I was wearing high heels, which caused me to twist my ankle when I fell, sending sharp pain through my leg. My shoulder scraped against a tree by the roadside, peeling off a large patch of skin. Blood began to ooze out.I sat on the curb, penniless and crying uncontrollably. The physical pain was unbearable, but the pain in my heart was even worse.I couldn't understand why Chris chose to leave despite the fact that the long drive would take hours and the rain would likely subside before his arrival.Seemingly oblivious to this reality, Chris failed to recognize that any classmate passing by could have easily assisted Faye with an umbrella or a ride. Nonetheless, he insisted on traversing the city and driving for hours to aid her.I couldn't help but feel hurt by his constant tendency to prioritize Faye over me. I was his girlfriend, yet he disregarded his promise to spend my birthday with me.It made me wonder when Chris would ever prioritize me. Like any other girl, I yearned fo
My mind wandered back to our first encounter during our freshman year. Chris wore a simple white shirt, its hem tucked neatly into his trousers. His short hair shone in the sunlight, and his youthful gaze held a captivating innocence.I had been instantly enamored, irresistibly drawn to him. When he asked me to be his girlfriend, I boldly declared, "Chris, no matter what the future holds, even if the sky falls or the world turns upside down, I'll always love you."Back then, I naively believed that my love alone would be enough. I thought that my devotion would eventually touch his heart and make him love me in return.However, I didn't know then that love itself was a consumable resource. If one didn't nurture it and let it grow, it would inevitably dwindle and fade away.No matter how deep the love was, it could never escape this fate.I gave a faint smile. "Well, Chris, I once thought I could warm your heart. But I overestimated myself and underestimated how cold your heart cou
Chris sat there in silence. Perhaps he had never considered this question. Or, more likely, he never thought it was an issue at all.I continued, "Or perhaps you enjoy having me as a convenient stand-in for the one you truly love. I was there to provide comfort in your moments of loneliness and despair. And when the real deal came back, you could just coldly cast me aside."Chris buried his face in his hands, his shoulders trembling as if his entire world had crumbled around him.Once upon a time, the mere sight of his pain would've been unbearable to me. But now, as his suffering lay bare before me, my heart remained untouched. It was then that I realized how stark the line between love and indifference could be."Stop saying you love me. It sounds painfully ironic. Your love is something I no longer need or desire. Have you seen my new home? It's small and modest, and with my meager salary, it'll take years to afford a house of my own. "Despite this, I find solace in the know
The next day, I officially reported to the police station and started my new life serving the people from dawn till dusk.Three days later, I began to understand what Chris meant by not giving up.Every evening, he would wait for me at the entrance of the police station, his eyes lighting up with a peculiar gleam as soon as he saw me—like a dog seeing a bone.I refused to speak to him and wouldn't even spare him a glance as I walked past. I remained steadfast in my resolve, treating him as a complete stranger.Despite my cold treatment, Chris was undeterred in his mission to pick me up from work every day. He would bring a bouquet of flowers every other day, usually red roses, but occasionally sunflowers or baby's breath.I would pass by him without a glance, and he would shove the flowers into my arms like a nervous teenager before running off.Chris even hand-washed all the clothes I had left at our old place and gave me a few pieces every day, asking me to take them home.He
It was the fall of my senior year in high school, and the weather had gotten chilly.Felix White's uncles, Duncan White and Eugene White, had brought their families over for a visit, and my family joined them. His family members and mine added up to about 20 people, and we were all gathered at his house for a meal.With the help of alcohol, the atmosphere that night had become rather lively.Since there were so many people present that day, the men were all seated at one table for drinks while the women were seated together to chat.Everyone was chatting excitedly, and it was an extremely joyous day.Somehow, the conversation had shifted to talk about me and Felix. This happened every single time our families gathered together. It was quite awkward at first, but it happened so often that I had gotten used to it. It didn't faze me anymore.They could say whatever they liked. It wasn't as if I could do anything about it.Melinda Priceton was Felix's mother, and I called her Aunt
My mother was a broad-minded and decisive person who took a direct approach to life.Meanwhile, Duncan had been sitting at the other table and was clearly quite drunk. He laughed out loud before he said in his booming voice, "That's right. Our kids have all grown up now. You are … Harper, right? When your daughter and Melinda's son get married, don't forget to invite us to the wedding as well!""Of course! You're Felix's uncle! You would certainly be invited!" Mom replied cheerfully.Just like that, the conversation quickly switched from what college we were attending to the ways everyone would be chipping in for our wedding. If I didn't know better, I'd have assumed I was getting married tomorrow!Everyone was now engaged in an enthusiastic discussion about the wedding. Even one of Felix's young relatives, a mere child, was excitedly declaring that he wanted to be the flower boy.I lost interest in this conversation quite quickly.I had heard it countless times before, so there
Felix wasn't done yet."Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? Luna's her own person, and I'm my own person too. We lead separate lives, so do you guys keep pairing us up?"I will never attend the same college as her, so you all can just forget it!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment.The house remained completely silent. The little boy who wanted to be the flower boy at my future wedding wailed as he buried his face in his mother's neck. "Mom, Felix is angry!"His mother carried him out to the balcony to console him.Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. How I wished I would just pass out then and there. That would be better than enduring the pitiful looks everyone was shooting me.18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation.He h
Mom shot Dad a look, and Dad pulled out his phone to call for an ambulance.When Felix saw Dad calling for an ambulance, he pushed Aunt Mel away aggressively and forced himself onto his feet to snatch Dad's phone away.Aunt Mel lost her footing and stumbled backward before falling onto the floor. Wincing in pain, she could not seem to get back up.Felix had also used too much strength to push himself to his feet. He lost his balance and banged against the dining table. There was a resounding crash as the table crashed and all the plates fell off.The delicious meal that Aunt Mel and Mom put in a lot of effort to prepare was now ruined. The dining room was in chaos, mirroring the emotions swirling in my heart. Uncle Austin froze, as did everyone else.No one could've expected a happy family dinner to end like this.Felix, now covered in food, got back up on his feet. His right hand was clenched into a fist, and there was fresh blood dripping from his fingers. He had cut himsel