In the seventh year of my relationship with Ralph Green, he still didn't propose to me. So, I secretly reserved a ring and bought my favorite wedding dress.After being with him for so many years, my biggest wish was to marry him. I decorated a room with my friends, planning to give him a surprise.But just as I was about to tell him, I overheard his phone conversation with a friend."I've gotten bored of Mabel for a long time now," Ralph said with unmistakable disdain."I suppose anything that stays the same for seven years becomes boring."His friend, who was on speakerphone, mocked me as well, saying, "It's understandable. She hasn't changed things up all these years."Still, with that face and that body… Shouldn't you let us have a go at her first?"Ralph took a drag on his cigarette and replied indifferently, "Sure, why not? Why even ask me?"I didn't walk into the room, and he didn't call me afterward. I finally decided to break up with him that night.Not long after, ru
Before boarding the plane, I told Florence everything. When she heard about my situation, she waved it off and organized a party for me.She invited all our old friends, saying it was to welcome me and chase away the bad luck. We were in high spirits, enjoying ourselves, when suddenly the door swung open.A sharp scream echoed through the room."Woah, it's Ambrose Steele!""Oh my god, it really is Ambrose!""Quick, pinch me—am I dreaming?"Ambrose chuckled and said, "I was just next door for a business meeting. Heard you were having a party, so I thought I'd drop by and join the fun."His face held a gentle and refined smile, but his gaze landed in a corner of the room. Coincidentally, Florence and I were sitting in that exact corner.Our eyes met briefly, and I quickly looked down, feeling somewhat flustered.Florence leaned in close to my ear, and she whispered in a teasing tone, "Mabes, do you think he's here because of you?"I must have been a little drunk because, for
"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
I was completely exhausted from his relentless passion. My body was soft and weak, yet he didn't seem finished. Even my nails left red marks down his back."Ambrose...""Mabes, did it feel good this time?" he asked.His question instantly made my face flush with embarrassment, but it was clear he wouldn't let me go until I answered.In the end, I finally gave in, and replied through tears, "Y-Yes, it felt good..."…Time flew by, and Ayla's birthday arrived.She was the only person in Swelgan who had shown me genuine care. So, I bought her the best gift I could find and sent it to her.That evening, Ralph noticed the gift in Ayla's hands, and his expression turned stormy."Give it to me," he demanded.Startled by his sudden outburst, Ayla froze for a moment before quickly handing him the gift. Ralph stared at the couple's watches inside the box, lost in thought for a long while."Get rid of this eyesore," he finally muttered coldly.Just as everyone sighed in relief, Ralph
"I'm telling you people to talk!" Ralph roared.Miles Gardner, who had been silently sitting in the corner of the private room, finally spoke."I've wanted to tell you this for a long time, but Ralph—you go too far every time. Mabel is a woman. You always took advantage of her love for you and hurt her recklessly."Even if you got tired of her, you could've just been honest. Why did you have to do things that cut so deep?""Shut up! Even if I don't like her anymore, she still has to stay by my side!" Ralph snapped.His smile looked bitter and twisted, and tears were streaming from the corners of his eyes and into his mouth. "She's been with me for seven years. Even a stone would grow a heart by now."Miles stepped closer to him. His smile was filled with helplessness as he continued, "Ralph, she's wasted enough time on you already. What will you do if Mabel really doesn't come back?""Impossible!" Ralph's voice trembled, though no one seemed to notice."Ralph, stop doing things
Since that night, it was as if Ambrose had vanished from my world. I didn't look for him, nor did I leave Suttonville.What I didn't know was that Ambrose hadn't gone far. He had booked a room in the hotel across from mine. He stared out the window at the lights, lost in thought.He didn't need much time to calm down. Just knowing that I was in the hotel across the street—close enough to see me if he wanted—eased the ache in his heart.The sadness quickly faded, replaced by a tender concern for me.It was only natural that I wouldn't want to jump into a new relationship right after a breakup. He had always known, from the time I was with Ralph, that his feelings for me were something he would have to bury.That was why he had tried going on blind dates. But none of them worked out. No matter how anxious his family became, he eventually stopped trying altogether.If it hadn't been for me coming to Suttonville, if he hadn't skipped that business meeting that night, or if I hadn't i
