She had likely seen that revealing email, yet her reaction, like before, was minimal. Dn couldn''t quite figure out what she was thinking.


    Perhaps it was the impending topic of conversation that made him nervous. Dn unconsciously loosened his tie, his prominent Adam''s apple bobbing.


    "To be honest, I also used to think you weren''t over him, and that''s why you hadn''t started a new rtionship."


    His words didn''t surprise Noreen.


    She figured many people probably thought the same thing.


    After all, everyone had seen how devoted she had been to Seth.


    And it was a full seven years of heartfelt dedication. How many people could truly let


    go of something like that so easily?


    If it were the old Noreen, she would have thought it impossible too.


    In the period right after they broke up, she had experienced strong withdrawal symptoms.


    After all, over the past seven years, his presence had seeped into every crevice of her life.


    The sudden removal of that presence caused her body and emotions to instinctively resist.


    The push and pull, the reluctance, the indecision...


    These feelings were like a tide, receding only to surge back again.


    She had once berated herself for herck of resolve, but after sorting through her thoughts, she realized it wasn''t ack of resolve, but simply her brain''s ''habitual focus''.


    For seven years, she had made Seth the center of her universe.


    After leaving him, she needed time to rebuild a new axis centered on herself.


    Some people choose to meet someone new, using a new rtionship to overwrite the past.


    Others throw themselves wholeheartedly into their work, finding their sense of self- worth there.


    Noreen was thetter.


    In those seven years, she had already proven how deeply she could love.


    Now, it was time to prove how strong she could be.


    "You know, when a person has given their absolute all, they can be quite ruthless


    when it''s over," Noreen said after a moment of thought.


    Because she had no regrets about the rtionship, she could let it go.


    "That''s good to hear," Dn said, clearly pleased.


    "Besides, love isn''t exactly a necessity," Noreen added, making her stance clear.


    Dn was at a loss for words.


    He shouldn''t have praised her so soon.


    "You don''t have to be so absolute


    about it. You should look around you


    more you never know the right


    person might be right under you


    nose, Dn said, boldly dropping a hint.


    In fact, it was more of a direct statement than a hint.


    What was bound to happen had finally happened.


    Even before seeing that email, Noreen had guessed Dn''s feelings.


    After the email, she knew this day woulde sooner orter.


    "Are you talking about yourself, Senior?" Noreen asked, meeting him head-on.


    Dn cleared his throat. "Since


    you''ve figured it out, I''ll just be direct.


    When sent you that email eight


    years ago, I was waiting for your answer."


    "It might be eight yearste, but I don''t think it''s toote."


    "So, can you tell me, what is your answer?"


    Time seemed to stand still in that moment, stretching out into an eternity.


    A wave of emotion washed over him, and Dn was so nervous his fingertips were tingling.


    Noreen considered it seriously.


    Putting everything else aside, Dn was indeed a very suitable partner.


    Perhaps, she could give it a try.


    So she opened her mouth to speak.


    But just as the words were about toe out, Dn''s phone rang, shattering the tense atmosphere.


    He


    ay didn''t want to answer, but


    saw the caller ID, he


    apologetically. "I''m so ple


    to take this content belongs


    Noreen felt a strange sense of relief. "Of course."


    Dn answered the phone, and after listening for a few moments, his face changed drastically.


    The conversation could not be continued, and Noreen never had the chance to give her answer.