Chapter 3
I thought about it for a moment before. asking, “Is the girl seriously injured?”
The nurse scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Seriously injured? Please. If it had been two minutes later, the wound would have healed on its own. She kept screaming about glass shards in her injury.”
“The man believed it so much, he wouldn’t stop pestering the doctor to recheck her. He was running around all night. They’re both a pair of oddballs, honestly.”
The nurse let out a frustrated sigh and added, “Miss, your choice in boyfriends is really something else.”
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. Even strangers could see Liam’s clear favoritism, but it took me five years to realize it myself.
I stayed in the hospital for five days, and
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during that time, Liam never once
contacted me.
Yet, every day, I saw him in Evelyn‘ s posts.
He was either cooking for her, washing her feet, or even doing her laundry.
They took trips to see the sea and watch the
sunset, their smiles shining brightly in
every photo.
They even shared a kiss at the top
top of a
Ferris wheel, the view breathtaking, just
like their love.
How romantic, how beautiful.
Someone commented on Evelyn’s post, “Your boyfriend is so romantic, he clearly loves you so much.”
And Evelyn responded with a proud smile, “Not boyfriend, but my exclusive knight.”
They didn’t talk about love everywhere, but their love was there, in every moment, in every gesture.
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The two of them, calling themselves childhood sweethearts, carried on with their intimate displays, doing all sorts of things that blurred the lines of friendship. Meanwhile, I had been with Liam for five
years, and he had never once cooked for
- me.
There was that time I was sick with a fever
and craving seafood porridge, so I asked him to make it for me. His response? “I‘ m already exhausted from work, and now you want me to serve you at home? Don‘ t you feel bad for me? Why don‘ t I just order takeout?”
I remember, foolishly, questioning whether I had asked too much. In the end, I didn’t get the porridge I longed for. Instead, I drank a box of milk and nibbled on a couple of dry pieces of bread.
Later that night, I woke up thirsty and stumbled to the kitchen to get some water. He complained that I was being too noisy, disturbing his sleep. So, I spent the rest of
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the night curled up on the sofa alone.
The next morning, he woke up early and, while changing his shoes, said, “If I finish work early today, I’ll bring you the seafood porridge.”
He left without even acknowledging the breakfast I had prepared for him. I sat down to eat in silence, my phone in hand. That’s when I saw Evelyn‘ s post.
“Who said he wanted to eat and got fed immediately? Hehe, it was me.”
The photo showed two elaborate breakfasts and a buttery croissant, one of those rare delicacies you had to arrive early for. The person holding the buttery croissant had a watch on their wrist that I knew all too well it was the birthday gift I had just given Liam.
What did I feel at that moment? Heartache, frustration, anger, but no despair. I used to believe that one day, I would replace Evelyn. But now, I have given up on that
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dream.
During my hospital stay, I wasn‘ t idle. I confirmed orders with my partner and made arrangements to sign the contract once I was discharged. My father also sent over wedding dress and ring designs, telling me that my fiancé had carefully selected them. Everything was in place, waiting for me to come home.
As I stared at the beautiful wedding dress and the massive engagement ring, a small part of me felt a flicker of hope.
After several days of rest, my health slowly improved.
On the day I was discharged from the hospital, Liam finally remembered me. He called, but I didn’t answer.
When I returned home, I found him. unexpectedly waiting for me. As soon as he saw me, he rushed over to greet me.
