Chapter 2

2 At the apartment complex entrance, I received a call.

It was Mark's friend, his voice accusatory.

"Sarah, why are you fighting with Mark again? He's been drinking, and nobody can stop him."

"Come quickly, get him home, he's about to wreck my bar."

I felt helpless.

"I don't know why he's angry. He just flipped the table as soon as he walked in."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, a tone of surprise.

"You don't know? Mark found out you had dinner with another guy, and he even drove you back to your hotel. He's jealous."

I explained, "He was a client; dinner was purely business. He drove me because it was raining, and I couldn't find a cab."

So that was the real reason for Mark's anger.

Mark had always been like this.

He'd get jealous and angry if I spoke to another guy.

I knew it was because he loved me and was possessive.

But now, I only felt exhausted.

"I can explain everything, but I just don't understand."

My voice was soft as I spoke into the phone.

"Why would he rather tell you guys than ask me?"

I'd asked my best friend before.

What did she do when she argued with her boyfriend?

My friend thought for a moment, then said.

"It depends on who's right and who's wrong. Once you both calm down, talk it out."

But Mark wouldn't.

He kept everything bottled up.

I never knew why he was angry.

I always had to guess or ask his friends.

I couldn't understand why he wouldn't communicate with me.

I couldn't understand why he'd rather confide in his friends than ask me for clarification.

Later, I learned a new word: stubborn.

Mark was the most stubborn person I'd ever met.

He was sensitive and moody.

He only ever avoided and retreated, using cold words to test me.

Everyone said stubborn people weren't suitable for relationships.

But I didn't believe it, rushing in with a heart full of passion.

But now I was confused.

If only one person always took the initiative,

Could this relationship really last?

I moved back to my own apartment.

But we couldn't avoid each other at work.

We worked at the same research institute, but in different departments.

During a work handover, I saw Mark with a young woman.

She had a sweet demeanor, a recent graduate, named Jessica.

When Mark saw me, his eyes lit up.

But I ignored him, calmly finishing the handover.

Mark's warm expression immediately turned cold.

He walked past me without a word, avoiding eye contact.

I heard Jessica curiously gossiping.

"Professor Mark has a huge scar on his arm; I was startled when I first saw it."

Someone answered.

"You're new here; you wouldn't know. Professor Mark and Sarah from the next department, they were a couple, known as the perfect pair."

"That scar is from an earthquake drill years ago. Professor Mark carried Sarah when she was injured. I heard he couldn't become a pilot because of the scar, so he switched majors and came to our institute."

Jessica's eyes were filled with envy: "So touching, they really are a perfect match."

Everyone's curiosity was piqued.

From Mark giving up his dreams for me to applying to this institute,

Everyone praised Mark's devotion, and expressed envy towards me.

Our recent cold war was now portrayed as a playful lovers' spat.

"I bet Sarah will apologize first."

"Last time it was buying us bubble tea; what will it be this time? I want cupcakes."

"I disagree; you're cheating. Sarah always apologizes first. If you bet on Mark apologizing, then I'll take that bet."

I stood silently in the corner, listening to their laughter.

But this time, they were all wrong.

"Mark and I broke up; please don't mention it again."

My appearance ended the conversation.

Everyone looked at each other, then dispersed.

The truth was, our relationship wasn't as perfect as everyone thought.

The repeated cold wars and arguments.

Had unknowingly left scars, making it precarious.

I wondered, if I stopped trying to fix things, stopped trying to save it,

Would Mark realize it? Would he try to win me back?

Would he apologize first this time?