Even so, Jeffrey didn't even let me have a single penny in compensation.
Now that I no longer need him, he suddenly came running up to me, offering to compensate me voluntarily.
"Honey, I called you just now. Why didn't you answer me? Who were you talking to?"
Just as I was momentarily stunned, a girl in a pink coat skipped over and excitedly hooked her arm through Jeffrey's.
When she saw it was me, her smile froze for a second before quickly returning. "Annabeth, it's you! We haven't seen you in a long time. How about we get a meal together?"
Before I could even react, Selena Walter affectionately grabbed my arm and spoke in a bubbly, loud voice. "Annabeth, we've been searching for you these past six years. We never heard from you, even your former colleagues thought you'd gone abroad. Where did you go?"
I quietly looked at the girl before me. She had changed so much that I almost didn't recognize her.
The once poor student with frizzy hair, simple clothes and eyes like a frightened fawn, after six years under Jeffrey's meticulous care, had blossomed into a dazzling red rose.
I smiled aloofly yet with dignity. "I did go abroad."
Selena's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? But Annabeth, I went to see you several times back then and they all said you were going back to your hometown after the divorce … "
She seemed to speak without thinking, but Jeffrey cut her off before she could finish. "Sweetie, let's not bring up the past."
Jeffrey affectionately ruffled her hair. "I bought you a little cake. If you don't eat it soon, it'll melt."
While eating the small cake, Selena mumbled and insisted on stopping me from leaving. "Annabeth, we finally met again. Let us treat you to a meal, okay? I know you hate us because of what happened back then, but you saved me. At least you funded my entire university education. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today … "
She looked utterly sincere, as if refusing would make me the ungrateful one.
I glanced at my watch. It was still early.
"Alright then. I only have an hour and a half," I said.
Ultimately, they were the ones who chose the restaurant.
Along the way, the girl chattered nonstop, even feeding Jeffrey bits of cake with her mouth.
Jeffrey, perhaps conscious of my presence, seemed a bit stiff and held her restless hand. "Behave yourself. Annabeth is watching."
Selena stuck her tongue out playfully.
"Sorry, Annabeth. We've just gotten used to being like this after years of marriage. Sometimes we can't help kissing even in public. Please don't laugh at us."
I quietly watched the fleeting provocation and smugness in her eyes, then just smiled.
"It's fine. After all, you couldn't even help but do it with him in my house when you were still in university. I'm used to it."
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Selena and Jeffrey's expressions turned slightly unpleasant, but my face remained calm as I continued walking forward.
Before reaching the restaurant, we passed a fireworks shop.
Selena's interest was immediately sparked and she insisted on dragging Jeffrey inside to look around.
"Honey, didn't you promise to light up the whole city with fireworks for my birthday in three days? I want to pick out the designs first. Annabeth, you don't mind, do you?"
I smiled. "Not at all."
Jeffrey shot me a meaningful look before turning to select fireworks. "This one then, the Ocean Tears."
I froze. Those distant memories, almost forgotten, suddenly flooded back.
Jeffrey used to love me deeply. We were together for four years and married for six.
