By the time I got back to my rental place, it was nearly 2 p.m.

The driver, who was worried I might get heatstroke, had turned on the air conditioning and even kindly offered me a bottle of water.

But during that time, I still had not received any message from Valery.

I did not ask her about it. Once I got home, I took a shower and collapsed on the bed, feeling completely drained.

Maxim Maynard called me.

"Spencer, you should consider the offer to transfer to the branch office seriously. It's only three years, and you can still come back to visit your girlfriend during vacations."

Maxim was my boss. He had just opened a branch office in the neighboring city and needed a general manager. He had high hopes for me and wanted me to go there to gain some experience.

He had mentioned it to me before, but I had not agreed because I could not bear to leave Valery.

When I did not respond, he continued.

"When you come back, you will have a higher salary. If you're worried I'm just making empty promises, we can sign a contract."

Valery and I had met in our freshman year, and now it had been two years since we graduated.

We had been together for six years.

In the month leading up to graduation, our classmates were all making plans for their future. Some were talking about "taking over the family business", others about "starting their own companies", or "going to grad school". But I just said happily.

"I want to be with Valery forever."

During the past six years, I had given her everything.

But she still did not care about me at all.

Otherwise, why would she disregard me?

I finally spoke, "No problem, Maxim. I'll do it."

Maxim's excited voice came through the phone.

"That's settled, then! I don't have anyone else in mind if you don't go.

"Well, as for that senior management certification exam the company signed you up for, you'd better prepare well and pass it!"

Just hearing about exams made my scalp tingle.

I could barely scrape by with a passing grade by studying in an online course and doing some practice tests, but the process was grueling.

I consulted several training institutions and finally chose one with a high pass rate, and then registered for an account on a practice test app.

Using my brain was exhausting, especially when I had to stay mentally focused.

I did not know how much time had passed before I could not take it anymore and slumped over my desk.

Half-asleep, I heard the door open and the sharp click of high heels on the floor.

"Spencer..." Valery called out a few times from the doorway, but there was no response.

She shoved open the half-closed door of my room with her bag and saw me dozing off, which made her even angrier.

"Spencer!"

I twisted my neck and sat up. "What's wrong?"

Seeing my reaction, Valery hesitated for a moment and then threw her bag on the floor.

Who knew what she was mad about this time?

Maybe it was because I had not messaged her after coming back, and she was frustrated that she could not control me.

"Why didn't you respond to my messages? What have you been doing?"

I picked up my phone and saw a few missed calls, all from her.

But by then, it was already past 10 p.m.

"Brock was in a bad mood and got drunk. No one was there to take care of him, so I went to check on him..."

I did not say anything. I just turned around and plugged in my phone, which was about to die.

"Why are you so petty? Nothing is going on between me and him!"

"That's none of my business."

I yawned and laid back down on the bed. "It's late. I'm exhausted. If there's nothing else, I'm going to sleep."

She rolled her eyes at me. "Spencer, is this really necessary? Let's talk about this!"

"Are you alright?" My indifference left Valery a bit stunned.

She stomped her foot but did not know what else to say.

This time, she was the one at a loss. Before, it had always been me who was left flustered by her scolding.

"Get some rest. Well, please close the door on your way out."

I turned over and pulled the blanket over my head, ignoring her.

"How dare you, Spencer!" she snapped before storming out, slamming the door behind her.

Even with the blanket over my head, I heard a loud bang.

I knew exactly why she was angry.

It was nothing more than the fact that she had taken the initiative to reconcile, but I did not play along and made her feel humiliated instead.

But so what? All I wanted was a good night's sleep.

In the morning, I was jolted awake by my alarm. When I went to the living room to get some water, there were several dishes on the table, all smelling good.

"Spencer, happy anniversary for our six years together," Valery said, sitting at the table.

I could not help but laugh inwardly.

Well, Hell will freeze over.

So Valery did remember that I went to Los Angeles to celebrate our sixth anniversary.

Six years ago, around this time, Valery became my girlfriend and told me she hoped that one day we could go to Los Angeles together.

"I didn't go with you that day for a reason. Brock was dumped by his ex-girlfriend, and he was so upset that he drank himself into a stomach perforation. I was afraid something would happen to him.

"He can't handle spicy or stimulating foods, so I cooked something light for him.

"Don't overthink it.

"I was just in too much of a hurry yesterday..."

I did not respond, just pulled out a chair, and sat down.

"Thanks for your breakfast. Much appreciated."

I picked up my knife and fork and started eating on my own.

This anniversary no longer mattered to me. I had not had a proper meal in days from all the traveling, so this was just a chance to eat.

"It's pretty good."

Valery took a deep breath as if trying to control her emotions.

"Can't you talk to me properly?"

I took another bite, my mind solely focused on finishing the meal. Once I swallowed the food in my mouth, I finally replied.

"It doesn't matter. It's not like it has anything to do with me anymore. I don't care."

"What do you mean..."

I picked up my glass and took a sip of water. "It's not a big deal. You two grew up together. Helping him out when something happens isn't much of an issue."

She lowered her head, looking a bit hurt. When I finished eating and started to clear the dishes, she immediately stepped in to take over.

"Spencer, my friends are having a get-together tonight, and they all want to bring their boyfriends..."