Seven years passed before I saw Kody again at a class reunion.
I had just finished a few design drafts and, feeling too exhausted to dress up, showed up in comfortable casual clothes.
Kody stood amidst the crowd, holding Daniela's hand tightly, soaking up everyone's praise.
"Kody, you really made it! You've only been in England for a few years and already become a top financial strategist! You're truly the pride of East City High!" "Absolutely!
I heard even the British elite pay to dine with Kody. Just the consulting fees alone were nearly hundreds of thousands, which is an entire year's salary for us ordinary folks!"
"Kody, I've been dabbling in stocks lately. Could you, for old times' sake, give me some insider tips?"
Someone in the crowd curiously asked, "Kody, are you planning to propose to Daniela?"
Kody looked at Daniela in his arms with gentle eyes.
Then, under everyone's gaze, he knelt on one knee and pulled a ring box from his pocket.
Inside was a sparkling large diamond ring, akin to what you'd see in celebrity engagements.
"Daniela, I've always loved you. Today, in front of everyone, I hope you'll marry me."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Say yes! Say yes!"
Daniela shyly extended her hand, looking at Kody with happiness.
"I will!"
The room filled with applause and congratulations.
An old classmate asked, "Kody, do you still keep in touch with Emeline? You two almost dated back then, and you used to bring her breakfast every day!"
Hearing my name, I noticed Kody's smile freeze momentarily, his expression was a mix of surprise and something unreadable.
Daniela, standing beside him, smiled slightly and answered gracefully.
"Oh, come on, we just got engaged. His youthful antics were immature, as was his love back then. He's long since moved on from Emeline!"
Everyone laughed and continued to praise how well-matched they were.
But I knew that back then, Kody put a lot of effort into bringing me breakfast every day.
He knew I wasn't a morning person and always carefully called me downstairs for breakfast.
His eyes were gentle, "I know you can't wake up early, and I'm not trying to disturb you. I just want you to have breakfast; it's not good for your stomach otherwise."
"I just really like you. If I'm bothering you, just tell me, and I'll change."
I believed him.
But unfortunately, in our past life, he still lied.
With a calm expression, I walked into the banquet hall. A sharp-eyed classmate noticed me.
"Emeline! Why are you so late?"
"Why did you come in casual clothes? You didn't change into something formal."
"Did you just get off work? Where are you working yourself to the bone? We have successful classmates who can help you find a better job, something easier!"
Some around me made sarcastic remarks about my attire.
I didn't mind, smiling and maintaining basic decorum.
From the moment I entered the venue, Kody's gaze never left me.
I politely spoke, "Long time no see."
Kody was slightly stunned, his expression inscrutable, then he sneered, "Emeline, after all these years, you haven't changed. Still as unambitious as ever."
Daniela shot me a sharp glance.
She deliberately clung to Kody's arm, pouting as if asserting her claim, and spoke in a playful tone.
"Kody, how can you speak about an old classmate like that! She may be having a tough time, but we shouldn't hit her where it hurts. Emeline's already had it rough."
She looked me over, her face mocking.
"But Emeline, what's with your outfit? It's neither here nor there... You're not getting any younger. Women should take care of themselves, or they'll find it hard to get married.What man would like a sloppy woman?"
"Do you want me to lend you some makeup?"
Her words barely finished before the classmates couldn't help but laugh.
After all, Daniela was dressed in designer labels from head to toe, her makeup immaculate, exuding the natural elegance of a wealthy heiress.
Meanwhile, I had just left the studio, having spent nearly 24 hours without sleep for my design drafts, looking dead on my feet.
I wore the most comfortable casual sportswear, nothing branded, casually bought from a small street shop, nothing compared to her.
"No need, I don't require it for now." I responded simply, sitting down to eat.
After all, when I'm engrossed in work, I often forget to eat and had not eaten all day.
While savoring the food, Kody suddenly approached and placed a check for 200, 000 in front of me.
"This money is to help you out of consideration for our past. Find a more decent job, buy some new clothes, and learn to love yourself."
"Emeline, the past is the past. Don't dwell on it."
"If it weren't for you... never mind, it's not important."
"The important thing is not to lose all motivation because I left, okay?"
I looked up at Kody, puzzled.
His unfinished words intrigued me. What had I done in my past life to make him abandon me after being reborn?
In our previous life, we went from school uniforms to wedding dresses.
He had his dreams in finance, and I wanted to study fashion design. Both were demanding in time and money.
Naturally, one of us had to sacrifice.
Out of love, I gave up the chance to study in France, started working early, and supported both our dreams with my income.
He failed repeatedly, each time more discouraged and despondent.
I was like an endless power source, always patient in comforting him when I returned home exhausted.
I thought he understood my love.
I didn't expect that when he wanted to invest in stocks again and I refused due to lack of funds, he angrily smashed our photo.
"Do you know? If I had listened to Daniela and gone to study in England with her, I wouldn't be living this miserable life!"
"I wish I had never been with you."
Later, he gave up on strategy analysis, losing his dreams.
And I often cried at night because of his words, "I wish I had never been with you."
But I made one last attempt, holding him gently.
"Kody, I want to have a child with you."
He pushed me away, his eyes filled with indescribable disgust.
"Can we afford to have a child in our financial situation? Besides, I've told you before, I hate kids! I don't want to have a child with you!"
These words shattered my last hope.
On the way to the hospital, a massive truck ended our lives.
At that moment, I felt no fear, only relief.
Now that we've both been reborn, we've chosen to keep our distance. There's no need to hold onto old feelings.
I quietly pushed the check back, "No need, I don't accept things from strangers, thank you."
