ManyWriters

I had been in a secret relationship with my childhood sweetheart, Garrison, for three years.
I had always been looking forward to the day he would propose.
But after waiting for three years, what I got instead was a blank check from him. He said, "Delia's back. I can't let her know about your existence. As long as you're willing to leave the country, you can fill in this check for any amount you want."
Only then did I realize that I had always been a stand-in for his true love, Delia.
Heartbroken and devastated, I refused to accept his attempt to pay me off and turned to leave.
The next day when I opened my eyes, I found myself in a foreign country.
Three years later, when his life with his true love had become a mess, he remembered me and sent someone to bring me back.
But when he saw the wedding ring on my ring finger, he cried his eyes out like a madman.

Half Storm, Half Scar

Not long after those words were spoken, Delia burst through the door in a fury.


Seeing me there, her eyes flashed with intense anger and resentment. She screamed as she charged at me, "You shameless whore, how dare you seduce my husband!"


I had removed my hearing aids, so I could only hear faint sounds.


As a result, I couldn't dodge in time and was struck hard on the head by Delia's swinging purse.


The chain on her bag scraped across my face, leaving a red, bloody scratch.


I felt the pain radiating from my face and gently touched the spot.


Before I could react, Garrison suddenly exploded in rage. He shoved her away forcefully and berated her, "Delia, look at yourself! How are you any different from a shrew?"


After shouting, he turned to me with eyes full of concern.


But I avoided his gaze, looking instead at the red-faced Delia before me.


Three years ago, I had once seen her photo on Garrison's phone.


Back then, she had long, jet-black hair. She was sunny and cute - the picture of pure love that men adore.


But now her long hair had turned yellowish and unkempt. Her eyes revealed obvious exhaustion, her skin sallow and dull. All her former radiance was gone. Delia's eyes welled up with tears, her voice choked with anger as she spoke, "Why do you think I've become like this? Garrison, we were about to get married. Why did you have to see her? Are you still hung up on her?"


Garrison looked at me, conflict flickering in his eyes, but he remained silent.


I could barely hear anything, unable to make out what she was saying.


I glanced at the hearing aid on the dining table, about to reach for it when an enraged Delia snatched it and smashed it to the ground, shouting at Garrison, "I'm talking to you! Why are you looking at her?"


Watching my hearing aid being thrown to the floor, I panicked.


This was a custom-made hearing aid. From fitting to actual use, I had waited a full three months.


If it broke, I'd have to wait another three months, which would delay many things.


Disregarding everything else, I crouched down to pick it up.


Delia's anger intensified, and she viciously raised her foot to crush it, "Melody, you bitch, why did you come back after leaving? Are you deliberately trying to spite me?"


I desperately lunged forward, trying to salvage it, but just as I reached out, she stomped directly on the back of my hand. The familiar pain brought tears streaming down my face.


In that moment, I was reminded of that dark time, and the fear I had tried so hard to suppress was reignited.


"Delia, I'm not trying to steal Garrison from you..."


Delia didn't believe me, pressing her foot down even harder.


She opened her mouth in a grotesque snarl and screamed, but I couldn't hear anything.


Thankfully, Garrison reacted quickly, shoving her away before turning to help me up, his face etched with concern as he said something.


I peered at his moving lips through blurry tears, trying to make out his words.


Before I could understand, Delia lunged at me like a madwoman, grappling with me.


Garrison stepped between us, angrily berating her: "Delia, if you dare act out again, our marriage is off!"


Gazing at me tenderly, he said, "Melody, haven't you always wanted to marry me? Will you be my wife?"


Chapter 3