On the following day of Verena's hospitalization, Stefan called her. "Where did you go? I bought your favorite cake, but I didn't see you when I got to your place."

Verena replied flatly, "I'm sick and in the hospital."

After asking for the address, Stefan hurried over.

He arrived with a thermal container, and he looked as gentle as ever. "I especially bought some soup for you. It's good for your stomach."

Verena looked at the soup Stefan handed over and felt it was laughable.

It was like giving a small consolation after a big disappointment. It was no different from taming an animal.

For so many years, she had been fed with such "sweet treats," so she lost herself and forgave his neglect and betrayal again and again.

Stefan always hurt her and then used a bit of insignificant kindness to make amends. So she always had illusions until she was hurt again.

She didn't want to continue like that.

Verena lifted her head and met Stefan's gaze.

Her voice was soft but unusually firm. "Stefan, let's break up."

Stefan's hand froze mid-air. He frowned in disbelief. "Why? Just because I didn't pick you up at the airport yesterday?"

In fact, Verena had many things she wanted to share with him. She wanted to tell him about how desperate she felt when she was shivering at the airport, how lonely she had been when she was left alone on her birthday, and how helpless she was when she was abandoned at a service area on New Year's Day.

But she had voiced her grievances countless times, only to be met with endless arguments.

For the last time, she wanted to keep some dignity and avoid another quarrel.

So she nodded and said calmly, "You are right. It's because you didn't pick me up at the airport."

Stefan's expression darkened. "Verena, how can you be so inconsiderate? I had important things to do. I didn't deliberately refuse to pick you up. "Forget it. You're upset right now, and I don't want to argue with you. Come to see me when you've thought things through."

After a pause, Stefan added, "I hope it won't take too long."

With that, he turned and left.

Verena shouted, "I'm serious."

But Stefan didn't look back and walked straight out of the hospital room.

Shortly after Stefan left, Verena's boss, James Norris, called her. "Verena, I've heard you're in the hospital. Is it serious? Don't worry about work. Focus on getting better now."

Verena responded, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Norris. The doctor says it's a stomach bug, and I'll just need a few days on a drip."

Then she tentatively asked, "Mr. Norris, about the overseas assignment you mentioned before, is it still possible for me to apply?"

James was clearly stunned at the other end of the line. He sounded surprised. "Why did you change your decision? I remember you said last time that you had someone you cared about here, so you didn't want to leave."

Verena replied softly, "I did have someone I couldn't bear to leave, but now the situation has changed."

James sensed her sadness and also the resolve in her voice.

He said, "It's great that you've come to this decision. The position is a level higher than your current one, and the salary is twice what you're earning now. It is an opportunity that many employees would fight to get. I'll start the process for you right away. You prepare yourself and go there in a month."

Verena said sincerely, "Thank you, Mr. Norris."

After hanging up, Verena felt a sense of clarity.

It was not as difficult as she had imagined to start a new life.

Verena stayed in the hospital for three days. After she was discharged, she began sorting through her belongings.

She packed what she needed into a suitcase to take with her. The rest she planned to give away or simply discard.

There were still some of Stefan's things at her place. She put all of them into a large cardboard box.

Her movements were swift and decisive without hesitation.

Once she finished, she sent Stefan a message on WhatsApp. "I've packed up your things. Are you coming to pick them up, or should I send them over?"

Stefan quickly replied, "I'll come over this evening."

That evening, as Verena was about to have dinner, the electronic lock on the door beeped in alarm.

Soon after, the doorbell rang urgently.

Verena opened the door to find Stefan standing outside. He was unsightly.

"Why couldn't I open the door with the code? Did you change it?" Stefan asked.

"We're no longer in a relationship, so it's not right for you to still have access to my place," Verena replied.

She then pointed to the large box by the door and continued, "You don't need to come in. All your things are here. You can just take them."

Before Stefan could respond, Noreen peeked her head out from behind him. "I heard you and Stefan had a quarrel. I guess you must have misunderstood him and me, so I came to clarify. We really have nothing going on. Stefan just feels sorry for me. I'm a divorced woman. How could I possibly be worthy of him?"

Noreen's words were pitiful, and she seemed to have suffered a great injustice.

Verena looked at her coldly and felt sick.

Over the years, Noreen had repeatedly used her fragile appearance to gain Stefan's sympathy. She had consistently undermined Verena's relationship with Stefan.

Verena said icily, "Noreen, stop acting like the innocent woman in front of me. I'm not falling for it. This is my place, and you're not welcome here."

"What kind of attitude is that, Verena?" Stefan frowned. "Noreen came out of kindness to clear up the misunderstanding. Do you have to be so harsh? You know that she married a loser and that she's already suffering. Why do you have to bring up her painful past and rub salt in her wounds?"

Verena sneered, "Stefan, I knew you were blind. Are you deaf now? When did I mention her marriage? She brought it up herself, didn't she? It happens every time. As long as there's a conflict between Noreen and me, I always make mistakes. I don't want to see either of you anymore. Take your things and leave."

Stefan's face darkened. "Verena, I'm very disappointed in you. I'm going to punish you this time. Give me back the jar of red beans. Until I've calmed down, I won't be adding any more beans to it. I won't let you sneak any in either."

Stefan seemed to think that the jar was his last bargaining chip with Verena.

He believed she would comply with whatever demands he made to keep it.

But he was wrong this time.

Verena pointed at the carton box on the floor and said, "It's already packed. As I said, everything of yours is in the box."

