Chapter 121

Philip's POV

I stood on the sidewalk in front of the Howard Technologies building,my fingers repeatedly tapping against the pocket of my suit jacket. The chilly wind blew past, yet it couldn't dispel the restlessness burning inside me.Each time someone emerged from the revolving doors, I unconsciously straightened my back, my gaze eagerly searching for that familiar figure.

Here I was,looking for Annie again. I knew it wasn't right, that I resembled a pathetic stalker. But I simply couldn't stop myself. I needed to see her, needed to talk to her. A day without seeing her felt like I'd lost the ability to breathe.

What had happened to me? I never imagined I would become like this. A grown man, standing outside my ex-wife's workplace like some high school kid with a crush. But I couldn't control myself. I had to see her.

It had been nearly two hours, and Annie still hadn't appeared. I checked my watch; it was just past three o'clock. She wouldn't be off work soon,but maybe she would come down to buy a beverage or something. I tried to calm my nerves, rehearsing in my mind what I would say when I finally saw her.

"Annie, we need to talk..."

"Annie, I was wrong, please give me another chance..."

"Annie, for Brian's sake, we should..."

No matter which opening line I chose, they all seemed weak and hollow.

The conversation with Ruth still cut like a sharp blade, the pain vividly stinging my nerves.

And most importantly, Ruth wouldn't help me at all!

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, the pain bringing me momentary clarity. Ruth was right-I had hurt Annie,but only now did I understand how serious my mistakes had been.

Not far away, two security guards were eyeing me suspiciously. I straightened my tie, trying hard to look like a client here on business rather than a pathetic man obsessed with his ex-wife. I had to see Annie,had to win her back before she completely fell into Howard's arms. The mere thought of Annie and Howard together sent a twisting pain through my stomach.

A security guard approached me. "Sir, can I help you with something?"

"I'm waiting for someone," I replied dryly.

"I'm sorry, but company policy prohibits non-employees from loitering here. If you have an appointment..."

"Philip?"

Hearing that voice, my heart nearly stopped. I spun around quickly, and there stood Annie, holding a stack of papers, her brow slightly furrowed.She wore a simple navy blue dress, a style I'd never seen before, making her look both professional and elegant. This wasn't the Annie I knew;this Annie looked... more independent,more confident.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was calmn and cold, as if we were mere acquaintances.

"Annie, I..." All the lines I had rehearsed countless times vanished.I stepped forward. "Can we talk?”

Her gaze grew wary, and she took a small step backward. A flash of fatigue crossed her eyes before she sighed. "Again? Philip. What exactly do you want?"

"Please, just a few minutes." I heard a tremor in my own voice.

Annie checked her watch and nodded impatiently. "Five minutes, and then you must leave. I'm tired of this harassment."

The security guard retreated doubtfully but remained watching us from a distance.

"I want tó get back together." The words rushed out, much more direct than I had planned.

Annie froze momentarily, then laughed-a laugh devoid of any warmth."Get back together? We're already divorced,Philip."

"I know, but we can start over." I said urgently. "I can break up with Sarah,I can-"

"You can abandon another woman?" Annie interrupted me. "Just like you abandoned me?"

Her words doused the fire of my hope like ice water. "No, this is different.I... I've come to my senses. Annie, we had six years of marriage, we have a son together. How can we just end it like this?"

"Those are all in the past, Philip." Annie's tone was frighteningly calm."You have Sarah now, and I have Howard. Our lives have already begun moving forward."

Hearing Howard'sname, a wave of unnamed anger surged within me. "I can even overlook your relationship with Howard," I blurted out,immediately regretting my choice of words.

Annie's expression turned icy. "Overlook? What right do you have to overlook anything? My life is none of your business, Philip."

She turned to leave, and without thinking, I rushed forward and pulled her into my arms. "Don't go!"

Familiar sensations instantly overwhelmed me. Annie's body contours,the feel of her hair, her body temperature-everything was so familiar,momentarily transporting me back to the past.

I greedily breathed in, wanting to revisit her remembered scent,but detected an unfamiliar note instead. It wasn't any perfume I had given her,but a cooler, masculine essence. Howard's scent. This foreign fragrance stung my nostrils, reminding me that Annie no longer belonged to me.

Her body stiffened instantly in my embrace, like ice. Then she pushed me away forcefully, causing me to stumble back two steps. Her face turned pale. then quickly flushed red, as if humiliated, she rapidly wiped her arms with her hands, as if trying to erase my touch.

"Don't touch me!" Annie's voice wasn't loud, but each word felt like an ice pick. Her eyes flashed with anger, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "You have no right to touch me, understand?"

I stood frozen, shocked by her intense reaction. This wasn't the Annie I knew; she had never rejected my touch before, even after our worst arguments. This profound disgust was new, leaving me feeling suffocated.

Annie stepped back to create a safe distance, straightening the collar I had

disturbed.

"Were six years of marriage really so easy for you to let go?" My voice carried a hint of pleading.

"Yes." One simple word that collapsed my world.

I released her wrist, feeling a wave of dizziness. "At least for Brian's sake..."

"Brian?" Annie's voice suddenly rose. "That same Brian who's been neglected by your mother, who you barely acknowledge? You remember him now?"

Her words struck a nerve. I had been neglecting him lately. I was too busy with work and Sarah's issues. I thought Brian would adjust...

"I can change," I heard myself say. "Annie, I really can change.Please give me a chance."

She shook her head, hereyes revealing an emotion close to pity. "You always say that, Philip. Every time you come looking for me, it's the same words. But the truth is, you haven't changed; you're just realizing Sarah isn't as wonderful as you imagined, so you're back seeking me out."

"It's not like that!"I protested. "I'm sincere."

"Let me go, Philip." Her voice was calm but resolute.

"I love you, Annie. I've always loved you." I knew I sounded pathetic, but at that moment, I didn't care.

Annie forcefully pushed me away, stepping back, her eyes flashing with anger. "If you loved me, you wouldn't have abandoned me immediately after your first date with Sarah. If you loved me, you wouldn't have taken

my son away from me. If you loved me, you wouldn't have realized your so-called love only after our divorce."

Each of her words hit mewith precision. I felt my eyes burning but fought hard to hold back tears.

"What about Howard?" I asked, almost through gritted teeth. "How do you know he won't be just like me? It's in aman's nature to seek new targets after getting what he wants."

Annie's expression softened slightly, it seemed. "The difference between you and Howard is that you never knew what you truly wanted. Before you had Sarah, you thought she was the best; after losing me, you suddenly thought I was irreplaceable. You always want what you can't have.Philip."

"And Howard..."

"Howard knows what he wants." A deep male voice came from behind me.

I turned to see Howard Thompson standing there, his tall figure casting a shadow. He showed no hostility, simply walking calmly to Annie's side and gently placing his hand on her shoulder.

What pained me was that Annie not only didn't avoid his touch as she had mine, but actually leaned slightly toward him, that naturally expressed intimacy cutting me like a knife.

"The person I love has already appeared," Howard said, looking at Annie,then turned to me, "and that won't change."