Would Ambrose really react the way Florence said he would?I never expected that a man nearing 30 would light up like a child when he answered my call.Florence watched me with a knowing smile. "Mabes, hearing how happy he is—doesn't that make you happy too?"This time, I didn't hesitate. I nodded and replied, "Yes, it makes me happy!""See? You're happy, he's happy—that's all that matters. Why make it so complicated?"Florence suddenly burst out laughing, as if she'd thought of something amusing. "Ha! I can't help but laugh when I think about Ralph regretting everything."It was only then that I realized Ralph's name barely stirred anything in me anymore. "Flo, let's not talk about him again, okay?"Just as Florence and I reached the hotel entrance, I spotted a familiar figure across the street. Florence, being quick-witted, made herself scarce.Standing not far away was Ambrose, who was dressed casually. His gaze was entirely fixed on me. His striking features seemed to draw
Without me by his side, Ralph probably felt like something was missing. No one was there to care for him when his stomach hurt. No one fussed over him when he got injured.He might've been surrounded by beautiful women, but I knew his mind was full of my image.Ralph must've thought that when I returned this time, he would give me a title, something to keep me tied to him forever.He was likely planning to propose, believing that I would stay with him by doing so, never leaving his side again.But his thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his phone. Seeing Ayla's name on the screen, he probably felt an odd tension."Ralph, you need to stay calm," Ayla likely started nervously."What's wrong? Did something happen to Mabel?""N-No, it's not that!" Ayla stammered."Then speak!""Mabes… She's with Ambrose Steele now," Ayla finally admitted, though it must've been difficult for her to say.Everyone in their circle knew that back when Ralph was pursuing me, he had fought Ambr
Ralph's voice roared like an enraged lion, but Ambrose wasn't intimidated in the slightest. He deliberately leaned down and kissed my sleeping face with an exaggerated smirk."She just fell asleep. I'm afraid she can't take your call right now," he said.Ambrose glanced at me in his arms, noticing my restless sleep. His expression softened."Looks like I went a little too far earlier. I'll have to make it up to her when she wakes up," he thought."She's exhausted. Do you really want me to wake her with a kiss just so she can answer your call?""Ambrose Steele!" Ralph roared angrily on the other end of the line.Ambrose simply ended the call.I had imagined many scenarios of seeing Ralph again, but none as awkward as this. While attending a gathering with Ambrose, I suddenly saw someone I wished I wouldn't have to face.It was Ralph.Yet, seeing him again brought no joy, only a feeling of unfamiliarity. He looked worn out, and for once, he wasn't surrounded by his usual crowd o
Without me by his side, Ralph probably felt like something was missing. No one was there to care for him when his stomach hurt. No one fussed over him when he got injured.He might've been surrounded by beautiful women, but I knew his mind was full of my image.Ralph must've thought that when I returned this time, he would give me a title, something to keep me tied to him forever.He was likely planning to propose, believing that I would stay with him by doing so, never leaving his side again.But his thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his phone. Seeing Ayla's name on the screen, he probably felt an odd tension."Ralph, you need to stay calm," Ayla likely started nervously."What's wrong? Did something happen to Mabel?""N-No, it's not that!" Ayla stammered."Then speak!""Mabes… She's with Ambrose Steele now," Ayla finally admitted, though it must've been difficult for her to say.Everyone in their circle knew that back when Ralph was pursuing me, he had fought Ambr
Would Ambrose really react the way Florence said he would?I never expected that a man nearing 30 would light up like a child when he answered my call.Florence watched me with a knowing smile. "Mabes, hearing how happy he is—doesn't that make you happy too?"This time, I didn't hesitate. I nodded and replied, "Yes, it makes me happy!""See? You're happy, he's happy—that's all that matters. Why make it so complicated?"Florence suddenly burst out laughing, as if she'd thought of something amusing. "Ha! I can't help but laugh when I think about Ralph regretting everything."It was only then that I realized Ralph's name barely stirred anything in me anymore. "Flo, let's not talk about him again, okay?"Just as Florence and I reached the hotel entrance, I spotted a familiar figure across the street. Florence, being quick-witted, made herself scarce.Standing not far away was Ambrose, who was dressed casually. His gaze was entirely fixed on me. His striking features seemed to draw
