A Trip to the Sea

Three days ago.
Leo Scott's female assistant, Vivian Lincoln, said she wanted to go on a self-driving trip to the Sea.
He immediately began making preparations and invited several friends to join.
This time, he didn't make excuses to stop me from going, as he had before.
But throughout the trip, he kept finding faults with me.
Just because I spent an extra fifteen minutes putting on makeup before we left.
He shouted at me in front of everyone.
"Viola, you're almost thirty, yet you keep wearing makeup daily to look younger, wasting everyone's time—it's truly frustrating!"
After saying that, he left with the others in the car.
Watching their car disappear into the distance, I didn't cry or throw a tantrum like before.
Instead, I calmly took out my phone and called my father.
"Dad, I'll be home next week. Please arrange the marriage alliance with the Luke family."
There was a long silence on the other end of the line before my father finally spoke.
In the end, he let out a heavy sigh, said nothing, and simply replied, "Okay."
In fact, my father had never really believed in Leo Scott.
He always said Leo Scott was too young, too impulsive, and couldn't offer me stability.
But at that time, I was completely absorbed in the relationship and unwilling to listen to anything else.
That absorption lasted for six years.
I stood before the mirror, looking at the bruises beneath my eyes.
No matter how expensive the concealer, it couldn't hide this exhaustion.
Only three days ago, Leo Scott suddenly told me he was going on a self-driving trip to the Sea.
To be able to go with him, I stayed up several nights in a row to finish the work I had on hand.
I never imagined that over just fifteen minutes, he would simply leave me behind.
A similar thing happened a year ago.
At that time, Vivian Lincoln was delayed because of putting on makeup, which caused everyone to miss an important connecting flight.
Leo Scott did not say a single word of blame.
He immediately rebooked the tickets, bought gifts, and personally apologized to the partners.
Seeing Vivian Lincoln's guilty expression, he spoke gently, "Don't cry. Such beautiful makeup would be a shame to ruin with tears."
As I recalled this, I went to the computer and submitted my resignation.
That evening, Vivian Lincoln's Circle of friends was updated right on time.
The photo showed the deep blue Sea—the place Leo and I had long promised to visit together.
For some reason, I clicked on the live photo.
From the photo came Vivian's voice: "Leo, Viola was only fifteen minutes late. Why did you just leave?"
Leo clicked his tongue lightly, his tone full of impatience.
"Viola is always beating around the bush, asking me if I want to get married. It's so annoying!"
"This morning, I went through her suitcase and actually found a ring."
"I'm still so young; I don't want to be bound by marriage."
"Viola will become an old hag."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a burst of laughter spread around us.

I recalled the Leo Scott I once knew.
Back then, he would stand firmly by my side, driving away anyone who mocked me.
But now, he joins others in openly belittling me.
Strangely, my heart didn't ache as much as I had expected.
I continued browsing through the photos.
Leo's friend laughed and said, "Vivian is still the best match for Leo."
Vivian Lincoln heard this and blushed deeply.
Leo Scott nodded without denying it and looked at Vivian with tenderness.
I liked the comment and added: [They really are well-matched].
Shortly after, Leo called me on a video call.
As soon as he answered, he shouted at me, "Viola, are you crazy?"
"So many people at the company can see your comment; what nonsense are you spreading?"
He grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, his eyes filled with disappointment.
"How many times have I told you, Vivian and I only have a normal superior-subordinate relationship. Why do you always target her and make her feel awkward?"
I laughed out of anger at him.
When he and Vivian Lincoln shared a cup to drink water.
When he carried Vivian in his arms after she scraped her knee and left the venue.
Why never consider that I could be humiliated too?
"Go apologize to Vivian right now, or we're breaking up!"
Every time we argued before, Leo Scott threatened to break up with me.
Then waiting to see me let go of my dignity and humbly beg for reconciliation.
But this time, I said calmly, "If it's a breakup, then so be it."
Leo Scott was momentarily stunned; his expression darkened immediately.
"Fine, don't regret it!"
After saying that, he blocked me on all forms of contact.
Afterward, he continued accompanying Vivian Lincoln on a self-driving trip around the Sea.
I shrugged indifferently and began packing.
Six years of memories—too many to handle—I packed for a full three days.
When Leo Scott returned from the Sea, the room was already empty.
He frowned; the smile that had once curled at the corners of his mouth due to Vivian's coquettishness was now tightly pressed shut.
"Viola, where are my slippers?"
I was packing the last of my luggage without looking up.
"I threw them away."
Not just the slippers, but also the toothbrush, the cup, the pajamas...
Those couple items I once bought with so much joy now lay in the trash bin.

