Chapter 3

"So why did you agree to give us a try in the first place?"

Jolene fell silent, her mouth open but no words coming out.

Garrison noticed the tense atmosphere and immediately put on a hurt expression with reddened eyes.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come back to the States. Then you two wouldn't have broken up because of me."

Jolene couldn't bear to see Garrison upset. The tears on his face clearly affected her. She pointed at me angrily and shouted:

"Yes, I never liked you these past five years! I only agreed to 'give it a try' because you kept pestering me. Garrison is the only one in my heart - before, now, and forever!"

In that moment, my world completely fell apart.

"I agree to break up."

I used my last bit of strength to utter those five words, then fled that suffocating environment in a pathetic state.

Before the tears could fall, I quickly put on my sunglasses.

Back in my room, I curled up into a ball and hid in the closet. It seemed like only in that cramped space could I feel a shred of safety.

I don't know why, but ever since Garrison came back, Jolene had become like a different person.

I clearly remember feeling her love before.I fell head over heels for Jolene at our high school freshman orientation. With her pure, innocent looks, she was the dream girl of many male classmates.

Back then, Jolene was notorious as the school's bad girl, constantly skipping class to hang out at internet cafes and butting heads with teachers at every turn.

But when the teacher switched her desk mate to Garrison, she started behaving in class and her grades began to improve steadily.

At that time, I was secretly pining for Jolene, always looking for chances to talk to her. Ironically, the first thing she asked me to do after we became friends was to help her pursue Garrison.

It wasn't until our senior year that Garrison got early admission to a school overseas.

I thought I'd finally gotten my chance. With Garrison out of the picture, I started boldly showing my affection for her, even applying to the same college as her.

Throughout college, I was always on her heels. The whole campus knew I had a thing for Jolene.

But Jolene neither rejected nor accepted me, enjoying my attention while waiting for the day Garrison would return.

It wasn't until our college graduation year that Garrison chose to stay abroad.

Jolene finally gave up on him then, accepting my confession and agreeing to be with me.After graduation, I followed her to work on a cruise ship.

During our five years together, I constantly showered Jolene with affection. Except for the stars and moon, I'd fulfill her every desire. Back then, her eyes were filled with nothing but me.

In our colleagues' eyes, we were the epitome of what a couple should be.

Some even declared that if we ever broke up, they'd lose faith in love altogether.

Due to our jobs, we were together almost every day. Jolene, with her sweet looks and gentle demeanor, often received room key cards from male clients in private. But she always politely declined.

"I already have a boyfriend, and I must remain pure for him," she'd say.

Just when I thought we were headed for marriage, Garrison suddenly decided to return to the States.

When Jolene heard this news, everything changed. Overnight, she suddenly fell out of love with me.

It was then that I realized throughout our relationship, Jolene had never truly fallen for me. The only person in her heart was Garrison.

This also explained why she never once mentioned marriage in those five years.