Walking down the street, I glanced back.

Mason was talking with his head down.

Isabel moved her lips, offering a comforting pat on his shoulder.

Maybe she mentioned me, her face flushing with anger again.

I gave a self-mocking smile, my eyes slightly damp.

In a daze, memories of our past came to mind.

I met Isabel in college. I had known her for four years and dated for five.

After graduation, she opted for a particular research institute while I stepped into the workforce.

As a newcomer, I was clueless about office politics, taking the fall for many things and often feeling down.

To cheer me up, she braved her fear of heights and took me bungee jumping.

Afterward, her face pale, she still asked, "Are you feeling better? If not, let's do it again."

I asked her why she would do that.

She said, "I want you to be happy. Seeing you sad makes me sad too. Promise me, don't hold back your emotions by yourself anymore, okay?"

I wondered why such a considerate girl changed so suddenly.

I looked up at the starry sky, pushing down all the sour feelings in my heart.

Without the so-called love, I threw myself into my work.

I had no time for self-pity.

I put Isabel behind me, deliberately avoiding anything about her.

I started learning to enjoy activities alone, watching movies by myself, and enjoying life on my own.

Then I realized one could indeed live well alone.

My life used to be all about work and Isabel.

Without her, I focused on self-improvement.

Liam, my colleague and friend, joked when he saw me, "Are you working hard to earn baby formula money?"

I was stunned at his words.

I smiled faintly and said slowly, "I'm not planning on getting married anytime soon."

Now, he was the one stunned.

"That might have been a misunderstanding. You should talk to Isabel. If you get married, she'll naturally keep her distance from other men."

I paused my work for a moment, raised an eyebrow, and said, "I don't think marriage can bind anyone; otherwise, why are there so many affairs?"

It would be better to end it in time than live in chaos after marriage.

Besides, I didn't have to be with her.

"You have a point. Then get ready for a promotion. I heard our department manager is being transferred. With your qualifications, you'll ace the department manager role."

His words reignited my passion.

I had been working so hard, aiming for this position.

I had given up once for love.