All Chapters of The One I Couldn’t Let Go: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

On our first date, my heart pounded like a drum.But I waited until the streetlights flickered on one by one, and he still didn’t show up.I stood there in the chilly autumn breeze for over two hours before he finally called.His voice on the phone was full of apologies, saying he had lost track of time while working on an experiment.Later, one of his friends let it slip that Keith had actually spent the night gaming at an internet café.Did I feel sad back then?I couldn’t remember.I had always been the one left behind. If anything, I was already used to it.Not long after, he gave me a bouquet, and just like that, I happily followed him again.In those chat logs, he called me dumb and said I was gullible and easy to please.…For the first time, after making him breakfast every morning, I only made a portion for myself.He sat across from me in his loose T-shirt, propping his chin up with one hand, watching me.His eyes always carried that deceptively affectionate look."No breakf

I scoffed. "Well, that was his fault to begin with." My best friend looked like she was smiling—or maybe she wasn’t. My head was too much of a mess to figure it out. Instead, I just kept drinking, swallowing down mouthful after mouthful of alcohol on instinct. I learned back in my sophomore year of college that drinking really could numb the pain. I could barely remember who I used to be. It felt like a memory from another lifetime—a girl who was always gloomy, worried about being disliked, and trying to shrink herself into the shadows. Keith had never been like that. From the moment I met him, he was bold, radiant, the kind of person who drew all the attention in the room. He was the one to pursue me, and back then, I couldn’t understand why. What did he even see in me? All I could do was passively accept the sweet words, the grand gestures, the effortless romance he showered me with. And, weak-willed as I was, I fell for it—ignoring every warning my best friend wh

I tugged at the person beside me. He was still half-asleep, murmuring in acknowledgment before pulling me closer and pressing a lazy kiss against my lips. His tousled black hair brushed against my cheek, soft and ticklish. "Wait—" I nudged my knee against a particular spot, and only then did he release me, squinting groggily in my direction. "Someone’s knocking. I’m going to check." I reached for the knitted cardigan on the bed, threw it over my shoulders, and slipped out of his arms. He watched me, dazed for a moment. His eyelashes were surprisingly long, especially in the mornings when he was still groggy and impatient. His uncurled eyelashes casting faint shadows against his skin. And that tiny mole at the corner of his eye always seemed so effortlessly tempting. He rubbed his left arm sluggishly and trailed behind me. Only then did I realize I had been sleeping on it all night. No wonder he looked a little stiff. …Whoever was at the door was persistent. I

"You still remember that road? I think I was the one who carried you home that night.""Teresa, do you think you’ll be with someone else?""Teresa, I’ve been coming home late these past few days because I didn’t want to pass my cold to you.""Teresa, tell me… what am I supposed to do so I don’t lose you?""I want to marry you, Teresa."…"Can you shut up for a second?"At a red light, I finally lost my patience.Did he always talk this much when he was drunk? Or was it just the fever frying his brain?He looked like he was about to say something else, but before he could, my phone rang.The caller ID showed one of Keith’s coworkers."Hey, uh… is Keith home yet?""He drank a lot tonight, but he kept insisting on walking back. With how strong the wind is outside, I figured I should check—"I barely listened as I muttered a few quick responses, my attention shifting to the rearview mirror.Keith was watching me.His signature, deep-set eyes held the reflections of the city lights, dazzlin

For the past few days, the sky over River City had been heavy with clouds, the kind that threatened rain but never followed through. The dull, overcast light filtered in through the window, casting the room in quiet, muted tones. Keith’s phone rang. He didn’t move away to answer it, just held me closer, keeping me within earshot of the entire conversation. It was one of his childhood friends, calling to invite him to game. "I’m with my wife.” As he spoke, his grip on my waist tightened slightly. "Come on, you can’t spare even a little time?" "Nope." His chin rested lightly against the top of my head. "Listen, man, sometimes you can’t just do everything your wife says," his friend joked, completely unaware I was right there. Keith lazily toyed with a strand of my hair, twirling it around his finger. When his friend realized persuasion wasn’t working, he let out a dramatic wail. "Keith, you’re not my buddy anymore. You’ve turned into a complete simp—" "I’ll sim