Chapter 3

"Mabes, when are you coming back?" The text on my phone was from Ayla Jenner, a friend of mine from Swelgan.

Staring at the screen, I realized that, in truth, I hadn't thought about going back for the past three days.

"I'm not coming back for now," I replied.

Almost immediately, another message arrived. "My birthday is in ten days. I'll wait for you to come back."

"Don't wait for me. I'm not coming back," I answered firmly.

On the other side of things, Ayla glanced cautiously at Ralph. "Ralph, why don't you call Mabes? Maybe she'll come back if you do."

Ralph's expression was dark as he took a sharp drag from his cigarette. "Whether she comes back or not has nothing to do with me. Let her die out there for all I care."

"Ralph, Mabes must still be hurting," Ayla said hesitantly.

"She burned her wedding dress and left the ring behind. This time, it seems like she's really heartbroken…"

"We broke up. She can do whatever she wants." Ralph snapped.

With a loud bang, he kicked over the coffee table and glared at the others as his anger boiled over. "Shut up, all of you! No one is allowed to look for her. Even if she dies out there, it's none of my business!"

After that, Ralph drowned himself in drink, glass after glass, ignoring everyone's attempts to stop him. Finally, someone couldn't stand it anymore and snatched the glass from his hand.

"Enough! You just had your stomach pumped yesterday! Do you have to treat your life like it's worthless?

"She's only been gone a few days, and you're already destroying yourself. Why don't you just call Mabes and fix this?"

Ralph's expression darkened even further.

Under the silent stares of everyone present, he grabbed a bottle, chugged it down, and smashed it on the table before storming out.

The cool night wind did nothing to calm Ralph's blazing fury.

"Mabel, you've got guts. You're really playing for keeps this time, huh?" he muttered to himself.

The next moment, he stared at his phone which was devoid of any calls or messages from me. His temper flared, and he blocked her number in one swift motion.

"Mabel, you'd better not come back! This time, I won't relent even if you come crawling back!"

…

Ambrose found me at my studio.

Back in college, I had opened my own fashion design studio and had enjoyed some modest success.

But I gave up my dreams for Ralph and followed him to Swelgan.

Now, with a decent amount of savings in hand, I discussed things with Ambrose and decided to reopen my studio.

"Mabes, what do you feel like eating for lunch?" Ambrose's gentle voice drifted into my ears.

It was as if he had some kind of magic—his presence instantly calmed my restless mood.

"I'm about to lose my mind sketching these drafts. You decide."

Tossing my pencil onto the table, I tidied up a bit, then grabbed his arm as we left the studio.

I assumed he'd take me to a fancy restaurant. After all, Ambrose didn't strike me as the kind of person who would eat at a roadside stall.

This food stall had been my favorite place to visit when I was still in school. The storefront was old, but it was always bustling with customers.

The only thing that seemed out of place was Ambrose in his tailored suit, sitting among the worn-down chairs and tables.

He didn't seem to notice my surprise, nor did he mind the dated furniture. He sat down naturally, as though he'd been coming here all his life. I was about to take a seat myself when he stopped me.

"Wait a moment."

I looked at him, confused, thinking perhaps he had changed his mind about the place. But then I saw him take a napkin and carefully wipe down my chair.

"You're a lady. You should always look your best," he said.

At that moment, I couldn't help but recall what he told me the other night, and I started to doubt it. "Do you really not have an ex-girlfriend?"

It wasn't that I didn't believe him—it was just hard to imagine someone as exceptional as him not having admirers.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, his hand paused mid-pour as he looked directly at me.

That was when our eyes met.

His gaze was so sincere that I suddenly felt flustered. I quickly picked up the water he had just poured and brought it to my lips.

He was so thoughtful and gentle. It was hard not to feel moved. But his kindness also stirred a deep sadness within me.

When I first started dating Ralph, he had been just as considerate. Nonetheless, that tenderness disappeared over time.

In its place, I found myself constantly trying to please him, terrified of making a mistake and angering him.

He often commented on how I had no friends and no work to keep me busy, and that my life revolved around him. Yet, I learned to cook because of his sensitive stomach and took care of him like a hired nanny.

Looking back now, I finally understood why his friends looked down on me. I had loved Ralph so much that I'd lost myself. I'd do whatever he told me to do without any complaints.

How could anyone love a woman who didn't even love herself?

The food stall was located on a lively street filled with snacks, near a university. The street was crowded with couples coming and going.

I used to dream of Ralph taking me to a place like this, but he always dismissed it as dirty.

"Your food's here!" The server's cheerful call interrupted my thoughts.

Ambrose remained quiet, only speaking once the server finished setting down the dishes.

He suddenly looked at me seriously and said, "Mabel, whether you believe me or not, you really are my first."

"But back in school, there were so many girls around you. And wasn't there one girl who was always by your side? Wasn't she your girlfriend?"

"Are you talking about Chelsea Summers?" He glanced at me with a small smile and continued placing food onto my plate.

"She's my neighbor. We grew up together, that's all."

"So, all these years, you never met anyone you liked?"

This time, Ambrose didn't avoid my question. Instead, he earnestly shared his past. "I went on a blind date once, but our personalities didn't match."

The meal was awkward, to say the least. On the way back to the hotel, I thought about his words earlier and decided to believe him.

As soon as I opened the door, he didn't leave. Instead, he leaned in close, and his warm breath brushed against my ear.

"Mabes, it won't be the same this time."

Before I could fully understand what he meant, his overwhelming kisses had begun to consume me.