Parting Ways After Love Fades 3

pter 3 

Warren stepped out of the building to find Shailey leaning against her black Cullinan. Her head was hung low in rumination. 

Walking closer, he saw the “surprise” Wendy had mentioned. 

The car was packed to the brim with dazzling red roses. 

Apart from the passenger seat, the entire back row and trunk overflowed with flowers. 

Behind him, he could hear some of his female colleagues yammering. 

They were hiding behind the office sign, secretly watching what was about to unfold. A lot of playful shoving was going on as they tittered on. 

Shailey would sometimes bring him little gifts when she came to pick him up–things like figurines, game merchandise, or his favorite snacks. 

The office had long grown used to these visits. However, that didn’t stop his coworkers from teasing him at every opportunity. “Every time your sister–in–law shows up, the whole office gets treats! We’re lucky to have you, Warren.” 

In the past, Warren would simply smile and let them joke. He was never stingy with whatever Shailey brought him. 

This time around, everyone must be hoping for a share of the roses in the car. 

“Shailey,” he called out. 

Shailey raised her head, but her expression was sour. Her attitude remained cold as she replied, “From now on, don’t call me by my name. Call me sister–in–law.” 

Warren was stunned for a moment. He offered a slight nod. “Got it, sister–in–law.” 

“I was too harsh on you last night. Don’t take it to heart.” 

“Okay.” 

“But you’re not a kid anymore. Don’t go doing dangerous things like pushing someone down the stairs again.” 

Warren couldn’t believe his ears. He scoffed in disbelief, “So, you’re just here to tell me off?” 

Shailey’s expression darkened. “You still don’t understand what you’ve done wrong, do you?” 

“Shailey, you’ve known me for over 20 years. Even if I really wanted to hurt him, I wouldn’t do such a stupid thing in my own home!” 

His volume rose with frustration, but he quickly regretted it. 

It didn’t matter anymore. He was leaving soon. There was not much point in explaining. 

“Forget it. Just go. Don’t disturb me when I’m at work.” 

When Warren returned to the entrance, the colleagues who had been fooling around were now looking at him with concern. They could clearly sense something amiss. 

“Warren, did the two of you get into a fight?” 

“Don’t be angry! She came over to make peace with you with all those roses. Why don’t you give her a chance?” 

“Exactly! Warren, you’re taking your blessings for granted. A good woman like her is hard to come by.” 

Warren’s expression remained neutral. He brushed them off softly, “Stop hanging around. Go on, get back to work.” 

With his outstanding photography skills, he had a rather strong say in the office. 

Those below him could only obey his commands They returned to their desk with their heads hung low. 

Being one of his closest colleagues, Wendy decided to pull him aside. “Warren, can I ask your sister–in–law for a bouquet of roses? It’s my girlfriend’s birthday today–I’d like to give her something special.” 

Warren sighed, feeling an incoming headache. “ll buy you one later.” 

Back at his desk, he still couldn’t focus. 

After halfheartedly processing a few photos, his phone buzzed. 

Three images popped up on the screen. 

“Which of these do you think looks best?” A message came in with a blushing emoji. 

Jacob sent over pictures of himself in various sleepwear styles, though if he must say, sleepwear” felt like a stretch. 

They were more like provocative lingerie, designed to reveal far more than they covered. 

In the next second, those messages were quickly deleted. 

“Sorry, Warren. Wrong chat.” 

In response, Warren turned off his phone and tossed it into his drawer. 

They both knew that Jacob did not send them to the wrong person. He had undoubtedly done it on purpose. 

It wasn’t until after work that Warren took out his phone and powered it back on. To his 

disappointment, he received no missed calls, text messages, or other notifications–nothing 

at all. 

In the past, Shailey would have flooded him with texts and calls if he went out of reach for over half an hour. On occasions, she would even show up at his workplace. 

But today, there was nothing. 

All of a sudden, a notification popped up on his phone, highlighting a new post on his social 

media feed. 

When he clicked it, an immediately recognizable scene appeared before his eyes. 

It was a black Cullinan filled with bright red roses. 

Jacob sat amid the flowers, holding a bunch of roses in one hand while the other rested on Shailey’s waist. The two were pressed close together in the picture. 

The caption read, “Thank you, my love. This is the best birthday gift I’ve ever received.” 

Oh, so it was Jacob’s birthday. All those roses in her car were meant for him. 

It was time to go home, yet Warren didn’t feel like going home. 

But his mother called, worried for him. “Warren, why have you been working so late these days? Shay just asked if you needed a ride home. 

Getting in her car was the last thing he wanted. 

Neither the passenger seat nor the roses were his. 

“That’s okay, mom. I’ll take a cab back.” 

“Well, alright.” 

When he got home, the couple was there too. 

Jacob was lugging an oversized luggage out of Warren’s room. He greeted, “Warren, you’re back!” 

Warren’s temper flared. “Who let 

you 

into my 

my room?”