Saying Goodbye to My Troubles (Nydia and Mick)

hapter 38

lona happily accepted the gift and turned to Mick with teary eyes. "Mick, did you arrange all [ this? You're so thoughtful."

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lick didn't know how to respond. He couldn't remember Nydia's birthday and had never lebrated it for her. How could he possibly remember anyone else's?

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hankfully, Nydia had never seemed to care, so he'd never put much effort into it.

1st as he was about to deny it, Gia suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!"

he'd just knocked over a photo album that now lay open on the floor. She quickly picked it up ad flipped through it. "I'm sorry, Ms. Poole. I just wanted to give you a surprise.

I know how much you treasure these pictures, so I replaced the old album with a new one and ad them all framed nicely. I..."

he lay the album open in front of Mick and displayed photos of school days, including ictures he'd taken with Mona.

here were pictures taken on the campus paths, images of them performing together onstage, nd playful scruffles in class...

hose pictures were indeed memories of youth, but Mick remembered Nydia had once told im she was a small-town girl. She had a goal during her school years to leave the mountains nd achieve enough success to inspire other girls to dream bigger. le wondered if she had any pictures from her school days. What would she look like back then?

These are such beautiful memories, Mick." Mona's eyes brimmed with unspoken emotions...

was only now Mick realized Gia and the others had silently left the room. They were now the nly ones left in the spacious hotel suite.

We were so happy back then. I wanted to tell you that back then, I..."

lick snapped back to reality. He couldn't believe he'd been so lost in thought, and it'd been atirely about Nydia.

rustration surged within him once more. He hadn't even registered most of what Mona had

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ist as Mona feigned twisting her ankle and fell against him, he caught her wrist firmly and inned her down on the bed. "Get some rest. Tell Gia to take care of you." With that, he turned to leave.

lona's eyes widened in disbelief. The hotel suite was meticulously decorated with hints of eduction, and she'd selected the perfect outfit for the night. Chapter 38

Plus, she'd used "her birthday" and youthful memories to set the perfect mood, thinking she could win him over tonight.

However, Mick managed to walk away without hesitation. He didn't turn back once even when she called out his name repeatedly.

In a fit of rage, she began smashing everything she could lay her hands on. "Nydia! It must be because of Nydia and the stupid meal she sent!'

Seething, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number. "Practical contest? Is she competing in that too? Perfect. Leak the news that I'll be joining too!

"I was a renowned doctor before I debuted, and I want to meet her in the finals!

"I don't care what it takes. Stir up the buzz. I want her reputation completely destroyed!"

A doctor ridiculed and shamed by the public would not just lose her job, but she'd also lose favor with the Wilcher family.

Chapter 9