Stefan found the jar, only to discover it was empty.

He looked up sharply at Verena, disbelief in his eyes. "Where are the red beans that were in here?"

Verena said emotionlessly, "They've been turned into some red bean soup, which I ate." She seemed to discuss something trivial.

Stefan was stunned. "How could you? Do you know what those red beans mean?"

Verena said word by word, "I don't want to marry you anymore, so they hold no meaning."

Stefan's chest heaved with anger. He was clearly provoked by Verena's words.

He glared at Verena and said through clenched teeth, "You'll regret this. Verena, you have to know that no one will ever treat you as well as I do."

"Really?" Verena raised her eyebrows, and her gaze was full of relief. "Then let me see if I can live better without you."

Stefan was left speechless. He glared at her before picking up the box and leaving.

Noreen followed him out. As she passed Verena, her previously innocent and fragile facade dropped. Instead, she gave a smug and malicious smile.

She was like a peacock strutting after a win and reveling in her triumph.

Verena couldn't be bothered to look at Noreen's petty satisfaction and slammed the door shut.

Verena's colleagues knew she was being transferred, so they threw a farewell party to bid her farewell.

At the restaurant where the party was held, Verena unexpectedly ran into Stefan and Noreen.

Stefan was momentarily stunned to see Verena, but he quickly walked over to her and said, "Verena, don't get the wrong idea. We're not on a date. We're just here for a class reunion."

Verena replied with a faint smile, "So, you and she are classmates. That's news to me."

Stefan looked embarrassed.

He and Noreen had never attended the same school, not even as alumni.

Noreen looked as innocent as ever. She said, "It's Stefan's class reunion, and they asked everyone to bring spouses. Since you and Stefan have been having a tiff, I came along to make up the numbers so he wouldn't be laughed at."

"That's great," Verena said. She ignored Stefan and Noreen and was about to head to the room she was supposed to be in.

However, Stefan wouldn't let it go. He held onto her arm and said, "Verena, you really misunderstood. There's nothing between Noreen and me. It's been half a month since our last argument. You should be over it by now. Let's make up,"

Stefan pleaded, his eyes filled with anxiety.

But he didn't notice the spiteful glare Noreen shot at Verena as he tried to clear up any misunderstanding about him and Noreen.

Noreen was like a poised snake, ready to strike at any moment.

Just as Verena was about to break free, a piercing scream echoed down the hallway. "Fire!"

Thick smoke followed shortly after, filling the air.

Panic ensued as restaurant guests screamed, cried, and rushed toward the exit in a frenzy.

Tables and chairs were knocked over. The sound of shattering glassware was constant.

In the chaos, Stefan instinctively tightened his grip on Verena's hand. He said anxiously, "Don't panic. Follow me."

Meanwhile, Noreen suddenly screamed and collapsed to the floor.

She cried hysterically, and her voice was louder than the chaos of the fire. "Stefan, I can't move. My leg is cramping. I'm so scared..."

Stefan immediately stopped in his tracks.

He rushed to Noreen instantly, crouched down, and lifted her in his arms.

Noreen wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder.

Then, she suddenly raised her head and flashed a triumphant and malicious smile at Verena.

Stefan carried Noreen toward the exit without a glance back at Verena.

He was oblivious to the fact that as they passed by her, Noreen took advantage of the chaos to shove Verena hard.

Verena stumbled to the floor. Right where flames had just ignited, the fire quickly caught her skirt.

Instinctively, she tried to pat out the flames on her leg, and her fingers burned with pain.

Fortunately, the firemen arrived in time to extinguish the flames on her.

Verena was helped to the open space outside the restaurant. Her hands and legs were swollen and blistered.

Medical personnel crouched in front of her and treated her wounds. The antiseptic's sharp sting caused her to gasp.

Her phone rang repeatedly, but she was in no condition to answer.

"Verena, there you are."

She looked up to see Stefan.

"I've been searching for you everywhere. Why didn't you answer my calls? I was so worried about you. How did you get injured? You were too careless."

Verena replied softly, "I was injured because Noreen pushed me into the fire. Would you believe my words?"

Stefan immediately furrowed his eyebrows. "Verena, I know you're upset because you're hurt, but you can't take it out on Noreen. She wouldn't harm a fly. How could she intentionally hurt you? You can't accuse her just because you have a bias against her."

Verena laughed, though tears began to fall.

She said, "Stefan, haven't you always wanted to know why I wanted to break up with you? Look, that's the reason. In your eyes, no matter what happens, you will always protect Noreen, who always seems the weak one. And you always blame me for making a fuss over nothing and ignore me. We're destined not to work out."

Stefan's eyes were filled with panic and reluctance. "It's not like that. I only sympathize with Noreen. I've never considered marrying her. I love you. After all these years, can you really break up with me? Tell me what I did wrong, and I'll change."

Verena shook her head. "I love the one who loves me, cares for me, and accepts me. But I don't love the guy who leaves me behind and unconditionally believes another woman. Stefan, we can't go back."

"But I promised you a future." Stefan's voice was choked with emotion. His eyes were locked on Verena as he tried to evoke memories. "We promised to get married, have two adorable children, keep many pets, and travel the world together. We planned so much for the future. Have you really forgotten?"

"Your future plans never really included me," Verena said, closing her eyes tightly.

When she opened them again, there was no longing.

"In your future, there's always a place for Noreen. She needs your protection and care. And I... I'm just someone not as important. I don't care for such a future."