Leo Scott squinted, his expression growing increasingly grim.
"Viola, do you really want to break up with me?"
He said this through gritted teeth.
I said nothing, pulled my suitcase around him sideways, tacitly acknowledging it.
The air suddenly grew quiet.
Just as I was about to reach the door, Leo Scott suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me back onto the sofa.
He took a gift box out of his pocket, his tone unusually soft.
"You know Vivian just graduated and has little support at the company. As her supervisor, it's only right that I look after her a little more."
"Not only do you not understand me, but you also misunderstand my relationship with her. I was really angry when I said those harsh words; I never truly wanted to break up with you."
He lowered his head to put a necklace on me, but I turned my head to avoid it.
I said plainly, "You should give it to someone else. I'm too old; I don't suit such a youthful style."
Leo Scott froze, evidently recalling what he had said at the Sea.
But he had been spoiled since childhood and was not used to such grievances; his voice unconsciously grew louder.
"I didn't say anything wrong. You're almost thirty, not exactly young anymore! Do you really have to hold a grudge over it still?"
Yes, he was right.
I am four years older than him and indeed not young anymore.
I no longer have the time to play these kinds of relationship games with him.
I rubbed my brow, feeling irritated with him for the first time.
"Leo Scott, I don't need you to explain your relationship with Vivian Lincoln anymore; I simply no longer care. You call me old, accuse me of pretending to be young—it no longer matters to me."
"Because we have already broken up."
I stood up, no longer paying attention to the flustered Leo Scott behind me, and walked straight to the door.
"Bang—"
A glass jar filled with paper cranes shattered at my feet.
Those paper cranes that once carried Leo Scott's love now lay in pieces.
The next day, I went to the office to clear my things from my desk.
An uninvited guest leaned against my desk, his voice thick with mockery.
"Oh, isn't this the future Mrs. CEO Leo? Why the sudden resignation? Did Mr. Leo dump you?"
I looked up and saw Maggie.
Previously, out of jealousy, she repeatedly targeted and slandered me, which caused Leo Scott to demote her to the lowest position.
Now, with Vivian Lincoln defending her beside Leo Scott, she has returned to her original post and even appears to be up for a promotion.
"How unfortunate for you—you worked tirelessly on the project for months, yet it was effortlessly handed over to Vivian Lincoln in the end."
Maggie seemed convinced she had won and boasted triumphantly in front of me.

But I just found it laughable: "First of all, I was the one who ended things with Leo Scott."
"Secondly, even if Vivian Lincoln gets the project, it won't change the fact that she can't even manage basic spreadsheets, nor will it change that you are like a dog by her side."
I still don't understand how Vivian Lincoln, someone who didn't even properly finish university, managed to pass multiple interviews and secure a core position in the company.
With people like her in decision-making roles, it's no wonder the company is on the brink of collapse.
However, none of this concerns me anymore.
No more worrying about Leo Scott's sensitive stomach or his inability to eat spicy food.
That very night, I went to enjoy the hotpot I had been longing for.
The spicy flavor tingled my taste buds, and only then did I belatedly realize.
Over the years, I have sacrificed so much for Leo.
From changing my eating habits to giving up opportunities to study abroad...
Now, I will no longer compromise myself for anyone.
I was quietly eating hotpot when a few people suddenly joined me.
It was Vivian Lincoln, Leo Scott, and some of his friends.
Those young people always like to gather together.
"Viola, you like this hotpot too? Why have I never seen you here before?"
"Try this spicy beef. Leo and I have eaten it many times. It's spicy, flavorful, and truly delicious!"
Vivian Lincoln casually sat beside me and deliberately showed the bracelet on her wrist.
I thought it looked familiar; it was a matching set with the necklace Leo Scott brought back from his last business trip.
However, the diamonds on her bracelet were larger and more numerous.
"Viola, have you ever seen the starry sky over the salt lake? I've heard it's especially beautiful."
"Unfortunately, when I went last time, I twisted my ankle, and Leo carried me back to the hotel; I didn't get to see it."
A look of disappointment appeared on Vivian Lincoln's face.
Leo Scott gently comforted her and promised to take her to see it next time.
"Viola, if you had come with us last time, maybe you would have seen it too."
"It's all Leo's fault!"
She playfully gave Leo Scott a light punch.
"How could you leave before Viola finished her makeup?"
Leo Scott helplessly raised his hands in surrender. "Yes, yes, it's all my fault. Miss Lincoln, can you forgive me?"
After saying that, he quietly watched my reaction.
If it had been before, seeing such a scene, I definitely would have lost my temper and argued with him.
But now, I just smiled faintly and continued eating the food in the pot, keeping my head down.
Seeing that I didn't respond, Vivian Lincoln suddenly linked her arm with mine affectionately and leaned close to study my face.
"But Viola, your makeup today seems—"
Her words suddenly stopped, and she smiled as she sent messages in her group chat.

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