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."

The smell of disinfectant hung in the air like an invisible web, pinning Verena to her hospital bed.

Sunlight streamed through the window. It bathed her in its glow, but it couldn't thaw her cold gaze.

The door opened quietly, and Verena assumed it was the nurse coming to change her dressing, so she raised her bandaged hand.

To her surprise, it was Stefan.

His hair was a bit disheveled, and there were faint shadows under his eyes.

Seeing Verena's injury, he asked cautiously, "How is it? Does it still hurt?"

Verena replied irritably, "I've already said everything I needed to say to you. Just leave. I don't want to see you anymore."

Stefan didn't give up. He said softly, "You're hurt right now, so I understand you're not in the best mood. If you need to vent your anger, I'm willing to do as you like."

Verena urged him to leave and stop wasting time.

Yet, Stefan ignored her words and stubbornly stayed in her room. He occasionally poured her water or adjusted her blanket.

Unfortunately, Verena couldn't move away from him, as her leg was injured. She was helpless against Stefan's stubbornly insistent behavior.

So she stopped insisting, as she knew that Noreen wouldn't allow him to stay with Verena for long.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before Stefan's phone rang several times.

Although Verena couldn't see the caller ID on the screen, she knew it was Noreen calling, as Stefan had set a special ringtone just for her.

Stefan rejected all the calls and eventually muted his phone.

Verena said sarcastically, "You'd better answer her call. Otherwise, she might start panicking when she can't find you."

Stefan looked at Verena with a complex expression and said, "I understand you've felt betrayed and hurt before. Now you're hurt. I promise I'll stay with you."

Verena was tired of exchanging icy glances with Stefan. So she lay down and got some sleep.

Just as she was drifting off, the door burst open. Noreen appeared at the entrance, breathless.

She immediately spotted Stefan by the bed and rushed over.

She grabbed Stefan's arm and asked in a voice filled with accusation and hurt, "Why didn't you answer my calls? Why are you ignoring me? Did Verena say something bad about me and cause you to misunderstand me?"

Stefan frowned and said, "Noreen, don't make a scene here. Verena is still recovering."

Noreen's emotions intensified at his words. Tears flowed even more freely.

She said in an aggrieved tone, "You used to speak to me so gently, but now you're harsh to me because of her."

With that, she brandished the fruit knife in a moment of desperation.

"Stefan, I'm innocent, and I'll prove it to you now."

In a swift motion, she pressed the knife. A bloodstain was left on her wrist.

Stefan reacted quickly. He grabbed her wrist and took the knife away from her grasp.

"Are you out of your mind? Why did you resort to such extremes? We can talk things out." His voice was filled with fear and concern.

Noreen collapsed in Stefan's arms and cried desperately. "I don't want to lose you, Stefan. I really can't live without you... Please don't ignore me."

Stefan looked at Noreen in his arms, who was distraught, then back at Verena, who lay pale on the hospital bed. He was torn by his emotions.

Finally, he sighed and said to Noreen, "Alright. Stop crying. I'll take you home."

Verena leaned against the headboard and calmly watched the scene unfold before her.

She remained silent, and the two left together.

Noreen managed to keep Stefan away for the following week, during which he didn't visit Verena even once.

She almost fully recovered, and the date for her to go to Qoegita was approaching. Verena arranged for her discharge.

Her luggage was already packed, so it didn't take her long to reach the airport.

While waiting for her flight, she noticed an advertisement in the airport.

It was a watch ad that she had planned before.

The ad read, "You don't need to chase the light, for we are all celestial stars."

Coincidentally, it perfectly reflected Verena's current mood.

She had once seen Stefan as a guiding light and always followed in his footsteps.

But Verena now understood that she was a celestial star herself. She didn't need to chase after him.

Throughout her years in advertising, she had numerous opportunities for better career advancement.

Yet, she had stayed in place for Stefan.

Now, she was free from an unrequited love. Her eyes sparkled.

The long-buried ideas were beginning to break through the surface, and she was filled with anticipation, certain that she would soon shine with her own light in the field she was passionate about.

Stefan supported Noreen, who was weak, as they walked out of the hospital. She was still emotional, and she leaned against Stefan's shoulder. Tears kept running down her cheeks.

