After coming down from the trail, Lyra saw her bosses off.

When she turned around, only Zeke was there. He pointed towards a small store. "Lucien went to get water."

Lyra nodded.

Zeke was a talkative guy and immediately struck up a conversation. "I'm not really here to hike. The main reason is to do the final tests for the new Vance Deep Space Pavilion. Your boyfriend has been working on this project for five years. It opens tomorrow. You'll be there, right?"

Lyra remembered seeing Lucien looking at the observatory's website before, but she hadn't thought much of it. "He didn't mention it to me. Besides, I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon that I can't miss."

Zeke was stunned. He immediately pulled a ticket out of his bag. "Oh, he probably just forgot. You're his girlfriend, how can you not come?"

Lyra took the ticket, her expression unreadable.

When Lucien returned, he handed her a bottle of water and asked casually, "What was Zeke saying to you?"

Lyra instinctively shook her head. "Nothing."

The next morning, Lyra sat on the sofa, watching Lucien bustle around from the moment he woke up.

He pulled out the custom-tailored suit he only wore for award ceremonies and meticulously groomed himself, as if he were going to a wedding.

"I have something on today. I might be back late."

It was only as he was about to leave that he remembered to say something to her.

It was obvious he had no intention of inviting her to the opening ceremony.

A slight pang of bitterness hit Lyra’s heart, but she just said calmly, "Okay. I hope the opening goes smoothly."

Lucien froze for a second. "How did you know…"

But before he could finish, his phone rang.

He glanced at it, and the question was instantly forgotten. His voice became warm and considerate as he answered. "You're there already? So early. I was just about to leave to pick you up…"

Sylvie’s cool voice was muffled on the other end.

The front door closed, cutting off the last of the sound.

Lyra took the ticket out of her bag and stared at it for a long time.

Finally, she called her assistant. "Postpone my afternoon meeting. I have to go somewhere."

At 2 PM, Lyra walked into the planetarium.

It had been five years since her last visit.

The last time she was here, it was because Lucien was going to confess his feelings for Sylvie in the old observatory.

Back then, Lyra stood in the crowd of onlookers. No one knew she was the one who had personally set up the entire scene for his grand confession.

And today?

Would this grand opening ceremony have its own leading lady?

The ceremony had already started. Lyra found a spot to stand.

The lights came on, and Lucien walked onto the stage.

He was tall and imposing, carrying himself with an air of authority that had female audience members whispering among themselves.

Lucien took the microphone from the host and began to speak eloquently. "This Deep Space Pavilion is a collaborative project between the city and our deep space exploration lab, designed to popularize science."

"I have spent five years completing this project."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Sylvie in the audience, his voice taking on a magnetic, gentle quality. "I once promised someone that we would explore the mysteries of the universe together. We missed five years, and this pavilion is my gift of reunion for her."

"Sylvie Sterling, thank you for being here today."

A wave of applause swept through the audience. Everyone was moved.

Only Lyra stood frozen in the cheering crowd, foolishly watching as Lucien led Sylvie onto the stage, the two of them embracing under the spotlight.

She couldn't watch anymore. As she turned to leave, she came face to face with Zeke, whose expression was a mask of awkwardness.

Zeke glanced at the couple still hugging on stage, then back at Lyra. He opened his mouth to say something, but Lyra had already walked past him and left, as if she had never been there at all.

She walked out of the planetarium and went back to the firm.

If she had known, she would have just attended the meeting.

After work, Lyra drove home.

Just as she parked, she saw them again under the dim yellow streetlights of her complex: Lucien and Sylvie, walking together like a couple.

Right. Lyra remembered now.

Lucien had helped Sylvie find a new apartment when she returned. It was in the building right next to theirs.

Lyra walked closer, close enough to hear their conversation.

Sylvie’s voice was shy. "Thank you for the gift. I love it."

And Lucien’s voice was as gentle as a night breeze. "I'm glad you like it."

They walked slowly to the entrance of her building. As they said goodbye, Lucien watched her, waiting for her to go upstairs.

But Sylvie didn't move. She bit her lip and said, "It's so late, and you had to walk me home. I feel so bad."

"If Lyra finds out, she'll probably throw a fit, won't she?"

Lucien’s brow furrowed slightly.

Just as Sylvie was secretly gloating, Lyra’s cool voice came from behind them.

"I don't mind."