“Karina, your choice is good and wise. I think clearly it is good that you can think it through. Regarding the matter of marriage, I believe you can come back in three years and then consider it. These few years are not a big deal.”
I feel a little guilty at this moment. Originally, they wanted me for this project. They wanted it named for me. But I had always been obsessed with James. It made me refuse to accept the invitation from my mentor.
The mentor had no choice but to look for someone else. But in the end, there wasn't a single qualified person, which ultimately delayed the progress of the entire project process.
***
I had finished processing the last of the documents in my office. I quickly tidied up my desk. When I was done and about to leave the room, I heard a familiar scream outside the door.
“I have obviously worked very hard, but I didn't expect that Karina would suddenly want to take up the quota. My efforts for this month have all been in vain, you know?”
It was Annette Diggory. I clenched the door handle tightly. I knew her as James's secret lover. The woman who made me and him unable to reconcile for thirty years.
I dared to open the door of my office. A familiar face appeared in front of me. It was James. He looked down at me with a sense of oppression I had never felt before.
“Karina, return what previously belonged to Annette.”
I looked at James’s expression, as well as Annette's behind him. She was still crying and out of breath behind him.
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but it’s impossible, okay.”
James’s face had never had such an incomprehensible expression. “What do you mean, Karina?”
I just stared at him silently. He was still trying everything for Annette.
“I've already been forced by you to agree to marry you. Do you think I don't know that you have arranged the wedding venue, Karina? You won't even go, right? You're just doing it to make things difficult for Annette!”
Annette also stepped forward with red eyes. “Karina, I really worked hard for this. After I leave it will be impossible to bother you guys. Please, Karina. I hope you will also be relieved.”
I said loudly, “You know whether you really work hard or not. You can’t apply for this project, Annette.”
Annette stalled after hearing my words. Her eyes became even redder.
Before she applied for this project, she originally wanted James to accompany her so that I couldn't block them. But since I hurt myself several times, James thought of the kindness my parents had once shown to the Mountbatten Family. It made him finally agree with a pinched nose.
Annette decided to go by herself in a fit of anger. But in the end, these months were more of a gambling component. The preparations were not done properly at all. In her previous life, she hadn't been successful in her application.
James, however, frowned. “It's not like you gave her a chance. What makes you think she can't apply? Please give us the reason.”
I shook the document. “Just based on the fact that Mr. Matteo as the mentor has already signed and stamped it for me.”
“Karina, please.”
James clenched his five fingers. The disappointment in his eyes was unprecedented.
“I thought you were just a bit capricious. I never expected you to be so vicious like this. You don't even lack this opportunity, Karina. But Annette paid a lot to get to where you are today.”
James continued to talk at length. Meanwhile, I didn't care at all.
“I didn't think you'd go so far as to empty a spot for Mr. Matteo in order to make things difficult for her!”
The more he spoke, the more unsteady his breathing became. Now he looked at me coldly.
“Listen to me, Karina. Even though you made me agree to marry you in return for your kindness, just based on this incident, I will never treat you as my wife in my life.”
“I know it, James.”
I nodded frankly at him. I had already experienced this in my last life.
James turned around and walked away. He took Annette's shoulder and comforted her softly.
“It's okay, Annette. I'll find you to find another opportunity, okay? Please, don't be sad.”
That gentle look, I had dreamed of countless times in my previous life. But I couldn't get it in my previous life. I also won't get it in this life either.
I was told in my heart, ‘I really should go, James.’
I thought James wouldn't meet me again before the wedding. But I didn't expect one thing. When I returned to the wedding room I booked and opened the door, I met him at eye level.
