The elevator ride up to the penthouse felt like a descent into my own undoing. My fingers trembled around the engagement ring box—cold metal, heavy with meaning. I had said yes two weeks ago, and now I was here to take it back.\n\nRain lashed against the glass walls as I stepped into the foyer. Zhou Sheng’an stood by the window, still in his suit, tie loosened. He didn’t turn. 'You don’t have to do this,' he said, voice low. 'I know you’re afraid.'\n\nMy breath caught. How could he always see through me? 'I can’t be what you need,' I whispered. 'I’ll break us.'\n\nHe finally faced me. Not angry. Not disappointed. Just sad. 'You already are what I need. The rest we’ll figure out—together.'\n\nI clutched the box tighter. One step forward, and I hand it back. One step back, and I run. Or… I could stay. Could I?