It Doesn’t Matter Anymore novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

There were only four chairs at the table; with my arrival, our group became five. Lorelai’s face fell when she saw me. “Oh, Roselyn, I thought you weren’t coming.”

I smiled. “I wasn’t planning to, but James insisted.”

A girl sitting nearby rolled her eyes and grumbled under her breath, “Ugh… old lady, what’s there to brag about?”

I looked at her, shaking my head with a touch of resignation. “Old lady? I’m twenty–eight with my own house, my car, financially independent, and a professional geological exploration expert. What will you have at twenty–eight? Or will you even make it that far?”

She was so flustered she couldn’t find words to reply.

Just then, James came in. Seeing me standing at the door, he quickly urged, “What are you standing there for? Come in

and sit down!”

Lorelai hurriedly approached, putting on a pitiful expression. “Roselyn, don’t be mad. Let me get you another chair.”

James immediately assumed I was causing trouble, stepping in front of Lorelai with a stern face. “Roselyn, don’t be difficult. Look at how humble Lorelai’s being already. What more do you want?”

I chuckled and said, “I didn’t come here to eat. I came to tell her something.”

I looked past James, directly addressing Lorelai behind him. “Thanks for taking James off my hands–I appreciate you recycling hazardous waste.”

James’s face turned a shade darker. “Roselyn, what nonsense are you talking now?”

I locked eyes with him, enunciating clearly, “James, today is our anniversary. I wanted a proper end, but I’ve decided that once this project is over, we’re done.”

“What project?” James seemed confused, as if he hadn’t received the memo, but then his phone rang.

He was originally a travel blogger, known for his photography. With my recommendation, he became the contracted photographer for our company. After some back and forth on the call, his tone softened.

“Roselyn, it’s all just little disagreements. Don’t hold it against them. They’re just kids.”

At the table, Lorelai’s demeanor shifted, her gaze flitting between James and me.

“James, I’d love to go to the Alps with you. I’m super interested in geology and I promise I won’t be a bother.”

James immediately agreed, his eyes full of indulgence. “Of course you can. With you there, it’ll definitely be more fun!”

I remained silent across from them. He didn’t even consult me, making decisions on his own.

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow on the path up the Alps. With my geological

hammer in hand, I felt a sense of reverence for the land.

James seemed more concerned about whether his videos would go viral.

I warned him, “Today’s task is to survey the eastern slopes, so don’t wander off.”

He grunted in acknowledgment, his camera already aimed at the distant peaks.

Lorelai wore flashy outdoor gear, animatedly commenting, “James, I heard there are lots of rare plants here. Let’s find them together!”

I frowned, but before I could speak, James agreed.

“Sure thing.”

Due to a delay with the other team members, the three of us started up the mountain ahead. I focused on my work, while James and Lorelai frolicked around.

Lorelai buzzed around like a fly, her nonstop chatter echoing through the dense forest. I tried to stop her multiple

times to no avail.

14:28

He Chose Her First–So I Chos…

13.0%

Chapter 25

She plucked a purple bloom, asking, “James, is this the region’s unique rhododendron?”

James immediately started snapping photos. “That’s right, as beautiful as you.”

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