The Slandered Rebound

The weekend mall was teeming with people, and I found myself staring absentmindedly at the ties in the display window. As I reached out to touch the price tag, a familiar yet strangely distant voice came from behind me. "This one suits you well." I turned around and locked eyes with Wendy James. She was more refined than she had been three years ago, dressed in a bespoke suit, a gold bracelet flashing dazzlingly on her wrist. "Long time no see, Jonny Woods." A faint smile played at the corners of her lips, but her eyes kept flicking over me. I nodded slightly, not intending to say more. As I turned to leave, she briskly walked to the cashier. "Charge this for me, please." She handed over a black card, her movement as casual as if buying a bottle of mineral water. I frowned. "No need, I'll pay for it myself." "Why be so polite?" she asked. She looked back at me, a hint of pity flickering in her eyes. "Starting your own business is hard now—you should save wherever you can." The cashier swiped the card and handed her the neatly wrapped tie. She shoved the tie into my hand, her fingertips brushing lightly against my skin. "If you had listened to me back then and found a stable job, you wouldn't be this strapped for cash now." Her tone was casual, but it stung like a needle. I clenched the tie box. "I'm doing fine now." "Is that so?" She raised an eyebrow, pulled out her phone from her bag, and the screen showed a photo of her with a man. "I'm getting engaged next month. Zane Johnson has been very good to me." She deliberately showed off the diamond ring on her ring finger, its sparkle blinding. "Actually, I've always felt pretty guilty." Her tone shifted, her eyes darkening. "When we parted back then, I was at fault too." No sooner had she spoken than she immediately added, "But people have to look ahead. You should find someone who can support you; don't keep stubbornly holding on." I looked at the conflicted expression on her face—guilt and pride tangled together—and felt only irony. "Thanks for your concern. I must take my leave." I turned away, hearing her faint, almost imperceptible sigh behind me. I stuffed that tie into my bag, like clutching a hot potato.