Chapter 3

The area around Marlen Tower was swarming with people.

By the time I reached the top-floor office that belonged to Sophia, I had barely pushed the door open when her voice rang out,

"James, I warned you. You had thirty minutes to show up in front of me, and now—"

"Mm." I cut her off with a flat response and dropped onto the sofa casually.

Alexander, her ever-present assistant, was in the office as well.

He kept his head bowed, eyes rimmed red, gripping his left wrist with his right hand.

My indifference seemed to ignite Sophia. She slammed her palm against the table.

"James, what's with that attitude? You still refuse to admit your mistake?"

But before I could speak, Alexander beat me to it.

"Sophia, it's nothing, really. Just a watch. Don't blame James."

As Alexander said that, Sophia's anger deepened.

Yet instead of lashing out at him, she restrained herself, her voice softening as she turned to comfort him.

"How can you say it's nothing? James's so petty that he even snatched the birthday gift I gave you."

"Don't worry, I won't take his side in this."

Then she turned back to me, her tone sharpening like a blade.

"James, I'll give you one last chance. Return the watch to Alexander."

I had lost count of how many times this had happened.

No matter how many times Alexander framed me, no matter how I explained, it never made a difference.

The woman who once trusted me unconditionally now only doubted me without question.

I couldn't be bothered to argue.

Rising to my feet, I unbuckled the worn watch from my wrist and tossed it lightly to the floor at Alexander's feet.

That single gesture broke the restraint of both Sophias—the one from nineteen, and the one from twenty-seven.

The nineteen-year-old burst into tears. "James, please… don't… don't do this."

But the twenty-seven-year-old's eyes blazed red, her fury no longer containable.

"James! Do you think I'll tolerate this?"

The watch lying at her feet was the only one I ever owned.

Back then, she had landed her first role.

It was just a supporting part, but she was happy for days.

After the filming, she used what little pay she received to buy me this watch, which was barely worth two hundred dollars.

From that day forward, I never wore another watch.

I still remember when she placed it in my hand, her voice trembled with a promise.

"James, this is all I can afford right now."

"But one day, when I earn big money, I'll buy you the watch you love most."

And she did, eventually, buy that watch. But it wasn't for me—it was for Alexander.

I saw no point in speaking further. Turning, I headed for the door.

"You—!"

Sophia was so enraged that her words stumbled. Alexander was quick to soothe her.

"Sophia, calm down."

"If the watch you gave me really means that much to James, then I'm at fault."

"It's only natural he'd send someone to take it from me."

"Don't blame him. I don't mind."

His voice grew lower, tinged with melancholy.

"After all, I've never had anyone celebrate my birthday with me since I was a child."

"Having you with me this year is already more than enough. Gifts don't matter."

His words slowly steadied Sophia's ragged breathing.

She forced herself to appear calm and offered me a cheap compromise.

"James, give Alexander his watch back. I'll buy you a better one, I promise."

"I don't want it." I gestured to the one on the floor. "Not that one, and not any you'd ever buy me in the future."