His tone hardened. "Suit yourself. I need to talk to you about something."

"The factory is going to award you 'Employee of the Month'. Sarah is right behind you in line. I need you to tell the factory you don't want it, and give it to Sarah."

I looked at him, my eyes dull. So that was why he’d been so nice. He’d been buttering me up.

"I earned that recognition."

My stance was clear: I wasn’t giving it up.

He looked at me impatiently, frowning.

"Sarah is married and moving to the city. Only 'Employee of the Month' gets transferred to the city branch. Can't you understand her situation as a woman?"

I scoffed. Sarah was already married, and he was still going out of his way for her.

No wonder he’d carried a torch for her for over thirty years.

I remembered how, in my past life, my 'Employee of the Month' award had been abruptly revoked and given to Sarah.

Judging by his attitude now, he'd probably sabotaged my chances.

"I can't give it up." I looked away, calmly stating, "I earned it."

My composure infuriated John. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth.

"Amy! I don't know how I ended up marrying such a cold, heartless woman! You have no compassion!"

He slammed the door and left, the already flimsy wooden door rattling in its frame.

John went to the city and didn't come back that night.

I found out from the ticket salesman.

It went without saying who he was with.

In my past life, he wouldn't have gone to the city after an argument. He'd have spent the night in the school office.

And the next morning, I would have humbled myself, begging him at the school gates to come home.

Or perhaps, I wouldn’t have even known he’d gone to the city at all.

But not this time. I would never crush my self-respect to appease him again.

I bought a train ticket to Miami, leaving in five days. Instead of going home, I wandered around town.

This was my second time in the city. The first time was with John.

Walking down the street, I couldn't help but recall the beginning of our relationship.

We’d met on a blind date. He was straightforward, not very good at sweet-talking.

After a few meetings, he asked, "Want to go to the city?"

Walking through the city, he pointed out all the interesting sights.

He bought me cotton candy, candied apples, and hair clips.

It was the first time I had anything so sweet it made my teeth ache.

As we walked, he took my hand, so nervous I could hear his heart beating. He said, "Amy, I don't know how to treat a girl right. I heard that if you like her, you should keep buying her things."

Back then, I didn't understand what a confession was. I ended up with him in a daze.

If I'd known then that John often came to the city to pursue Sarah, I might not have longed to come back.