The awkwardness was real, but at least now Josh knew.


    He grabbed his phone off the table and walked out, and Myra immediately blurted out, “Well, that’s done.”


    I didn’t think much of it. Josh and I had never intended for anything to develop between us, so whether he was upset or had misunderstood didn’t matter.


    After all, we were just passing strangers to each other. I had no ns for another rtionship-it’s not that I couldn’t love again after being hurt once, but simply that I wasn’t in the right mindset for it.


    After breakfast, I was preparing to drop Myra off at work before heading to my interview.


    I’d only sent out my resume yesterday, but I’d already gotten an interview invitation this morning. The speed was a bit surprising, but getting a job soon was a good thing.


    However, as I pulled into the parking lot, I spotted Philip’s car. He stopped, got out, and opened the back door-out stepped Michelle.


    She was here to see me.


    “Michelle,” I called out, walking over to her.


    “Zoe,” she said, taking my hand, and tears immediately began to fall.


    Her sudden outburst caught me off guard, and I nced at Philip, who handed her a tissue and said, “Mom, you’re scaring Zoe. What’s this crying about? Just tell her what’s going on.”


    Michelle took the tissue and wiped her eyes, then said, “Zoe, can we go home and talk? Please?”


    I turned to Philip, who exined, “Mom tried calling you all night and texting, but you didn’t answer. She didn’t sleep at all, so she had me bring her here. She knows everything about Alvin.”


    I figured that’s why she was here.


    “Michelle, let’s sit down in that restaurant inside. You must be hungry too, so we can talk while eating,” I suggested, not wanting to go to the Dolton family home.


    Michelle shook her head. “I can’t eat.”


    “Then we’ll just talk,” I said, trying to ease her. After a moment, she nodded.


    Turning to Philip, I said, “Take Myra to the amusement park. I’ll stay with Michelle and drop her off afterward.”


    Philip looked at his mother, then nodded at me. “Thanks for this.”


    Myra followed Philip as he left, and I guided Michelle toward the restaurant. When I went to order breakfast, Michelle refused, but I insisted on ordering her favorite dish.


    “Zoe, I know about Alvin’s mess. Don’t me yourself. He deserved every bit of what you did to him,” Michelle’s words made me lower my gaze.


    “Zoe, it’s my fault. I didn’t raise him properly, and now he’s hurt you,” she added, shaking her head in guilt.


    I bit my lip. “Michelle, this isn’t your fault. Alvin is an adult, not a child.”


    Although I wasn’t sure what Michelle’s real purpose foring was, I could already guess that her emotional appeal was leading to one thing: she wanted me to forgive Alvin.


    The truth is, forgiveness didn’t matter much anymore. But I feared Michelle still wanted me to get back together with him.


    Michelle nodded. “You’re right, so don’t feel any guilt.”


    “You’re thinking too much. I don’t feel guilty, because I haven’t done anything wrong,” I said, the confidence in my voice making Michelle pause.


    She nodded slowly. “Yes, yes, you’re right. It’s Alvin’s fault, not yours.”


    I didn’t respond. Michelle then said, “Zoe, Peter doesn’t want you to quit. Alvin will personally apologize and ask you toe back to work.”


    I was taken aback by this.


    “But Michelle, I’ve already quit. And I’ve applied for another job-I have an interview today,” I said, straightforwardly.


    “What? So fast?” Michelle was shocked.


    ‘Actually, I’d already decided to leave before Alvin and I even got married,” I told her, not an ounce of hesitation in my voice.


    Working in the samepany after breaking up with him would be awkward, and if he didn’t mind, I would still feel ufortable. So, even if Alvin hadn’t asked me to leave, I was nning to quit once the amusement park project ended,” I exined my thoughts fully.


    Michelle shook her head. “You don’t have to do this, Zoe. If it’s too awkward, you can switch departments or work at a branch. Just stay away from him.”


    ‘I know you’re worried about me being mistreated outside, but I still want to explore other opportunities,” I stated my stance clearly.


    Michelle’s eyes misted up again, and she shook her head. “How did ite to this? You won’t be my daughter-inw anymore, but why won’t you stay with thepany? Zoe, are you really going to leave uspletely?”


    Her distress really tugged at my heartstrings. After all, we had spent over a decade together-it wasn’t possible to have no feelings.


    ‘Michelle, I’ll still visit you and Peter often,” I offered somefort.


    Michelle wiped her tears and said, “Zoe, tell me, are you seeing someone? Is that why you want to leave? Are you afraid he’ll care about your past with Alvin?”


    I couldn’t help butugh. Josh and I had nothing going on, but the entire world seemed to think we were together.


    “I’m not seeing anyone right now, and even if I were, he has no right to interfere with my life. You’re overthinking it,” I rified.


    “Then promise me you won’t leave thepany,” Michelle pressed. “At least, when I miss you, I can call you and see you.”


    It was clear she didn’t want me to leave, as if I were her own daughter.


    But I still didn’t agree. I simply said, “I may leave thepany, but I’ll still work locally. You can always call me whenever


    you miss me.”


    Michelle didn’t speak for a long time. I thought we were done with this conversation when she finally spoke again. “Zoe,


    there’s something I want to say, but I’m afraid it will upset you.”


    My heart skipped a beat. I had a feeling whatever she was about to say was going to be difficult for me.


    “Then don’t say it, I interrupted her.


    Michelle seemed surprised by my bluntness. After a pause, she smiled and said, “But I still need to tell you-it’s about your


    future.”


    I couldn’t help but smile at her tactful approach. She was experienced, no doubt.


    “Go ahead,” I said with a slight smile.


    “Zoe, Peter ns to let Philip go off on his own and start his ownpany. Would you want to help him?” Michelle’s words. were indirect, but I understood her meaning.


    It wasn’t really about helping Philip-it was her subtle way of trying to pair me with him now that Alvin and I were no longer an option.


    I was the girl they raised, and if I wasn’t going to marry Alvin, they’d make sure I married Philip instead. They didn’t want me to marry outside the family.


    “Michelle,” I called her name and then spoke directly, “Do you think if I were with Philip, Alvin would be okay with it? How would they both ever get along after that?”


    Michelle’s lips moved, but she didn’t respond immediately. Finally, she said, “But I can’t bear to let you go. I don’t want you leaving the family, Zoe.”


    “If that’s the case, then I’d rather be your goddaughter,” I said firmly, making my stance clear.