Chapter 23
Back at her desk, Elena noticed a new message on her phone. Picking it up, she saw it was from
Alexander.
“Sorry about this morning. We were photographed by paparazzi, and I’ve already asked my team to have those gossip articles removed, and the photos will be taken down from all platforms. If it caused you any trouble, contact me anytime and I’ll handle it.”
Judging from the news, it was obvious the paparazzi had been sneaking shots of him, and Elena had been unintentionally dragged into it because of him.
Feeling a little guilty, he sent her the message.
She replied immediately, “It’s fine. No trouble at all, don’t worry.”
Although Elena had felt a flicker of annoyance when she first saw the photos taken without her knowledge, it was directed at the paparazzi-Alexander hadn’t done anything wrong.
After she sent him a message, he didn’t reply, probably because he was busy. Elena didn’t mind and
turned her attention back to her own work.
Although the project was already in its final stages, there were still plenty of tasks to handle, and with
other miscellaneous work on her plate, Elena stayed busy until nightfall..
When she finally looked up from her computer, the office was empty-her colleagues had already left.
She shut down her computer and began packing up her things to leave.
Just as she finished, the door to Justin’s office opened.
He stepped out, his gaze falling on her with a warm smile, just like in the early days of their relationship.
“Lena, heading out?”
Elena frowned slightly. She had thought Justin had already left, especially since Nadine wasn’t at her own desk.
“Yeah.”
Seeing her cold expression, Justin assumed she was still upset.
Softening both his expression and tone, he walked up to her and produced a small, elegant box as if by magic.
“A gift for you.”
Elena didn’t reach for it, so Justin opened the box himself, Inside was a delicate pair of sapphire earrings.
“Do you like them?” he asked.
Elena stared silently at the sapphire earrings.
“You don’t?” Justin was taken aback. “I remember in college, I gave you a pair of sapphire earrings. You loved them and wore them all the time.”
Elena smirked slightly, tucking her hair behind her ear to fully reveal her earlobe.
“I haven’t worn earrings in nearly two years. My piercings have closed.”
Justin froze in place. He hadn’t realized Elena hadn’t worn earrings for so long. They spent so much time together, yet he hadn’t noticed…
“I… I’m sorry, I didn’t notice,” he said, unable to hide the embarrassment on his face.
“We can go get them re-pierced when you have time.”
“No need,” Elena said, her gaze coldly sweeping past the sapphire earrings. “I don’t like sapphire earrings
anymore.”
“That’s fine. Whatever you want, I’ll get it for you,” Justin said, putting the earrings away. “I also reserved a
table at your favorite restaurant. Let’s go for a candlelit dinner.”
“I’m not hungry.”
Elena refused, but Justin didn’t give up. “Lena, I know I’ve been neglecting you a bit lately because of
Nadi, and that’s why you’re upset. But trust me, I care about you, and we haven’t had a proper candlelit
dinner in a long time. Let’s make tonight a real date, okay?”
Deep down, Elena was already very impatient. But when she looked up and saw Justin’s face, filled with
the same deep affection as before, she suddenly felt calm.
“Fine, let’s go,” she said.
She had had enough of his pretenses. Some things needed to be said..
Seeing her agree, Justin’s face lit up with a smile. He knew Elena was easy to pacify.
After they finished the candlelit dinner, he planned to have flowers and other gifts sent over, and Elena probably wouldn’t hold it against him for leaving her earlier to rush to Nadine’s side when that out-of-
control truck came barreling toward her.
Justin didn’t call Rowan-he drove them to the restaurant himself. Along the way, he occasionally brought up memories from their college days, while Elena remained silent.
Those memories used to feel sweet when she thought of them, but now they left her feeling empty.
When they arrived at the restaurant, the server led them to a table by the window on the second floor.
It was the spot they used to sit at.
Soon after they were seated, several servers began bringing out dish after dish, each colorful, fragrant,
Chapter 23
and perfectly presented.
3/3
“Lena, I ordered these ahead of time. They’re all your favorites,” Justin said with a smile. “Oh, and there’s orange juice. It should be arriving soon.”
Elena scanned the table. These were indeed the dishes she used to enjoy, but now they didn’t appeal to her at all. Even the orange juice she used to enjoy now felt overwhelmingly sweet.
“Come to think of it, we’ve never had a proper meal together since we got married…”
Elena suddenly interrupted, “Justin, let’s break up.”
Justin froze.
“Or maybe I should say… Let’s get a ‘divorce.””
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