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    Connor stood in front of the wardrobe mirror, adjusting his tie with a slight smirk on his face. His


    eyes approved of the reflection. After a moment of hesitation, he put the tie down and picked up an


    everyday one he usually wore.


    Hearing the door close, Cam stealthily looked up and noticed he hadn’t worn the tie she gifted


    him, feeling a slight pang of


    disappointment.


    Her eyes seemed to possess x–ray vision, piercing through his crisp white shirt to the sculpted


    chest beneath. It briefly ovepped with the memory from that night, causing her ears to flush red


    and her mind to buzz.


    She quickly lowered her head, pinching her thigh hard.


    A wave of pain brought her back to reality, and when she looked up again, Connor was neatly


    dressed, sitting across from her.


    The only sound at the dining table was the clinking of cutlery. Even David noticed how unusually


    quiet Cam was today.


    The awkward atmosphere lingered until Cam sat at her desk at work. The busy workload helped


    her push the morning’s events to the back of her mind.


    Time seemed to be powered by a high–speed motor, spinning rapidly.


    It was dark by the time the boss left work, and finally, Cam did too.


    In the twilight, the outlines of skyscrapers were clearly visible, highlighted by gentle lighting.


    Cam sat in the passenger seat, quietly watching the bustling traffic outside, while Connor’s


    slender fingers tapped away on his tablet,


    replying to emails.


    Buzz, buzz, buzz…


    The vibration from Cam’s phone in her bag broke the silence. She immediately grabbed it and


    turned it off.


    Looking up at the rearview mirror, she locked eyes with Connor, whose dark eyes still held a hint of


    warmth. After a few seconds, Connor looked away and continued with his work.


    The buzzing sound resumed.


    “Take it,” Connor said, not looking up from his tablet.


    Hesitant, Cam answered the call, “Mom…”


    Connor’s eyes shifted slightly.


    Cam frowned slightly, “I don’t want to go. Can you bring a gift to Grandma…”


    The conversation on the other end dragged on, and Cam finally responded weakly, “Okay, I know.


    I’ll go…”


    After hanging up, Cam leaned her head against the car window, her mood low.


    The car fell silent again. Connor hesitated, but ultimately didn’t ask her. He wanted to say, “Are you


    alright?”


    On the weekend, Cam headed to the jewelry store early and stopped at the counter disying


    gold jewelry.


    “Could you show me those earrings?” Cam pointed at a pair patterned with delicate willow


    branches.


    “Miss, you have great taste. These just arrived yesterday. They’re very elegant and dignified,” the


    salesperson said enthusiastically. Cam tried them on. It looked elegant a style her grandmother


    would appreciate.


    “Is there a promotion for these?” Cam asked.


    The salesperson quickly typed on theputer, replying, “The craftsmanship fee can be


    discounted. This will be $3600.8.”


    Cam bit her lip and swiped her card.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    When she drove back to her hometown, the diner was closed. Cam got home, and her mother


    had already packed everything. Today was her grandmother’s birthday. Her grandmother’s deep–


    seated preference for males had made it hard for her mother after her divorce. When her mother


    sought refuge in her parental home, her grandmother refused to take them in, insisting her mother


    humble herself and beg her worthless father not to divorce. Every visit was inevitably filled with


    criticism andints.


    ire hugged her daughter tenderly, “Cam, If Grandma says anything unpleasant, don’t take it to


    heart…