At once, the room plunged into a suffocating silence.

Laughter vanished on the spot, with no one daring to make a sound.

Shane reached for a napkin and hurriedly dabbed at the water that had splashed near his cufflink.

Ten years earlier—on his first birthday after Melinda disappeared without so much as a goodbye—he had received that very pair of cufflinks.

They had no brand name and weren't worth even a fraction of the cheapest accessory he owned.

He had tried calling Melinda then, but her number was already out of service.

She had simply erased herself from his life, leaving no trace behind.

For an entire decade after that, Shane heard no word from her.

The cufflinks had faded with time, but he never understood why he couldn't bring himself to throw them away.

As Shane was about to say something, Jeff reached out and gave his shoulder a light pat. "Melinda's dead?"

"Yeah," someone answered. "She went overseas after high school. A few years back, there was that plane crash in Buevine. They recovered a violin from the wreckage, and her name was on it. It had to belong to her."

"We don't see these kinds of coincidences every day," another said.

Shane felt his breath hitch.

The private room became so quiet it seemed every inhale and exhale was audible.

Every eye settled on Shane.

His face remained composed, but his fingers trembled uncontrollably.

Jeff lifted his glass, attempting to break the tension. "Alright, enough of that. Let's drink."

For the next hour or so, Shane stayed tucked away at one side of the round table, emptying one glass after another.

The chatter around him dissolved into a dull haze. But inside his head, the sound of a violin played on repeat.

It was obvious to anyone watching that something was wrong with Shane.

Small groups of former classmates leaned together, whispering under their breath.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed, bringing up Melinda in front of Shane?"

"Didn't you hear? She used to go after Shane."

"That wasn't 'going after' him. It was just pathetic. Watch how you talk."

"She really had the nerve. Shane's family already chose his future wife—Averie from the Willis family."

"And look at Melinda. So rundown. Depending on her uncle, yet she actually thought she belonged among high society."

Up on the third-floor open-air terrace, Leanna was deep in conversation with her former boss from the part-time job she'd worked ten years earlier.

She had saved every bit she could from that job to buy the violin, a violin she barely dared touch herself. And yet, to Shane, it had never meant anything at all.

The owner slid a worn black wallet across the counter toward her. "Here. This should be yours. Check and see if anything's missing."

He had already gone through it. Inside were a couple of old photo booth strips from her school years and a few bills folded neatly together.

Leanna accepted the wallet with both hands and went still for a brief second.

She remembered buying it back when she was still in school. Not long after, it had vanished, and no matter how much she searched, she couldn't find it. She never imagined she'd left it behind at the restaurant where she used to work part-time.

She thanked him sincerely and took the wallet with her.

By nine o'clock, Leanna was heading downstairs to leave when a figure suddenly emerged from the corner near the stairwell.

Startled, she stepped back on instinct, only to bump straight into him.

Two identical wallets landed on the floor.

Before she could crouch down, the man bent first, picked up the wallet on the left, and held it out to her.

She lifted her head and met Shane's eyes. They were hazy, dulled by alcohol, and the sharp scent of liquor clung to him.

"Thank you," she said, quickly taking the wallet from his hand.

It hadn't even been that long, yet somehow she had been running into Shane almost every day.

Back when they were together, she hadn't even seen him this often.

Shane seemed completely unaware of her presence. He didn't even show any sign of recognition.

He slipped the wallet on the right into the pocket of his suit jacket and walked off in a hurry. His long strides carried him down the corridor, his figure lengthening into a solitary shadow against the empty hallway.

By the time the sound of his footsteps disappeared, Leanna was still standing there, staring after him, the faint smell of alcohol lingering in the air.

Shane was usually careful and controlled. He rarely drank to excess.

Was anything wrong with him?

When she realized she had started worrying about him again, Leanna gave her head a small shake, pushing the thought aside.

After returning home, she finished getting ready for bed and turned in early.

A knock sounded at the door. Rhonda walked in and casually tossed the wallet onto Leanna's bed. "Melinda, don't leave your wallet by the door."

"Alright, Grandma," Leanna replied, sitting up as she reached for it.

A business card fell out.

Printed on it was "Shane Lloyd, Chief of Breast Surgery."

All of a sudden, Leanna's fingers stiffened.

Shane?

How had Shane's business card ended up inside her wallet?

Her mind jumped back to the moment she'd collided with him at the restaurant. Had they accidentally picked up each other's wallets then?

Still, it made no sense. She couldn't understand why Shane would be carrying the same wallet she'd once bought on impulse from a street stall.

Deciding not to overthink it, Leanna picked up the wallet, ready to set it on the table when a slip of paper fluttered out.

She bent down and retrieved it.

It was a concert ticket from ten years ago, dated just a few days after she had left Clegend.

She hurriedly shoved the ticket back inside the wallet.

