We lived in a standard two-bedroom apartment with a shared bathroom. In order to get back into the bedroom from the bathroom, I had to pass through the living room.As I walked through the living room, I saw Chris leaning against the balcony, smoking.He bent one of his legs, his back against the wall. The half-smoked cigarette was between his lips as he looked at the starry sky. My succulents were right next to him. I just watched him silently.I wanted to check on my succulents since I hadn't seen them for over ten days. I was eager to know if they were doing well.Without me, Chris still had Faye, but my succulents had to tough it out on their own. Even though Chris might have taken care of them, it wasn't the same. I couldn't imagine what had happened to them after having someone who never cared about such things look after them.I stopped walking subconsciously, letting my thoughts become a chaotic mess.I debated whether I should go back to the bedroom or walk over to him
I was bending over to put on my shoes when the door opened from the outside.Chris entered, carrying a large bouquet of lilies in his left hand and several shopping bags in his right.It had been five years, but this was the first time he woke up earlier than me, the first time he bought me flowers, and the first time he carried shopping bags.When I loved him deeply, he had never done anything for me. Even a simple goodbye kiss would make him impatient. Now that I no longer loved or wanted him, he was suddenly willing to do everything.People truly are strange.Noticing the suitcase behind me, his expression changed instantly, turning to shock and confusion, mostly anger."Zara, what are you doing?"I shrugged and pointed to the suitcase. "Isn't it obvious? These are the last of my things. I'm taking them today and won't be coming back anymore. From now on, no matter where you go or who you're with, I don't care anymore. You're free."And I've paid the rent for this quarter. I
I wanted to refuse but couldn't let go of the suitcase in my hand in time. Before I knew it, he had pushed the suitcase back into my bedroom.He was a bit forceful, causing me to stumble and almost fall. My hand instinctively grabbed onto the nearest thing to steady myself.After falling onto the ground, I realized I had grabbed a small shopping bag with me. Because of the force of my fall, the bag tore and revealed a light pink dress that stung my eyes as if mocking me.My left hand, which had hit the ground hard, was throbbing in pain.Anger flared up suddenly. I kicked the dress away, got up quickly, and slapped him across the face. The crisp sound of the slap startled both of us.Back in high school, I never imagined there would come a day when I would slap the man I adored. Fate indeed played a cruel trick on people. Nobody belonged to anyone forever.A clear handprint appeared on Chris' cheek, and his eyes were filled with a mixture of confusion and embarrassment.I calmed
"Chris, you may not love me, but I must love myself. I've worked hard in my studies and my job. I've taken good care of myself. I'm not here to be mistreated by you. In the past, I was stupid, thinking I could move you. But I don't think that way anymore, and I won't continue to do so," I said."No, Zara. You're my girlfriend. I've never thought of you as anything else. I went with Faye only because her parents weren't around, and we grew up together. I couldn't just abandon her." Chris' voice grew quieter as he spoke. Perhaps realizing how absurd his words sounded, he gradually fell silent."Oh, you couldn't abandon her, but you could abandon me. Why is that? Because you don't love me. I understand it now. Since I can't move you, let's just end it here."After we break up, you'll have your freedom, and I'll find someone who loves me. The world is big, and there are many people out there. I'm sure there's someone out there who belongs to me and loves me only."I smiled slightly, my
"Chris, you asked for my forgiveness, but what about me? Who will comfort me? You left me to face our families alone. When I was facing my parents' disappointment and the mockery of others, what were you doing?"Oh, you were helping your sweetheart who fell. She kissed you, and you couldn't resist, then you got carried away and used a box of condoms."Can you imagine what I have to face? You knew my parents were here to meet yours. You knew people would mock me for being pushed aside. You knew how important that day was to us, yet you let Faye make a scene unreasonably. You made me into a laughingstock."Chris, was that your so-called sincerity? Do you really want both families to meet again? Or are you so used to being in control and feeling bitter that I was the one ending this relationship? If that's the case, then just say it. Say 'Let's break up,' and I'll pick up my suitcase and leave."I don't care about anything anymore. I've been your lapdog for five years. I don't care ab
There were many times I cried very hard in my dreams, only to wake up alone in some hotel.I spent five years revolving around Chris. Now, when I tried to forget him, the pain ran deep in my bones and pierced through my heart like a dagger.Every night, when I couldn't sleep because of him, every cell in my body was in pain.Rationally, I knew I had to stay away from someone like Chris from the beginning. However, emotionally, after giving him five years of love without complaints, it was not something I could easily take back.I hated and resented him, but I also loved him.I hated that I had lost myself in this relationship and only had eyes for him. No matter how he treated me, I never thought of letting go.I resented that he knew there was someone else in his heart, knew how deep my feelings for him were, yet shamelessly deceived me.While he was enjoying my care for him, he was entangled in an ambiguous relationship with his beloved Faye. He never truly appreciated my devo
I remembered the day I left Chris' apartment with my suitcase, feeling truly empty.However, when I thought about the concern and comforting words from my parents, brother, and friends, I realized I wasn't truly alone. I only lost someone who never truly belonged to me.It was like a perfect world that had a dry leaf fall into it from the outside. You would think it was a precious gift from the world, so you exerted all your effort to cherish and protect it.Then, one day, you suddenly realized it was never a treasure. It was just a piece of trash blown in by the wind. It was everywhere once you stepped out of the room.How would you feel then?One would think that it was just trash. I could just throw it away, and I should have thrown it away long ago.The world was still the world, and I was still me. Nothing had changed.My world just excluded Chris Moyer.Time passed quickly when people were busy. By the time I completed my last task, it was almost New Year's.Due to my go
"Mr. Moyer, was I wrong?" I asked."Do you know what you're saying? You better come with me before I regret coming here, or there won't be a next time." Chris was embarrassed and furious.I felt like cursing his family. "Thank you, but please, there better not be a next time. I beg you.""Zara, I'll give you one last chance. Don't regret it later, and come crying to me." Chris was getting frustrated, and his speech became incoherent.Zachary couldn't take it anymore. He raised his hand and delivered a punch straight to Chris' nose, cursing through clenched teeth."Zara, you're actually letting your brother curse at me," Chris said.Zachary smirked before moving in and kicked him while he was down. "What's wrong with that? Did it hit a nerve? Or are you having trouble remembering? If you have trouble, I can carve it into your tombstone."Zachary was a long-distance runner and had learned martial arts before.In contrast, Chris was born into a wealthy family. Aside from his elega