I had kept a bottle from her birth year, and she had one from mine. I had a sense that if we didn't use it now, we'd never have the chance to share it again.

But as soon as I entered the private room, I froze.

Kate was seated next to Vincent.

She greeted me warmly and pulled me to sit down, but I couldn't muster a smile.

Vincent, ever the polite host, poured me a drink, but I felt like I might be sick.

Kate exchanged a look with Vincent, their shared smile making me feel like an outsider, as if I should be hiding under the table.

Then, just like in old times, she used her sweet voice to coax me.

Kate said, her tone sugary and smooth, "We talked it over. The person in the photo looks a lot like you. How about we clarify that it's actually you?"

She spoke softly and sweetly, but all I heard was "we."

I thought, "Kate, there was a time when 'we' meant you and me.

I want to ask her, you're so afraid Vincent won't make it at the Moore Group, but do you worry about your loyal fans turning on me?"

I suddenly found myself smiling.

I saw the shock on her face, and a hidden satisfaction rose in me, though it was overshadowed by a deep, painful sting.

I forced myself to remain calm. "Sure, but I have one condition. I'm resigning."

I watched Kate's face go blank for a moment before she snapped, "No! I won't agree!"

Her sudden anger made me feel, for a brief second, like she still cared about me.

But the hand Vincent had resting on her shoulder brought me back to reality.

I stood up, looking at Kate steadily. "Ms. Winslet, I wish you all the best in your future career."

I turned and walked out, my chest and stomach twisting in pain, making it hard to breathe.

I thought, "Is it really this painful to let go of ten years of your life?"

As I walked out the door, Kate abruptly stood up but was quickly restrained by Vincent.

"What are you doing?" Kate snapped, shaking off Vincent's hand.

Vincent smirked, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "Are you so impatient that you're willing to risk losing Director Dent's movie?"

Kate hesitated, standing up and then sitting back down, nervously tapping her foot.

Vincent chuckled, toying with Kate's hair. "That's more like it. He's just an agent, after all."

Meanwhile, I stood at the restaurant entrance, clutching the bottle of wine, and waited for half an hour. No one came out to pursue me.

In the end, I felt pathetic even to myself.