When Hearts Collide: From Ashes to Love

After the farewell dinner, Zoe couldn't hold it in any longer. On the way back, she cursed Aaron relentlessly. "That disgusting man really did go abroad! He must have chased after his childhood sweetheart! Ugh, I swear, I curse those two jerks—may they never…"

Marian quickly covered her mouth. "Watch your words. Don't let it backfire on you."

Zoe, frustrated and unwilling to give up, turned to Marian with a look of exasperation. "Aren't you angry at all?"

Marian shrugged. "There's nothing to be angry about. I already guessed he would follow Yao Ning to the U.S."

Previously, she had run into Wan Ming and learned that Yao Ning had broken up with him during their junior year summer vacation. It was perfectly reasonable for Aaron to go to the U.S., comforting Yao Ning and solidifying his role.

When it was time for the graduation photos, Marian didn't return to school or even plan on having a photo taken. Zoe took matters into her own hands and had the class president Photoshop Marian's portrait onto the group photo.

When she later received the graduation picture and saw her face placed next to Aaron's on the side of the group shot, she smiled helplessly.

After starting work, Marian had a brief relationship. The guy was a local from Xi City, with well-off parents who both worked as government officials. Unfortunately, after six months, when he brought her home to meet his family, their relationship was met with strong opposition from his parents.

And so, the relationship ended without a resolution.

After that, Marian focused entirely on her career.

Someone like her—without parents or support—knew very well how the world worked. In today's society, marriage was all about matching backgrounds: the wealthy with the wealthy, the powerful with the powerful. With her grandmother being seen as a burden in others' eyes, it was better not to marry or have children at all.

On Sunday, Marian helped Zoe at the cashier counter again, but only for half a day before heading back early.

She planned to move her luggage to the hotel a night ahead, so she could head straight to work on Monday morning.

Marian opened her cabinet, casually picking a few sets of clothes and daily toiletries. She packed three pairs of shoes, just enough to fill one suitcase.

Before leaving, she intentionally brought Aaron's umbrella along, planning to return it to him on Monday.

At the hotel reception, Marian confirmed her reservation under Yutou's company name for a long-term rental. Dragging her suitcase behind her, she entered the designated standard room.

She and Liang Meiqi were the only two women on the project team, so they naturally shared a room.

It truly lived up to its four-star rating: spacious, well-equipped, and well-insulated against noise. Marian lay comfortably on the bed and sent Zoe a message to let her know she had arrived safely.

After organizing her belongings, the sky had already turned completely dark. Marian went out and found a small restaurant nearby for a quick meal.

Tonight, the moonlight was exceptionally bright. Marian found a stone bench, sat down, and called her grandmother via video chat.

The call connected, and a caregiver at the nursing home, Aunt Zhang, greeted her cheerfully before handing the phone to Marian's grandmother.

On the screen, her grandmother looked frail and lost, her gaze vacant and unfocused.

Marian's chest tightened, and her eyes grew moist. "Grandma, have you been eating well? Sleeping well?"

Her grandmother stared blankly at the screen, unable to recognize Marian or say a word for a long time.

Something wasn't right. Marian's heart sank. The last time they had talked, her grandmother had looked healthy and sounded strong. How had things deteriorated so quickly in just half a month?

Marian quickly turned to Aunt Zhang and asked what was happening. Aunt Zhang smiled awkwardly and tried to reassure her. "Nothing's wrong, Marian. Don't worry. Look at your grandma—her face is even fuller now."

"But she looks so tired, like she doesn't even recognize me," Marian said softly.

Aunt Zhang sighed. "Marian, you know your grandmother's illness better than anyone. Her condition is worsening by the day. It's Alzheimer's. A few years ago, she could still recognize people and hold a conversation. But after this past New Year, her condition has rapidly declined. She's reached the point where she can't even recognize you now."

Marian looked down, silent. She knew Aunt Zhang was doing her best. "Thank you, Aunt Zhang. Please contact me if anything happens."

She hung up the call, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. Standing up, she started walking back toward the hotel.

As soon as she turned a corner, she unexpectedly ran into Aaron.

He wasn't wearing his usual suit. Instead, he had on a black dress shirt paired with gray slacks, layered under a knee-length black trench coat. With his tall, broad frame, he exuded an imposing aura.

Marian didn't know how long he had been standing there or whether he had overheard her conversation with Aunt Zhang.

In reality, she was overthinking it. Aaron had just finished working overtime and was about to grab some dinner when he turned the corner and bumped into her.

Noticing the tears lingering on her lashes, Aaron frowned slightly. The strong Marian actually cries?

Didn't she just curse me out with her friends yesterday? Now here she is, hiding away and crying.

"You… moved into the hotel early?" he asked.

Marian, feeling emotionally drained, didn't want to talk much. She simply nodded. "Mm."

Aaron wasn't oblivious. He pointed casually ahead. "I'm going to grab dinner."

They passed each other, walking in opposite directions. But after a few steps, Marian suddenly remembered something and turned back.

"Mr. Fu, your umbrella is upstairs. Do you want me to get it for you?"

Before Aaron could respond, his phone rang. He held up a hand to gesture for her to wait.

The night breeze carried his voice as he answered the call, his previously cold tone softening noticeably.

"Hello, Ning Ning?"