Since that night, it was as if Ambrose had vanished from my world. I didn't look for him, nor did I leave Suttonville.What I didn't know was that Ambrose hadn't gone far. He had booked a room in the hotel across from mine. He stared out the window at the lights, lost in thought.He didn't need much time to calm down. Just knowing that I was in the hotel across the street—close enough to see me if he wanted—eased the ache in his heart.The sadness quickly faded, replaced by a tender concern for me.It was only natural that I wouldn't want to jump into a new relationship right after a breakup. He had always known, from the time I was with Ralph, that his feelings for me were something he would have to bury.That was why he had tried going on blind dates. But none of them worked out. No matter how anxious his family became, he eventually stopped trying altogether.If it hadn't been for me coming to Suttonville, if he hadn't skipped that business meeting that night, or if I hadn't i
"I'm telling you people to talk!" Ralph roared.Miles Gardner, who had been silently sitting in the corner of the private room, finally spoke."I've wanted to tell you this for a long time, but Ralph—you go too far every time. Mabel is a woman. You always took advantage of her love for you and hurt her recklessly."Even if you got tired of her, you could've just been honest. Why did you have to do things that cut so deep?""Shut up! Even if I don't like her anymore, she still has to stay by my side!" Ralph snapped.His smile looked bitter and twisted, and tears were streaming from the corners of his eyes and into his mouth. "She's been with me for seven years. Even a stone would grow a heart by now."Miles stepped closer to him. His smile was filled with helplessness as he continued, "Ralph, she's wasted enough time on you already. What will you do if Mabel really doesn't come back?""Impossible!" Ralph's voice trembled, though no one seemed to notice."Ralph, stop doing things
I was completely exhausted from his relentless passion. My body was soft and weak, yet he didn't seem finished. Even my nails left red marks down his back."Ambrose...""Mabes, did it feel good this time?" he asked.His question instantly made my face flush with embarrassment, but it was clear he wouldn't let me go until I answered.In the end, I finally gave in, and replied through tears, "Y-Yes, it felt good..."…Time flew by, and Ayla's birthday arrived.She was the only person in Swelgan who had shown me genuine care. So, I bought her the best gift I could find and sent it to her.That evening, Ralph noticed the gift in Ayla's hands, and his expression turned stormy."Give it to me," he demanded.Startled by his sudden outburst, Ayla froze for a moment before quickly handing him the gift. Ralph stared at the couple's watches inside the box, lost in thought for a long while."Get rid of this eyesore," he finally muttered coldly.Just as everyone sighed in relief, Ralph
"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
Before boarding the plane, I told Florence everything. When she heard about my situation, she waved it off and organized a party for me.She invited all our old friends, saying it was to welcome me and chase away the bad luck. We were in high spirits, enjoying ourselves, when suddenly the door swung open.A sharp scream echoed through the room."Woah, it's Ambrose Steele!""Oh my god, it really is Ambrose!""Quick, pinch me—am I dreaming?"Ambrose chuckled and said, "I was just next door for a business meeting. Heard you were having a party, so I thought I'd drop by and join the fun."His face held a gentle and refined smile, but his gaze landed in a corner of the room. Coincidentally, Florence and I were sitting in that exact corner.Our eyes met briefly, and I quickly looked down, feeling somewhat flustered.Florence leaned in close to my ear, and she whispered in a teasing tone, "Mabes, do you think he's here because of you?"I must have been a little drunk because, for
In the seventh year of my relationship with Ralph Green, he still didn't propose to me. So, I secretly reserved a ring and bought my favorite wedding dress.After being with him for so many years, my biggest wish was to marry him. I decorated a room with my friends, planning to give him a surprise.But just as I was about to tell him, I overheard his phone conversation with a friend."I've gotten bored of Mabel for a long time now," Ralph said with unmistakable disdain."I suppose anything that stays the same for seven years becomes boring."His friend, who was on speakerphone, mocked me as well, saying, "It's understandable. She hasn't changed things up all these years."Still, with that face and that body… Shouldn't you let us have a go at her first?"Ralph took a drag on his cigarette and replied indifferently, "Sure, why not? Why even ask me?"I didn't walk into the room, and he didn't call me afterward. I finally decided to break up with him that night.Not long after, ru