She resolved to return the wallet to Shane at her follow-up appointment the next day.

As for her own wallet, there was nothing in it anyway. She decided to let it go.

Leanna dropped the wallet onto the nightstand. It was only then that she noticed the glass bottle filled with small stones sitting beside the lamp.

Perplexed, she asked, "Grandma, why did you bring this bottle back?"

She lifted her hand, intending to toss it into the trash.

Rhonda rushed over and snatched the bottle away. "You can't throw this out. Your grandfather gave it to me."

Clutching the bottle tightly, Rhonda watched Leanna with guarded eyes.

Leanna wanted to explain everything, but seeing that expression, she swallowed her words and chose silence.

Instead, she spoke gently. "Since Grandpa gave it to you, let's put it in the bookcase for now. That way it'll be safe."

Once it was out of sight, it would be easier. She planned to throw it away later, after Rhonda had forgotten about it.

The next day, when it was her lunch break, Leanna hailed a cab and headed to the hospital for her follow-up appointment, which she had booked for the earliest available slot that afternoon.

She had already checked—Shane wasn't scheduled to be on duty that day.

When she arrived, she found the door to Shane's office wide open. She stepped inside quietly.

After confirming no one was there, she closed the door, walked over to his desk, and placed the black wallet on its surface.

Without warning, the office door creaked open, and a low male voice followed. "What are you doing here?"

Leanna's back went stiff instantly.

She turned around to see Shane standing in the doorway, tall and imposing.

"I didn't send you any notice of a follow-up appointment," he said, scowling as he recognized her.

"I won't be free next week, so I decided to come today," Leanna answered, her head lowered.

Earlier, she had inquired at the front desk about changing doctors. The nurse had explained that Shane was in extremely high demand and that patients under his care generally couldn't be transferred.

In an attempt to avoid him, Leanna had deliberately chosen one of his days off, only to discover that he was still at the hospital.

Glancing at her briefly, Shane said, "Wait behind the curtain."

He reached for the wallet and casually slipped it into the suit jacket hanging on the coat rack.

Noticing that Shane hadn't reacted or shown any sign of suspicion, Leanna finally breathed a little easier.

While she remained seated and Shane stayed outside, she hurriedly raised her shirt and took off her bra.

When Shane returned, he was wearing a mask that concealed most of his face. Still, the instant Leanna met his eyes, a shiver crept down her spine.

She closed her eyes reflexively.

As soon as Shane's hand landed on her chest, she clenched the edge of the chair, her fingers digging so hard into the leather that her nails nearly pierced it.

Shane spoke in a calm, level tone. "There's no one else in the department at noon."

It didn't sound like a casual comment to Leanna. It felt more like an interrogation. Why was she here at a time when no one else was around?

Without realizing it, she tightened her grip further, her thoughts spiraling. "Okay," she blurted. "I won't show up at noon again."

Shane didn't say anything else. He finished the examination efficiently and stepped out. Leanna got dressed as fast as she could and went outside to wait while he completed her medical records.

Just then, Shane's phone rang. He glanced at the screen, set his mouse aside, and answered the call.

A woman's soft, pleasant voice spilled from the receiver. "Shane, are you still busy? Your mom asked us to come over for a family dinner at the Lloyd estate tonight."

The moment Leanna heard the voice, her chest constricted.

It was Averie.

Back then, Leanna used to call Shane again and again—sometimes two or three times—before he would finally answer.

She had blamed herself for it, convinced she was being too desperate, interrupting him while he studied. Eventually, she stopped calling unless it was absolutely necessary.

Shane's voice noticeably softened. "I still have a patient here."

"Had anything to eat yet?" Averie asked gently. "If you haven't, I can pick something up from Maple Street and bring it to you."

Leanna turned her face away.

Maple Street was where she used to take Shane back when they were together.

There were a lot of food stalls there—simple, affordable, and all she could manage at the time. She had always felt like she was shortchanging him.

She never imagined that after so many years, he would still go there.

An unfamiliar, faint ache rose quietly in her chest.

"I'll just eat whatever's available in the cafeteria," Shane replied. "I still have a patient, so I'm hanging up now."

He ended the call and glanced at Leanna. "Try not to wear underwire bras too often."

Leanna's cheeks warmed instantly. She brushed her bangs aside and nodded. "Okay."

"Also," Shane continued calmly, "reduce medications that contain estrogen."

She nodded again. "Alright."

As Shane went on with his medical advice, Averie's voice suddenly sounded from outside the door. "Shane."

Leanna raised her head instinctively and looked toward the doorway.

Averie stood there, looking just as she had a few days ago, except now she was holding a lunchbox, her expression noticeably softer.

Leanna dropped her face, pursing her lips, praying that Averie wouldn't recognize her.

Stepping inside, Averie tilted her head slightly. "Leanna? Is that you?"

Leanna's mind blacked out.

