Chapter 9
ર
+25 BONUS
Over time, Derrick’s interests shifted like weather.
But I only got more obsessed with my research.
Even during my years at Vantrel, stuck doing stuff totally unrelated to robotics, I kept up with it on the side. So jumping back in felt easy.
Derrick kept messaging me-like he still thought I’d cave. Still throwing me chances to come back.
I ignored them all.
Then he sent some photos-Molly’s reassignment notice.
He wrote: [I looked into it. I didn’t approve your resignation-Molly processed it by mistake. She didn’t realize it was from you. I’ve transferred her to logistics. She’ll never touch company operations again. You’ve made your point. Isn’t it time to stop?]
Not long after, Molly also sent me a long, dramatic apology.
At first glance, it looked sincere.
But it was an acrostic-each line spelled out subtle digs at me. Petty, obvious stuff.
No doubt Derrick told her to send it. Probably didn’t even read it before forwarding it along
Back then, even the smallest thing I said got twisted into an attack on Molly. Now she was straight-up insulting me, and he acted like he didn’t see it.
Obviously, Derrick had told her to send it.
I scoffed. Typical.
I deleted them both from my contacts. Felt like closing a door I should’ve slammed years ago.
I figured that was the end of it.
But that night, Derrick video-called me out of nowhere.
On screen, he looked like a ghost of who he used to be drawn face, tired voice.
“Yara, can we stop this? It’s been so long already. Can we just get back together?”
The pleading in his tone felt… surreal. Almost laughable.
Did he seriously think I was still throwing a tantrum?
“I didn’t stop you because I didn’t care. I knew you were traveling and wanted you to have space. Yara, it’s been five years. Don’t tell me you’re really ready to let all that go.”
Before I could say anything, his voice softened.
“Let’s not talk about the bad stuff. Come back tomorrow-I actually have a surprise for you. Something you’ve wanted for years. I was gonna wait until you got back, but I can’t hold it in anymore. Here’s a preview.”
He shifted the camera.
The screen filled with tulips, covering the whole room.
He smiled, holding up a ring box and waving it. “You always said I wouldn’t marry you. Well, here it is. White tulips — your
+25 BONUS
favorite. And the ring’s from OneVow-the kind you can only customize once in a lifetime. I even invited reporters. I was planning to upload the proposal video…”
He just kept going.
I looked past him, at the tulips in full bloom.
He finally got the flower right. Tulips were my favorite.
But white tulips? They stood for pure, flawless love.
Right now, it felt like a sick joke.
“I’m not coming back,” I said quietly.
“You’re not coming back?” He froze, then sighed. “I knew it. You’re still mad. Fine, then I’ll come to you. We’ll do the proposal in Inglane instead.”
