Big Success in her Career after Dumping her Ex-boyfriend

Stefan supported Noreen, who was weak, as they walked out of the hospital. She was still emotional, and she leaned against Stefan's shoulder. Tears kept running down her cheeks.

Noreen clutched Stefan's hand tightly, and her nails nearly dug into his skin.

"Stefan, I was really scared just now. I thought you were going to leave me. I can't live without you..."

Stefan frowned slightly. He was seemingly a bit uncomfortable as Noreen was so intimate with him.

The evening breeze carried a chill, clearing his mind a little bit.

He recalled the scene in the hospital room just now, especially Verena's gaze at him.

It was filled with disappointment, sarcasm, and a kind of estrangement that he couldn't decipher.

A sense of indescribable frustration welled up within Stefan.

He pushed Noreen away and said impatiently, "Alright. Don't overthink it. I'll take you home now."

On their way, Noreen continued to voice her grievances.

"I know Verena is hospitalized, and you need to take care of her. I shouldn't have bothered you. But I'm all alone here and feel out of place in a new city. Besides you, I don't know who else I can rely on."

Stefan listened silently, but he didn't respond.

Memories of his time with Verena over the years floated through his mind.

He knew he had let Verena down, but he couldn't bring himself to reject Noreen's incessant demands.

After dropping Noreen off at her apartment building, Stefan intended to leave.

However, Noreen held his hand and pleaded pitifully, "Stefan, come upstairs for a while. Have a cup of coffee before you go. I'm still a bit scared when I am at home alone."

Stefan wanted to refuse. But when he saw Noreen's reddened eyes and trembling body, the words stuck in his throat.

He nodded and said, "Alright. I'll go up with you, but I will only stay for five minutes."

After they went upstairs, Noreen said, "Let me make you some ginger tea. Wait a moment."

Stefan checked his watch and declined.

But Noreen said, "It's so cold now. You'd better have some ginger tea to warm you up. Otherwise, how will you take care of Verena if you fall ill?"

Stefan softened his heart when he thought about Verena.

He said, "Alright. I'll stay a bit longer."

While waiting for the ginger tea, Noreen took a shower.

When she walked out, she was wearing a cream-colored silk nightgown that revealed her well-proportioned figure.

The ginger tea was ready, and Noreen sat close to Stefan, holding the cup.

"The tea will cool soon. Finish it."

They were too close, and the subtle scent of gardenias mixed with the spicy aroma of ginger tea wafted into Stefan's nose.

Suddenly, he stood up. The abrupt movement caused most of the tea to spill from the cup in his hand.

"Don't act like this. I've told you before. You and I are just friends. I love Verena."

Stefan's tone was resolute and undeniable.

But his words pierced through Noreen's facade like a needle, instantly shattering it.

She asked tearfully, "If you love Verena, why do you keep leaving her for the sake of me? Do you despise me? I've been divorced. I don't have as good an educational background as she has, and my job isn't as respectable as hers." Do you think I'm not good enough for you?"

Stefan replied seriously, "I don't despise you, but I only see you as a friend. Maybe some of my actions have misled you, but I need to clarify that I only want to marry Verena."

"I don't believe it." Noreen suddenly lunged forward and hugged Stefan tightly from behind. "Stefan, I know you have feelings for me. I don't need a title. I can be your secret lover. As long as I can stay around you, I'm willing to do anything. This is my only wish. Please let me have you."

Noreen's cheek pressed against Stefan's back. Her tears soaked through his shirt.

Stefan pried her hands away forcefully and said impatiently, "Noreen, come to your senses. Such thoughts are dangerous and unethical. I'm leaving. Think it through."

"I will die if you leave." Noreen grabbed a fruit knife from the table and held it to her neck.

"Stefan, if you dare step out of this door, I'll end it right now." Noreen's eyes were bloodshot, and she was trembling all over with emotion.

Stefan's heart raced with fear. He quickly stepped forward. But he didn't didn't get too close to Noreen, as he was afraid of provoking her.

"Noreen, don't act impulsively. Put the knife down. I won't leave. I'll stay with you. Alright?"

After Stefan comforted Noreen for a long while, she finally set the knife down.

She continued to cry and refused to let Stefan leave. She threatened that if he walked out, she would kill herself.

Out of options, Stefan reluctantly agreed to stay.