"I agree with you that I shouldn't have engaged into any kind of interaction with Tang while he was married to you. But that is a conflict between me and myself. From your perspective, it may have been infidelity but I wasn't the one in a relations.h.i.+p with you. So your grouse should have been with Tang and not me. And even if you thought that I did owe you something, I believe after the incident with Fu at Moganshan, I kinda paid for it with my blood. I even have a scar to show for it. Don't bother denying your involvement. It's not a question. So one way or the other, I have no obligations towards you," she said with a glint in her eye.

Mei Zhen had not expected that such words would come out of Jia Li's mouth ever. She stood there, unsure of how to react or what to say next.

Jia Li softened her countenance and said, "I don't want to say anything hurtful to you. This is not a justification but I just want to tell you that I never wanted to come between Tang and you. It was my reticence due to which Tang ended up marrying you in the first place. It has taken me many years and a trunkful of guts to finally chase my happiness. The only thing that I wish to say to you is, if you have found the one that you want to spend the rest of your life with, don't waste your time in holding onto the grudges and angsts of the past. You won't achieve anything except momentary gratification and lingering dissatisfaction. I leave the decision to you. Now if you will excuse me, I have an appointment to keep. Best of luck with your life," with that, she got up and walked away.

1pm, Few Miles Away

Sam woke up and stretched her arms above her head like a satiated cat. A smile was hovering on her lips for no reason. Without opening her eyes, she slid her hand on the bed next to her, only to find the cool blanket. Frowning, she blinked and looked around in the room but he was nowhere to be found. Rotating her bruised hand clockwise, she found her phone and scrolled through the messages.

"I have left for work. Have informed your team about your leave of absence today. Rest in and take care of the hand. I shall see you in the evening," Wei's message sat at the top of her inbox.

With a shy smile, she read and re-read it before getting up and walking to the bathroom. Evening was too far away and her hand was almost ok. She went to get dressed.

"Who has fixed an appointment with you???" Wei was in his father's cabin.

Mr. w.a.n.g had debated whether to tell his son about it or not. He knew that ever since Wei had come back from London, something had drastically changed about him. He had guessed the reason for it but had never prodded. In a way, this crisis regarding the breaking of partners.h.i.+p had been a blessing in disguise for his son. But now, she had suddenly visited office and wanted to meet him, as per his office's description. So he didn't know what to make of it.

In the end, he decided to tell Wei. No longer did he wish to keep any sort of artifice or distance from his son. Whatever it was, they would handle it together.

"Has she mentioned the reason for appointment?" Wei asked, still in shock.

"No, she just sought the meeting. What do you want to do?" his father asked him.

Wei turned his face sideways, avoiding to look in his father's eyes.

"Please meet her. If she needs any help, please extend her your support," with that he took a step towards the cabin's door.

"I have instructed the reception to put her up in the first floor conference room at 4pm. In case you change your mind…" his father told his retreating form.

Wei didn't stop and kept walking ahead. He had a thousand confusing thoughts in his mind. When he had woken up this morning, he had experienced a strong gush of uncertainty.

Sleeping with Sam was different from the previous flings which he used to indulge in. She was a woman made for a stable relations.h.i.+p, made for love and laughter, made for… not someone like him who was damaged goods.

If that wasn't enough for him to deal with, Jia Li's surprise visit had completely thrown him off the curve. He didn't know what to do. He was worried that the temptation to see her would be too strong and he wouldn't be able to refrain himself.