---
After Su Meilin disappeared behind the rotating glass door, Lin Yue stood rooted at the entrance.
The revolving doors spun gently, like time pushing her forward whether she was ready or not.
Her fingers curled tightly around the strap of her bag.
Her palms were clammy.
Was I being selfish?
Am I really trying to make Yexuan remember… or just ruin the life he's built?
He has a fiancée. A life that doesn't include me anymore.
She blinked, trying to push the pain away.
She'd seen the post of the official engagement preparations—floral arrangements, designer fittings, high-end locations rumored to be booked.
The comments underneath the post were painful to look at.
"Perfect couple!"
"Miss Su is glowing!"
"CEO Liang and Miss Su are finally tying the knot!"
It felt like a knife, slow and jagged.
Her fingers brushed her belly unconsciously.
She pushed the thoughts aside and walked into the building the cool air of the lobby brushing over her skin making her shiver slightly.
Her heels clicked softly as she entered the elevator and pressed the button for the design department.
---
When the doors opened, she was immediately hit with a flurry of activity.
People darted across the floor, arms full of documents, whispering hurriedly into phones, faces tensed with stress.
"Lin Yue!" someone called.
She turned to find Du Liyao by the printer, fighting with a stack of papers that had jammed halfway out of the tray.
"Yaoyao," she said, hurrying over. "What's going on? Why does it feel like everyone's preparing for battle?"
Du Liyao blew a stray strand of hair from her forehead. "You're finally here. Good. I tried calling you earlier."
Lin Yue gave a sheepish smile. "I was in the elevator."
She's probably called while she was at the entrance.
"The project's been pushed forward." Du Liyao's tone was half-disbelief, half-resignation. "The government stepped in. They want it finished in one month."
Lin Yue's eyes widened in shock. "One month?! That's impossible—we just finalized the preliminary drafts."
"I know." Du Liyao's voice was tight. "But the assistant said it came from the top. Some cultural expo is being moved up. They want to unveil the project early as a symbol of architectural harmony."
Architectural harmony.
Lin Yue's eyes widened. No wonder the pressure is insane. This project could define our entire company's credibility in the international arena… and Yexuan's reputation too.
She barely had time to process that before a voice rang out.
"Lin Yue, in my office."
Zhang Qian, their team leader, stood at her door, expression unreadable.
Lin Yue nodded.
"I'll be right back," she murmured to Du Liyao quickly placed her bag on her desk, and made her way inside.
---
Zhang Qian sat behind her desk, her face calm but clearly under stress. She gestured to the chair opposite. "Sit."
Lin Yue sat, folding her hands over her lap.
Zhang Qian didn't waste time. She held up a canvas sketch—a familiar one.
Lin Yue's breath caught.
The sketch I left in his office... He returned it?
Zhang Qian handed it over without a word at first.
"You'll be handling the presentation materials," she said, tone brisk. "We need to start preparing immediately. I want you to prepare for the presentation. I'll need the visual materials ready by tomorrow morning. That includes concept sketches, mockups, and your sustainable framework outline."
Lin Yue nodded. "Understood."
"We'll all be working overtime," Zhang Qian added, then paused. Her voice softened slightly. "Are you… sure you're up for this? I was told you're pregnant."
Lin Yue smiled faintly. "I'll be fine. Thank you for asking."
"You're sure?"
Lin Yue managed a small smile. "Yes. I'm fine. I won't push myself."
Zhang Qian gave her a long look. "Good. But remember, don't carry it all on your shoulders. We're a team. If it gets too much, speak up."
Lin Yue felt a swell of gratitude. "Thank you, truly."
With a nod, Zhang Qian dismissed her.
Lin Yue nodded and left the office.
---
Meanwhile, in Liang Yexuan's office, the door opened with a soft click.
Su Meilin stepped inside like a goddess descending, her maroon figure-hugging dress accentuating every curve.
Her long curls danced as she moved, elegance in every step.
Her red lipstick matched, her makeup flawless.
She was every bit the perfect socialite fiancée, the kind seen on magazine covers or seated at charity galas.
"Yexuan," she purred, walking closer, "I thought we could have lunch together. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Liang Yexuan's fingers didn't pause on the keyboard.
His gaze remained locked on the screen, face expressionless.
Su Meilin's smile twitched, but she refused to falter.
She gracefully sat on the couch across the office. "We barely spend time alone. With the engagement next month, I thought we could talk… bond a little."
Still, nothing.
Her voice turned bitter. "Yexuan, why are you always like this? I'm your fiancée. We're getting engaged officially next month, and you're still so… distant."
She looked at him, aching to reach him.
His fingers finally stilled on the keyboard.
When he raised his eyes to meet hers, Su Meilin's breath caught.
His gaze was so sharp, so piercing, it felt like it could cut through her skin.
His lips parted, and he spoke a single word, low and biting.
"Get out."
Her heart dropped.
She stared at him, stunned, the blood draining from her face. "W-What?"
Before she could say more, her phone buzzed. She glanced down.
William.
She declined.
Buzz. William again.
Decline.
Buzz. Eric.
Decline.
She could feel Liang Yexuan's gaze burning into her, full of icy irritation.
Su Meilin's hands trembled slightly as she shoved the phone into silent mode. "Ignore that," she said, her voice soft. "Let's go to lunch. Just a short one…"
"I don't have time," Liang Yexuan said flatly, turning back to his laptop. "Get out."
This time, the words stripped the last of her dignity.
Her smile crumbled like ash.
"…Alright," she whispered, forcing herself to her feet. "I'll go."
She turned stiffly and walked out.
At the door, she nearly bumped into Jin Shu, who greeted her with a polite nod.
She shot him a glare as sharp as broken glass. He blinked, confused.
"What did I do…" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
---
In the elevator, Su Meilin furiously yanked her phone from her bag.
Eight missed calls from William and Eric in under five minutes.
Her face twisted in frustration.
She called back, pressing the phone to her ear.
"What do you want?!" she snapped when William answered. "I have a fiancé, in case you forgot! Keep your distance and forget last night ever happened!"
There was silence on the other end for a heartbeat.
Then a low, amused chuckle.
On the other end, in the dark VIP corner of Club Black Mist, William leaned back lazily on a velvet couch.
The glow of neon lights danced across his handsome, dangerous face.
He grinned slowly, his white teeth gleaming against his dark skin. Eric, seated beside him, gave a nod.
"Mistake?" William repeated, his tone mocking. "You didn't seem to think it was a mistake when you were screaming my name."
"Shut up!" she hissed, looking around the elevator in panic.
His voice turned icy. "You should come to the club tonight. Or you'll regret it."
"I'm not coming," she bit out.
"If you don't," he said, voice soft and venomous, "Don't make me do it."
"You're threatening me?" she snapped, though her voice shook.
"You'll wish it was just a threat," he replied, and then hung up.
Su Meilin stared at her phone in disbelief, heart thudding.
How dare he threaten me?
She stuffed the phone into her designer handbag, fury blazing in her chest.
Vrrr—
Her phone vibrated again.
She opened her bag angrily, swiping to see the notification.
What she saw made her blood turn to ice.
The world tilted.
She staggered against the side of the elevator as her vision blurred.
Her ears began to buzz, the hum of the elevator drowned by the thudding of her heart.
Her breathing hitched.
"No… no no no…"
---