It was an impulse he couldn't resist, a deviation from his usual calculated behavior.

Upstairs, Laura stood by the window, silently observing the scene below.

She saw Edwin's arrival, his confrontation with Lina, and the emotional slap.

She remained there, not descending to join them.

The reality of the situation was a painful realization.

She felt as if she had been repeatedly slapped, her emotions a tangled mix of shame and embarrassment. But life would go on, and she had to carry her pain alone.

Now she realized Edwin's actions were mere retribution.

Ultimately, he would choose someone of his social standing to marry and start a family with.

Vanessa, the woman who had admired her designs, seemed to be the one.

They appeared to be a good match. For Laura, there was no longer any question of holding on. The entire relationship, from start to finish, seemed nothing more than a play of revenge, perhaps with a touch of amusement to Edwin.

What was the point in clinging to something that was never meant to be?

Letting the curtain close, Laura moved to her desk and picked up her medication, swallowing it without water.

The bitterness was a stark reminder-- she needed to be clear-headed.

She couldn't allow herself to get entangled with Edwin any further.

Despite this resolution, tears of sorrow and humiliation streamed down her cheeks. The shame might haunt her for years, but eventually, she would move past it.

Her phone then rang, displaying an unfamiliar number. It took her a moment to recognize it as Edwin's.

Laura's gaze fixed upon the incoming call.

The phone persisted in its insistent ringing, and after a moment's contemplation, she answered it.

A heavy silence enveloped the other end.

Laura, too, maintained her wordless stance.