Stephen and Nancy stepped out of the room, and as soon as the door clicked shut, he pulled his arm away from her.


    She simply shrugged, indifferent to his actions.


    As they walked toward the elevator, she casually asked, "So, what''s next for you?


    I saw how badly Tessa was hurt back there. How are you going to deal with this now?"


    Stephen''s lips pressed into a hard line, his hand clenching into a fist at his side.


    He didn''t respond.


    All he could think about was Tessa''s pale face, her eyes full of pain.


    The cruel, insincere words he had spoken to her sliced deeper than he had ever imagined.


    As long as she didn''t ask for a breakup, he had promised he would never leave her.


    When he first said those words, he never imagined that one day he would mock Tessa, asking, "Do you really still believe in such naive promises?"


    ...


    After the men left, the suite fell into a heavy silence.


    Naomi grabbed two bottles of premium red wine from the cab. "Tessa, don''t waste your tears on that jerk. He''s not worth it. Tonight, we''re going to drink it all away. You''re stunning, and youe from a great family-there''s no man out of your league."


    As she spoke, she uncorked the wine. "This world is full of men! I''ll introduce you to a whole line of male models tomorrow-ten if you want!"


    Tessa sat on the couch, her gaze distant and pained, unable to muster any enthusiasm.


    After a few sses, she began to feel light-headed. It was her first time drinking.


    Naomi held a ss of wine in one hand while scrolling through her phone with the other. "Seriously, Tessa, I''ve got so many handsome guys in my contacts. Look at this one-he''s six feet two inches, with an eight-pack. Plus, he''s still in university." She leaned over to show Tessa the photo. "What do you think? Not bad, right?"


    While this guy might not have the same allure as Stephen, he was still a campus heartthrob at their university. More importantly, he was young and full of energy-everything Stephen had lost.


    Just as Naomi was about to mention it, the words caught in her throat.


    She couldn''t bring herself to say Stephen''s name.


    Tessa nced at the photo on Naomi''s phone, a dazed smile slowly spreading


    across her face. "He''s actually pretty cute."


    "Right? I''ve got tons more guys like


    him," Naomi continued, swiping through her phone. "Look at this one-he''s six feet three inches, an athlete with a killer body. His skin''s a bit tanned, but that sun-kissed look gives him a rugged, seductive vibe. Do you want me to set you up with him?"


    Already feeling a bit tipsy from the alcohol, Tessa giggled, answering, "Sure."


    The three women continued to drink and chat, the time slipping by quickly.


    The countdown to the new year began.


    "Ten, nine, eight..."


    They raised their sses, counting down together, "Three, two, one-Happy New Year!"


    ...


    The sky above was lit up with brilliant, dazzling fireworks.


    Below, the crowd was alive with energy.


    Tessa sat cross-legged on the cashmere rug in front of the windows, her bare feet resting on the fabric. With a dazed expression, she watched the fireworks light up the night sky.


    A new year had arrived, making her think, "Stephen, it''s time to let go. In this new


    year, I wish you happiness every day. Goodbye, Stephen."