Not every choice ends with happiness.
Sometimes—
It begins with someone else's heartbreak.
The next morning—
The shop opened like usual.
But Lian Hua felt it immediately.
The difference.
Because today—
She wasn't just carrying her own emotions.
She was carrying his too.
Chen Kai was already there.
Arranging flowers near the window.
Calm.
Normal.
"…morning," she said softly.
He glanced at her.
"Morning."
A pause.
Because something—
Felt different.
Not obvious.
But present.
"You look like you didn't sleep much," he said.
She gave a small nod.
"…I didn't."
He studied her for a moment.
Then—
"…you met him."
Not a question.
Her chest tightened.
"…yeah."
Silence filled the space.
Because now—
There was no avoiding it.
"And?" he asked.
His voice was steady.
But there was something underneath it.
Something he wasn't showing.
Lian Hua took a slow breath.
"…we talked."
A pause.
Then—
"…we're going to try again."
The words landed.
Softly.
But heavily.
Chen Kai didn't react immediately.
Not with anger.
Not with shock.
Just… stillness.
"I see," he said quietly.
And somehow—
That made it harder.
"I didn't want to hurt you," she added quickly.
He gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"You didn't do anything wrong."
"That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt."
Silence.
Because that—
That was the truth.
He set the flowers down carefully.
Taking his time.
Because if he moved too fast—
It might show.
"I meant what I said," he continued.
"I wasn't expecting anything from you."
Her chest tightened.
"…I know."
"And I'm not going to pretend I don't care."
A pause.
"But I also knew…"
He exhaled quietly.
"…that he was never really gone."
Those words hit deeper than anything else.
Because they were true.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Chen Kai shook his head slightly.
"You don't need to apologize for loving someone."
Silence.
Because that—
That was something only someone like him would say.
"But I do need some space," he added.
Her heart dropped slightly.
"…okay."
Not rejection.
Not anger.
Just… distance.
"I'll still help at the shop," he said.
"But things might feel a little different for a while."
She nodded.
"…I understand."
And she did.
Because choices—
Always had consequences.
That evening—
Zhen Wei stood outside the shop.
Waiting.
When Lian Hua stepped out—
She saw him immediately.
And for the first time—
There was no hesitation.
She walked toward him.
But this time—
She carried everything with her.
Love.
Guilt.
Hope.
Because moving forward—
Didn't mean leaving everything behind.