant.
It had been her and Shane’s favorite spot.
It was also where he’d confessed his feelings to her.
Just as she was about to walk past the entrance, she suddenly saw two familiar figures.
Shane and Nora.
Sarah’s steps froze.
She instinctively ducked to the side and watched them from afar.
Nora was drunk, and Shane was holding her up as they headed for the parking lot.
His hand was resting on her waist.
And Nora was leaning into him, deliberately or not.
No matter how you looked at it, it was intimate.
“I told you not to drink so much. Why’d you keep going?” Shane’s voice dropped a few notches, though there was still tenderness in his eyes.
“Shane, I just wanted to help you land that client. Everyone’s been saying I only got in through connections… I can’t accept that. I can’t lose to Sarah…”
“Forget it. Don’t let it bother you.”
“How can I not care?” Nora stopped walking and looked up at him. “Shane, tell me–am I worse than Sarah?”
“You’re great. Everything about you is great.” Shane was forced to stop. “You’re really drunk. Let’s just go home, okay?”
“No. You have to choose.” Nora clung to his arm, her voice insistent. “Between me and her–who’s better?”
