When Caleb Thorne and I broke up, it was ugly. He, the proud, untouchable prodigy, knelt on the ground and begged me not to go. I only hesitated for a second before pulling my hand away and leaving without looking back. Four years later, I saw Caleb again. It was at a business dinner to sign the rights for my novel. He was the CEO, sitting at the head of the table, waiting for people to toast him. I was the small-time author sitting at the far end, waiting for him to greenlight the movie deal. He looked at me, his eyes calm and devoid of emotion, a cold smirk playing on his lips. "Drink three shots, and I'll consider signing the contract." 1 "Drink three shots, and I'll consider signing the contract." As Caleb's words fell, the room went dead silent. Every eye at the table turned to me. Those gazes felt like needles. I stiffened. Sitting next to me was my editor, Sarah. She quickly stood up, holding her wine glass with a slight bow. "Our Lana isn't much of a drinker, Mr. Thorne. Can I drink this one for her?" Caleb didn't speak. Sarah froze, caught in an awkward limbo. The tension was palpable. Caleb was openly putting me on the spot. The original investor had been arrested for fraud, and now the entire production crew was praying Caleb would take over. If he walked, the project was dead. I exhaled slowly. "It's okay, Sarah." I looked at Caleb, trying to find a trace of the boy I once knew in his sharp, defined features. "If I drink, you'll sign?" "If you drink, I'll sign." His gaze held a cold mockery that ignited a spark of anger in my chest. I reached across the table for a glass of pink sparkling wine. Before I could touch it, a large hand covered the rim. Caleb nodded toward a bottle of high-proof whiskey next to it, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Drink that." I paused. "What do you mean, Mr. Thorne?" "When you're begging for something, you should show the proper attitude..." He tapped the table with his knuckle. "You taught me that." Humiliation burned my cheeks. I gritted my teeth and grabbed the whiskey glass. One shot. Two shots. The burning liquid exploded in my throat. I couldn't help but cough violently. As I raised the third glass to my lips, Caleb suddenly stood up and snatched it from my hand. "Forget it." He tossed the glass aside. It hit the carpet with a dull thud, a dark stain spreading across the fabric. He didn't even look at it, his voice cold. "Ms. Lane is coughing so much, people might think I'm bullying her." The atmosphere relaxed slightly. The assistant director jumped in to smooth things over. "Mr. Thorne, technically Ms. Lane isn't part of the crew. "Mr. Thorne, on behalf of the entire production team, I'll drink to you." The assistant director poured a full glass and downed it. He looked at Caleb, ready to pour another. But Caleb looked bored. He stared at me for a long moment, then scoffed. "Sit down." 2 Halfway through the dinner, I finally found a chance to escape to the restroom. Cold water splashed on my burning face. I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked pathetic. It was a complete reversal of our positions four years ago. Four years. It felt like a lifetime. Back then, his roommate called me, begging me to come see him. I couldn't resist. I went. Caleb was drinking at a street stall, surrounded by seven or eight empty bottles. When he saw me, he instinctively smiled, then realized what was happening and grabbed my arm. "Lana." He buried his face in my palm. His tears were hot, burning my skin. His voice was hoarse, begging. "Please don't go. Don't break up with me, okay?" I only hesitated for a second before pulling my hand away firmly. "No." I remember exactly what I said. "Caleb, I'm tired. "I can't pretend to like you for even one more second." I stared blankly at the mirror, suddenly hearing voices from the stalls. "What's the deal with Mr. Thorne and that Lana girl? Is he really going to drop the investment because of her?" "So annoying. She's just a small-time author. She sold the rights, got her money, why did she have to come to this dinner? Was she aiming for Mr. Thorne?" "Maybe Mr. Thorne hates her because she tried to sleep her way to the top and failed. Hehe." It was two production assistants. They seemed to be just touching up their makeup. Their voices faded as they left. A second later, their laughter cut off abruptly, replaced by nervous stammering. "Mr... Mr. Thorne." Silence. Two seconds later, one of them gathered the courage to speak. "Mr. Thorne, we'll head back now." Caleb's voice was low, laced with ice. "Don't bother. "I'll have HR contact you later." The implication was clear. The two girls, who had been laughing a moment ago, started begging quietly, like chickens with their necks wrung. Caleb didn't say another word, true to his reputation in the business world. The Midas touch. Cold and heartless. 