Noreen clutched Stefan's hand tightly, and her nails nearly dug into his skin.

"Stefan, I was really scared just now. I thought you were going to leave me. I can't live without you..."

Stefan frowned slightly. He was seemingly a bit uncomfortable as Noreen was so intimate with him.

The evening breeze carried a chill, clearing his mind a little bit.

He recalled the scene in the hospital room just now, especially Verena's gaze at him.

It was filled with disappointment, sarcasm, and a kind of estrangement that he couldn't decipher.

A sense of indescribable frustration welled up within Stefan.

He pushed Noreen away and said impatiently, "Alright. Don't overthink it. I'll take you home now."

On their way, Noreen continued to voice her grievances.

"I know Verena is hospitalized, and you need to take care of her. I shouldn't have bothered you. But I'm all alone here and feel out of place in a new city. Besides you, I don't know who else I can rely on."

Stefan listened silently, but he didn't respond.

Memories of his time with Verena over the years floated through his mind.

He knew he had let Verena down, but he couldn't bring himself to reject Noreen's incessant demands.

After dropping Noreen off at her apartment building, Stefan intended to leave.

However, Noreen held his hand and pleaded pitifully, "Stefan, come upstairs for a while. Have a cup of coffee before you go. I'm still a bit scared when I am at home alone."

Stefan wanted to refuse. But when he saw Noreen's reddened eyes and trembling body, the words stuck in his throat.

He nodded and said, "Alright. I'll go up with you, but I will only stay for five minutes."

After they went upstairs, Noreen said, "Let me make you some ginger tea. Wait a moment."

Stefan checked his watch and declined.

But Noreen said, "It's so cold now. You'd better have some ginger tea to warm you up. Otherwise, how will you take care of Verena if you fall ill?"

Stefan softened his heart when he thought about Verena.

He said, "Alright. I'll stay a bit longer."

While waiting for the ginger tea, Noreen took a shower.

When she walked out, she was wearing a cream-colored silk nightgown that revealed her well-proportioned figure.

The ginger tea was ready, and Noreen sat close to Stefan, holding the cup.

"The tea will cool soon. Finish it."

They were too close, and the subtle scent of gardenias mixed with the spicy aroma of ginger tea wafted into Stefan's nose.

Suddenly, he stood up. The abrupt movement caused most of the tea to spill from the cup in his hand.

"Don't act like this. I've told you before. You and I are just friends. I love Verena."

Stefan's tone was resolute and undeniable.

But his words pierced through Noreen's facade like a needle, instantly shattering it.

She asked tearfully, "If you love Verena, why do you keep leaving her for the sake of me? Do you despise me? I've been divorced. I don't have as good an educational background as she has, and my job isn't as respectable as hers." Do you think I'm not good enough for you?"

Stefan replied seriously, "I don't despise you, but I only see you as a friend. Maybe some of my actions have misled you, but I need to clarify that I only want to marry Verena."

"I don't believe it." Noreen suddenly lunged forward and hugged Stefan tightly from behind. "Stefan, I know you have feelings for me. I don't need a title. I can be your secret lover. As long as I can stay around you, I'm willing to do anything. This is my only wish. Please let me have you."

Noreen's cheek pressed against Stefan's back. Her tears soaked through his shirt.

Stefan pried her hands away forcefully and said impatiently, "Noreen, come to your senses. Such thoughts are dangerous and unethical. I'm leaving. Think it through."

"I will die if you leave." Noreen grabbed a fruit knife from the table and held it to her neck.

"Stefan, if you dare step out of this door, I'll end it right now." Noreen's eyes were bloodshot, and she was trembling all over with emotion.

Stefan's heart raced with fear. He quickly stepped forward. But he didn't didn't get too close to Noreen, as he was afraid of provoking her.

"Noreen, don't act impulsively. Put the knife down. I won't leave. I'll stay with you. Alright?"

After Stefan comforted Noreen for a long while, she finally set the knife down.

She continued to cry and refused to let Stefan leave. She threatened that if he walked out, she would kill herself.

Out of options, Stefan reluctantly agreed to stay.