Alex spoke with conviction, and I couldn''t help but waver, especially at his pitiful expression.


    "It''s also a chance for you to take a break." He lowered his gaze. "I was too abrupt in expressing my feelings before. I didn''t consider your position or emotions. That


    was my mistake. But Serena, I won''t pressure you anymore. Since you''ve already made up your mind... From now on, we''ll just be siblings. I''ll respect your decision."


    I took a deep breath. I could hear the restraint in his voice just as I was suppressing my own emotions.


    "Alright?" His eyes held a vulnerable plea.


    I nodded. "Fine."


    Julian had been hospitalized for an entire month before he finally realized that staying here wouldn''t do him any good-it was just a waste of money. Reluctantly, he decided to be discharged.


    But he wasn''t leaving willingly.


    "Julian!" A coquettish voice called from outside. Julian''s eyes lit up with surprise, but the light in them instantly dimmed when he saw who walked in.


    "Why are you here?" he asked, his voice t.


    "What kind of question is that?" Elena pouted. "Why wouldn''t Ie? I''ve been visiting you all this time, haven''t I?"


    He forced an awkward smile. "I meant... you finally found a job. You didn''t have toe if you were busy. I''m fine here."


    Her mood shifted instantly, and she happily clung to his arm. "Julian, so you were worried about me? Don''t worry! How could I not be here for something as important as your discharge?"


    In the past, seeing Elena act like this would have softened Julian''s heart and filled him with excitement. But now, it just felt artificial and exhausting.


    If it were Serena, she would never act like this. She always carried herself with grace andposure, never disying such an affected disy.


    As he thought this, he unintentionally said it out loud.


    "What did you just say?" Elena stared at him in disbelief. "I''m standing right here, and you say something like that?"


    He realized his slip, but he only felt irritated instead of guilty.


    Her usual tacties-crying, throwing tantrums, and ying the victim-had long worn him out. She seemed to have also realized something because after letting out a cold scoff, she merely turned and stormed out of the ward.


    "Julian, men like you always wanting what you can''t have will never find happiness."


    With that parting curse, she left the hospital.


    When she returned to the office, she ran into her boss, Carl Dyer, who gave her a cold look. "Elena, you''ve only been here for a month, but you sure have much going on. You''re always running off somewhere."


    Elena was already fuming from earlier and was about to snap back when she caught how he looked at her.


    She understood immediately.


    Clearing her throat, she softened her tone and said with a delicate sweetness, "Oh,e on, Mr. Dyer. I just had a little personal matterto handle. Don''t be mad, alright? Next time, I''ll be sure to ask for leave properly."


    Carl chuckled. "That''s more like it. You''ve been here a while now but haven''t


    made much progress. Want me to show you a shortcut?"


    She looked at him, puzzled.


    "There''s a dinner gathering tonight," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "All important clients of ourpany will be there. Promotions and raises won''t be a problem if you can keep them entertained."