John Smith showed a touch of courtesy, reaching out to adjust Wendy Lawson's dress and attempting to button it up for her.
"I can do it myself,"Wendy's voice trembled as she spoke.
Her hands fumbled with the tiny buttons, but they were so small and slippery that she couldn't fasten them. In the end, John had to do it for her, his fingers briefly brushing against her skin, creating an awkward yet fleeting moment of intimacy. He apologized once more, his voice steady and calm, as if the incident meant nothing. To Wendy, however, it left her heart in turmoil.
As compensation, he personally called Lawyer Allen Mason to explain the situation regarding Wendy's father. Lawyer Mason, who admired John as a promising young attorney, immediately agreed to meet with Wendy.** After exchanging a few more words, John hung up the phone, his face betraying no emotion, as though helping Wendy's father was just a business transaction.
Sitting behind his desk, John lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around his fingers. He exhaled slowly, watching the smoke dissolve into the air, before addressing Wendy with cold detachment. "Besides helping with your father's case, you can make any other requests you might have,"he said, his tone businesslike, as if the personal connection they once shared no longer existed.
Wendy knew that this would probably be the last time they saw each other. In the past, John might have occasionally thought about her body, but now it was different. He had clearly made up his mind to draw a line between them. His eyes no longer softened when they met hers, and his gestures, once warm, had become mechanical, as if he were going through the motions out of obligation rather than affection.
Wendy, always tactful, forced a casual smile."It was just a fling. I didn't lose anything. I should be thanking you for your help, Lawyer Smith…"The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but she maintained her composure. As she spoke, her nose tingled, but she was determined not to cry in front of him. They weren't even friends anymore, and there was no point in showing weakness.
She said her goodbyes and told him she'd catch a cab home.
John didn't say much. He remained seated, smoking, his gaze dark and unreadable.** His silence was more telling than words, and Wendy felt the distance between them grow insurmountable.
Wendy left his office, the weight of their final encounter pressing heavily on her shoulders. She didn't go home immediately, not wanting to face Aunt Emily's disappointed gaze so soon. As night fell, Wendy walked the city streets alone. The Ferris wheel in the city center lit up in vibrant colors, flashing brightly as couples hugged and kissed beneath it. Wendy stopped and watched quietly, feeling more alone than ever in the bustling city.
The night breeze brushed past her, and tears welled up in her eyes. She wiped them away quickly, not wanting to succumb to the sadness that threatened to overwhelm her. But no matter how hard she tried, the loneliness gnawed at her, reminding her of everything she had lost.
A golden Bentley Continental drove past, and John saw Wendy. She stood beneath the Ferris wheel, gazing up at the stars with a longing, wistful expression. John knew better than to assume she was thinking of him. He knew exactly who she was thinking about.His grip on the steering wheel tightened, but he pressed the accelerator, and the Bentley sped away, leaving Wendy behind.
…
The next day, Wendy went to work at the music academy. The academy was the most prestigious music school in the city, and her colleagues were aware of her family's situation. A few offered her words of comfort, but Wendy smiled faintly, not wanting to burden anyone.She assured them she was fine, though the truth was far from it. She had grown adept at hiding her emotions, concealing the pain that simmered just beneath the surface.
At 10 a.m., a delivery arrived for her. The courier said it was from Lawyer Smith. Wendy's heart sank. She opened the package to find a velvet box. Inside the box was a dazzling diamond necklace. It sparkled brilliantly and was clearly expensive. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the necklace, its brilliance mocking her current situation.
One of her colleagues whispered to her, "This brand's necklaces, with diamonds of this size, must be worth at least a million." The number didn't shock Wendy, but the thought behind the gift did. John had sent her something so extravagant, yet he hadn't left any message, any contact information, as if to say this was the final parting gift—a silent goodbye.
Wendy didn't want to accept it. But the delivery slip didn't have John's contact information, which was a clear indication that he didn't want to see her again. She felt a sting of bitterness at how easily he could close the door on their connection.
After work, Wendy went to Yingjie Law Firm. She handed the velvet box to the receptionist, asking her to pass it along to Lawyer Smith. The receptionist, though confused, agreed, her brow furrowing as she eyed the expensive jewelry.
Just as Wendy was about to leave, **John Smith walked out with a young woman by his side. Wendy had seen her in magazines before. Isabella Smith—the darling of the Smith family and John's only sister.** Isabella was everything Wendy wasn't—young, carefree, and completely adored by her family.
Six months ago, Isabella had returned from studying abroad and had quickly begun dating Owen Brown. At that moment, Isabella was clinging to her brother's arm, playfully begging, "Come on, I've asked you several times! Can't you meet Owen Brown already?"Her voice was light and teasing, completely unaware of the effect her words had on Wendy.
John, with little interest, brushed her off casually. Isabella pretended to be upset, playfully arguing with him, but it was obvious to anyone watching that the siblings were very close.Wendy watched quietly from a distance, her heart heavy.
She didn't hate Isabella. If anything, she felt a twinge of self-mockery. Seeing such a close-knit sibling relationship, why had she ever believed that John Smith would go out of his way to help her father's case? Wendy quietly slipped away, not wanting to intrude on their familial bond.
But John had noticed her. After a few more words with his sister, he made his way to the front desk. The receptionist handed him the velvet jewelry box immediately. "Lawyer Smith, the lady from earlier left this for you."
John took the box and gave a polite nod before returning to his office. He casually tossed the box into a drawer and, for a long time, didn't think about Wendy Lawson. **She faded from his mind, only resurfacing when his body needed satisfaction.