Once they reached the second floor, Jenna Quinn said nothing, simply browsing casually through the clothing store. Autumn Shelby, however, kept trying to make small talk, occasionally holding a piece of clothing up to her and insisting she try it on.

Jenna Quinn glanced down at the garment Autumn was holding against her, smiled, then took it and put it back on the rack before turning to look at something else.

Autumn Shelby glanced at the piece of clothing, then at Jenna Quinn’s retreating back. She pursed her lips without a word and followed.

A moment later, she broke the silence again, her tone tinged with sadness. "Jenna, come to think of it, we haven’t seen each other in five or six years. It wasn’t so bad when I was with Seth Quinn. There were photos of you at the house, so I could at least see your picture when I went over.

"But this past year since I left, I couldn’t see you in person or even see your photos. It made me think of you all the time—about our childhood, about all the wonderful, happy days we spent together.

"I often find myself thinking, what if we’d never grown up? What if you hadn’t left, and I hadn’t gotten sick? We’d still be so happy, without a care in the world. You, me, Seth, and little Miles... we’d still be playing together every day, carefree. How wonderful that would be."

Jenna Quinn, who was reaching for an item of clothing, paused. She turned to face her, a faint, breezy smile on her face as she replied, "How can people not grow up? Whether people come together or part ways is perhaps just a matter of fate... It’s all in the past."

Autumn, of course, understood what she meant: since it was all in the past, there was no need to bring it up again. Her expression stiffened for a moment before quickly returning to normal. She nodded. "You’re right, Jenna. Have you been doing well in the U.S.A. these past few years?"

"Very well," Jenna Quinn said. She turned, walked out of the shop, and headed for the escalator to the third floor. ’I think they sell children’s clothes on the third floor,’ she thought. ’I’ll go pick out a few things for Cherie.’

Once on the escalator, Jenna Quinn glanced back at Autumn Shelby, who was following behind her, and asked suddenly, "By the way, Autumn, didn’t you go to the U.S.A. a year ago, too? How come you never looked me up?"

Autumn Shelby was taken aback by the sudden question. She hesitated before answering, "...Oh, I... I wasn’t in a good state of mind back then. After I got to the U.S.A., I just stayed home all day. I was afraid that if I saw you with my awful temper, I’d just bring you down, so I didn’t dare to reach out."

"Is that so?" Jenna Quinn smiled noncommittally.

’Actually, there were a lot of holes in Autumn’s story. Didn’t she go to the U.S.A. to clear her head? So why would she stay cooped up at home all day?’

’She claimed she didn’t want to see me because she was afraid her bad mood would affect me, but Autumn knows my personality. She should know I’m not so easily influenced by others, right?’

’Still, it’s all in the past. If she doesn’t want to talk about something, I’m not going to press her.’

’The only reason I agreed to meet her this time was out of respect for our old friendship. From now on, it’d be better if we didn’t see each other again.’

’After all, Seth is with Clara Grant now. If I get too close to Autumn Shelby again and we happen to run into Clara, it’s bound to be awkward.’

’As long as Autumn Shelby isn’t trying to get back together with Seth or interfere in his relationship with Clara, I don’t want to pry into her business.’

Autumn Shelby watched her back, expecting her to ask something, but even after they reached the third floor, Jenna remained silent.

As they stepped off the escalator, Autumn Shelby finally couldn’t hold back any longer. Her lips parted. "Jenna, let’s find a place to sit and talk. There’s something I need to tell you."