Early morning.

I sat brooding in front of my computer.

Midway through, I went downstairs to grab a bite.

My mom was in the living room watching TV.

Suddenly, a breaking news segment appeared on the screen:

**Breaking News: The Armstrong Corporation announces the engagement ceremony of Mr. Ryker Armstrong and Ms. Sydney Wells, set for mid-next month.**

I froze.

An engagement on a private island?

It seems like a lifetime ago when I clung to Ryker Armstrong so much.

I remember begging him:

“Isn't an island so romantic? Can we have our engagement there?”

He always looked so detached and annoyed.

“Emely, can you stop this?”

“I’m working.”

Seeing him upset, I immediately sat quietly beside him. “Okay, I won’t say anything. You go ahead and work.”

The memory faded.

I snapped back to the present.

My mom noticed me and seemed startled.

“Emely, why are you downstairs?”

“Are you going out? Where to? I can come with you.”

She had already asked someone to retrieve her purse and was searching for the remote to turn off the TV.

Watching her anxious and awkward actions, I understood.

She was just scared that I'd become clingy again, constantly sticking to Ryker Armstrong like glue.

But, Mom, I won’t anymore.

Never again.

"I'm not going out, just came to grab some food."

“What?”

I had already picked up a bottle of juice and turned to head back upstairs.

At the stairs, my mom still looked surprised.

“Emely, you…”

I sniffled.

“Mom, you go ahead and watch TV. I’m going back upstairs to work.”