Leanna steadied herself and rose to her feet, leaning forward slightly in a polite gesture. "Hello, Ms. Willis."

Averie grinned warmly. "There's no need to be so formal. We're not in a work setting right now."

Leanna managed a smile.

Shane glanced up at Averie. "You know her?"

"Leanna is the project leader for Ethereal Recall. I've been following that project for quite a while now," Averie replied, her tone filled with open admiration. "Shane, how much longer will you be? I brought you lunch. You need to eat on time, or your gastritis will act up again."

Then she turned to Leanna with an apologetic smile. "He's extremely devoted to his work. I'm always reminding him to eat properly."

The intimacy and softness in Averie's voice sent a dull ache through Leanna's chest.

The printer hummed as it finished printing the medical records. Leanna reached out and took the documents.

Her voice was low and restrained. "Dr. Lloyd, I'll be leaving now. Ms. Willis, I won't take up any more of your time."

She left, hurrying toward the elevator.

As Leanna rode the elevator, memories from the past crept in uninvited.

Shane had always struggled with stomach issues. Yet whenever she urged him to eat regularly, it only irritated him. Bringing meals to his place had never even been an option.

She had convinced herself that he was simply worried about their relationship being exposed and the complications that might follow.

Now she understood she had been making excuses for him all along. She had never been someone he intended to acknowledge openly.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding.

Emerging, Leanna immediately saw Jeff among the people nearby.

She quickly turned a corner, blending in with a group of patients as she left.

Although no one from her past could recognize her, she still feared being noticed.

Shane's sudden reappearance in her life had turned what was once carefree into something cautious.

After leaving the hospital, Leanna took the subway back to the office. She had barely settled in after clocking in when Matthew called her into his office.

Matthew sipped slowly at his coffee before speaking. "Leanna, the project has been officially finalized. This is your first assignment during your probation period. If everything moves forward smoothly, I'll recommend you for a permanent position."

The weight that had been on Leanna's heart the whole lunch break finally eased a little. "Thank you, Mr. Wallace. I'll continue to give it my best."

Matthew nodded. "Among all the probation employees, you're the most promising. Today, Ms. Willis specifically requested that you take charge of the coordination. You're articulate, capable, and reliable. I trust you wholeheartedly."

Leanna clasped her hands together. "I appreciate the confidence, but I don't think my experience is quite enough to handle direct coordination with L&W Group all by myself. L&W Group is a big company, and Ethereal Recall is currently one of our company's top-priority projects. I'm concerned that I may not be the most suitable person to take on this responsibility alone."

It felt almost cruel that such a valuable opportunity was tied to Shane and that the person overseeing it was Shane's woman.

In comparison with someone as outstanding as Averie, Leanna couldn't help but feel diminished.

Matthew continued firmly, "You'll be working with Corinne. The two of you will handle it together. Don't turn it down again; chances like this don't come around often."

Leanna didn't dare to refuse any further.

...

After finishing his night shift, Shane returned home to find his mother, Regina Lloyd, waiting for him in the living room.

"I had the maid organize a pile of things you left behind from your school days," Regina said. "You should look through them and get rid of whatever you don't need anymore."

Shane brushed past her instruction and said instead, "You were the one who told Averie to come over today."

It had been his scheduled day off, yet Averie had known he was at the hospital.

"As a man, you should learn to take initiative," Regina replied before turning and heading upstairs.

Shane went after her and opened the door to the storage room. As expected, it was filled with old books and various forgotten belongings.

One item immediately drew his attention—a violin case.

It was the last gift Melinda had ever given him. The violin inside had been broken.

After that day, she disappeared completely, going abroad for study.

She stopped answering calls, deleted her social media account, and cut ties abruptly.

It was as though the years they had spent together had never existed.

The maid walked over and asked, "Mr. Lloyd, is there anything here you'd like to keep?"

"Throw everything away," Shane replied indifferently.

The maid's eyes landed on the violin case. "My grandson wants to learn the violin. Would it be alright if I kept this one for him?"

Shane felt his throat tighten. "That violin is broken. I'll buy him a new one."

The maid's face lit up with surprise. "Thank you so much, Mr. Lloyd. Then I'll take this violin and discard it. It's already late; you should rest."

Just as she turned to leave, Shane stopped her. "Give me the violin. I'll take care of it myself."

He carried the violin case into his study and placed it on the lowest shelf of the bookcase.

When he returned to his bedroom, he noticed a black wallet resting on the nightstand. Drained from the night shift, he didn't give it much thought and slipped it into the drawer.

He had no idea he was now carrying two identical black wallets.

Picking up his phone, he saw a message from Averie, reminding him that he had something important to tell Leanna today.

As he scrolled through his contacts, his eyes lingered on the name "Leanna," even as his finger tapped on "Melinda."

He was just about to hang up when the call connected.

A woman spoke from the other end. "Hello?"