3 A few minutes later, the voices outside finally died down. I walked out. A tall figure was leaning against the hallway wall. Head down, unlit cigarette between his fingers. Caleb hadn't left. I pretended not to see him and tried to walk past, but he grabbed my arm. Not hard, but enough to make me stumble in my tipsy state and crash into his chest. Caleb didn't push me away. He let me lean against him for support. He curled his lip. "Pretending you didn't see me?" "Don't move." Dizziness washed over me like a tide. I gripped his sleeve, looking up with a frown. "...I'm gonna be sick." Caleb's muscles tensed, as if afraid I'd actually vomit on him. "You smell like smoke." Caleb let out a scoff of disbelief. "Lana, are you for real? "I didn't even light it." "Oh." The dizziness faded slightly. I let go and stood straight. Caleb was silent for a moment, then spoke suddenly. "I'm the CEO of Zenith Capital now. If I loosen my grip just a little, the investment amount could add a zero. "I heard from Director Shen that you went to Star Media before this. Begging people isn't fun, is it?" The hint of ambiguity that had lingered vanished instantly. Four years later, Caleb still knew exactly how to hurt me. I had been writing for years without much success, but I clung to my pride. He wanted to break that pride. He wanted me to beg. I looked at Caleb and laughed. "Caleb, what do you want? "You want me to wag my tail and beg for mercy? You want me to regret breaking up with you? "Sorry. I already sold the rights. Even if the movie doesn't get made, I did my part. "Sign the contract if you want. Burn it if you don't." I looked down at my phone and sent a message to Sarah. In the dim light, Caleb's profile looked cold and rakish. He pressed his thin lips together and said nothing. Finally, I looked up and smiled. "Someone's here to pick me up. Goodbye, Mr. Thorne." 4 I got into Evan’s car. As we drove away, I saw Caleb still standing at the door. The alcohol made my temples throb. I looked away. "Thanks for picking me up, Evan." The window rolled down, the night breeze blowing away the tension of the evening. Silence stretched until the car stopped at my apartment. Evan turned to me. "Did the signing not go well? The guy at the door... he looked familiar." "Really? You probably saw wrong." I was distracted. Despite my brave words, I was worried Sarah would text me saying Caleb had flipped the table and walked. Evan sighed. "Was that Caleb Thorne?" "Uh... what?" I froze. "You know him?" Evan's voice was calm. "I remember he was your ex-boyfriend. Is that why you're upset tonight?" I smiled awkwardly. "You remember that..." It made sense. In college, Caleb was a star. Finance department hunk, gold medal debater, scholarship winner. When people mentioned me, it was always just, "Oh, Caleb's girlfriend. She's kinda plain." Out of some strange pride, I rarely let Caleb come to my department. I didn't think Evan would remember. My phone pinged, saving me from the awkwardness. Sarah: 【Are you okay? Mr. Thorne said you weren't feeling well and left early. Good news: Mr. Thorne said we'll sign tomorrow.】 As I read it, another message popped up. An unsaved number, but I recognized it instantly. Unknown: 【The movie is shooting. You're the on-set screenwriter. I'll have someone bring you the contract tomorrow.】 I paused. This was actually good for me. Many authors lose control of the plot after selling the rights. Being a screenwriter meant I could protect my story. Caleb letting me participate was surprisingly decent. Thinking of this, I said goodbye to Evan in a better mood, missing the hesitant look on his face. Evan smiled. "If you need anything, call me anytime." 5 I dreamed of Caleb for the first time in ages. In the dream, we were sophomores. I was a substitute debater for the Literature department because the original member got sick. The opposing fourth debater was Caleb. He was famous for his aggressive style and sharp tongue. We lost, predictably. During the awards ceremony, a judge joked, "Mr. Thorne didn't seem to be fighting at full strength today?" Caleb glanced at me with a half-smile. "Mhm... it was enough. Otherwise, I'd have to comfort her myself later." Before I could react, the camera clicked. In the photo, Caleb and I stood side by side. He tilted his head slightly, looking at me, the corners of his mouth turned up. A second after that photo was taken, Caleb leaned down and whispered in my ear: "Girlfriend, you look beautiful today." I blinked, dragged out of the old dream by my alarm. The same unknown number had sent several more messages. Unknown (23:25): 【Home yet? Reply.】 Unknown (23:31): 【Did Evan take you home?】 Unknown (23:49): 【Lana, if you don't reply by midnight, the contract offer expires.】 Unknown (3:02): 【It's Caleb.】 I almost laughed. I texted Sarah first to say I'd be at the set today. Then I replied to Caleb: 【Got it. I'll join the crew.】 Caleb: 【1】 Caleb: 【Accept my friend request on WeChat. I'll send the digital contract.】 I opened my friend requests. The familiar avatar lay there quietly. Blocked for four years. Same avatar, same nickname. It was like he had been waiting there stubbornly. I watched the "Typing..." status at the top of the chat flicker and disappear. After an unknown amount of time, he sent a message. Caleb: 【Lana, it's Caleb.】 It felt like time reversed. When I first met Caleb, I hesitated for a long time before stopping him. I wiped the sweat from my palms. "Caleb, I'm Lana."
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