ManyWriters

On April Fool's Day, Levi proposed to me over the phone.
The very next day, he took it back, using April Fool's as an excuse.
This is the prank he pulls every April Fool's Day without fail. This is the ninth time.
In past years' April Fool's lies, he's gathered friends to set me up, causing me to lose my entire company. He's also purposely called some thugs pretending to be clients, forcing me to drink until I had a bleeding ulcer, and more...
This year, he made a joke out of what I desire most.
After hanging up, I overheard Levi's friends roaring with laughter in their private room:
"Stella is such a pathetic woman! You've toyed with her so many times, yet she's still so desperately eager to marry you!"
Levi smugly looked at the phone he'd just hung up, lazily taking a sip of his drink:
"What can I say? Although this woman isn't good enough for me, she's truly a rare find as a dutiful wife and mother. If I marry her, no matter how I play around outside, she'll never question it."
"I really like that about her. This way, no one will stop me from being with Vivi, and I'll have a plain Jane to manage the household. What's not to love?"
"So I've decided! After I've had my fun a hundred times, I'll officially marry her!"Levi's brothers burst into laughter:
"Levi really knows how to handle women, making the most of every situation! From now on, when we're playing with women, we should learn from Levi's example!"
I gripped my phone tightly, unable to hold back a bitter laugh at my own expense.
So, the love I once held so sincerely in my heart was worth nothing in Levi's eyes.
Ten years of waiting would wear out even a machine.
Levi.
Those nine times I believed you were my love for you.
Now, I'm taking back my affection.
I lowered my head and dialed the number:
"Mom, Dad, I've made my decision. I'm coming home for the arranged marriage. I won't be staying here anymore."

Loveless, I'll Divorce You

The blood pooling in the toilet bowl was a shocking sight.


But I had grown accustomed to such scenes.


Ever since starting my business in Chicago, I had been drinking myself to death to secure more deals and handle more business dinners. It had taken a serious toll on my health - this would happen whenever I drank heavily.


I flushed the toilet and collapsed weakly on the floor.


Levi rushed back in, opening the door anxiously. He looked at me with concern as I stumbled out of the bathroom. Seeing that I seemed okay, he subtly breathed a sigh of relief before walking over to embrace me:


"The contract signing today was a huge success, Stella. It's all thanks to you. Your performance shows you'd make a perfect wife for me. Just wait a little longer - next time I won't be joking around. I'll propose to you for real. You can look forward to that!"


As he spoke, his restless hands started to wander beneath my clothes.


Chapter 5