Chapter 4

Having said what I wanted to say, I strode out of the office.

But before I could reach the elevator, the nineteen-year-old Sophia suddenly rushed forward and clung to my arm.

"James, please… don't. Let's take that watch back… I gave it to you!"

Her eyes were rimmed red, and her voice was hesitant, as though she feared I might be angry.

Looking at her fresh, innocent face, my heart softened.

"Fine. But this will count as the second chance. Are you sure you want to use it now?"

She nodded firmly, without a moment of hesitation.

I ruffled her hair, then turned back from the elevator and walked once more toward the office.

But when I pushed open the door again, the sight that greeted me made the nineteen-year-old Sophia explode with fury.

Alexander was holding Sophia in his arms, whispering intimately against her ear.

The moment they saw me enter, the two sprang apart.

"James! When did you become so rude?"

"Don't you know you should knock before entering someone else's office?"

I shot her a cool glance and walked straight toward them, bending down.

But Alexander stealthily pressed his foot onto the watch strap, pinning it to the ground.

I straightened again, ready to confront him.

That fucking bastard lowered his gaze, his tone meek.

"James, I was only trying to comfort Sophia. She was so upset. Please don't be angry."

Hearing that, Sophia couldn't hold back any longer.

"Just look at yourself, James. Look at the way you act."

"Alexander is so considerate, yet you keep making things hard for him again and again."

"Apologize to him!"

I ignored her words, fixing my eyes on Alexander, fighting to hold down the fire raging in my chest.

"Move."

But he pretended not to hear.

"James, I really didn't mean anything by it."

Then Sophia's hand shot out, gripping my chin hard.

"Apologize. To Alexander."

I stared at her furious face, then turned slightly toward the nineteen-year-old Sophia standing nearby.

She was frozen in place, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The sight made my anger dissolve in an instant.

I gazed at the young Sophia with aching tenderness and muttered,

"I'm sorry."

"Oh, James, there's no need for that, really. Don't apologize."

Alexander backed away cautiously, but I caught the faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

No longer caring what they said, I bent down, picked up the watch, and walked out of the office.

On the way out of Marlen Tower, the nineteen-year-old Sophia sobbed uncontrollably, apologizing to me over and over.

I stroked her head gently.

"It's all right, Sophia. You didn't do anything wrong."

Looking at her delicate face, I asked, "Do you know what tomorrow is?"

She blinked at me, then glanced at the car's display clock.

Suddenly her cheeks flushed, and excitement lit her eyes.

"It's the day you're going to propose to me."

Yes. Six years ago, on our one-year anniversary, I made her a promise.

No matter if I had money or not, on Valentine's Day six years later, I would propose—by the sea.

"Good girl. Then tomorrow, you'll come with me, won't you?"

I spoke with quiet warmth. Her eyes sparkled like stars, locking onto mine.

After a long silence, she whispered a secret.

"James, do you know why I could see the future?"

"When you confessed to me, I made a wish on a shooting star… that I could glimpse the future."

"But I wouldn't remember any of it… not until midnight tomorrow, when the real Sophia will recall everything."

The nineteen-year-old version of Sophia shed another tear.

"So tomorrow night… she'll regret it."