ManyWriters

My boyfriend meticulously prepared gifts for six visits to my family, yet not once did he actually make it there.
The first time, his childhood sweetheart fainted at home due to low blood sugar.
In the dead of winter, he left me alone at an unfamiliar toll booth, disappearing without a trace.
The second time, his childhood sweetheart attempted suicide at home over a man, slitting her wrists.
He had already reached my doorstep, but thrust the gifts into my hands and turned away.
I've argued with him, thrown tantrums, but to no avail.
"Can't you stop being unreasonable? We can visit your parents anytime, but can human life wait?"
Today marks his sixth time at my doorstep, and the sixth time he's abandoned me after receiving a call.
My parents' reactions have evolved from initial anger and confusion to resignation and exhaustion.
"Do you still want to go through with this marriage?"
Looking at my parents, their hair half-grayed from worrying about my marriage, I threw out all the gifts my boyfriend had brought.
"Of course I'm getting married, and it'll be a grand affair. But I have someone else in mind for the groom."

Boyfriend Fired By Me

Damien first forgot about our travel plans to celebrate Melody's birthday,


then he forgot to pick me up at the airport because he was helping Melody,


and later, because of Melody, he repeatedly left me alone to face my parents' disappointed looks.


I invested seven years of my youth in him, and I hoped more than anyone that we could have a happy ending.


So I kept reassuring myself and appeasing my parents time and time again.


But today, when Damien abandoned me once more because of Melody, I finally let go.


Damien, it seems we can only go this far.


"You want to break up with me over this little thing?"


Damien finally reluctantly lifted his gaze from his phone to look at me.


Seeing my unhappy expression, he pursed his lips and swiftly transferred me ten grand:


"Alright, don't get upset over this small matter. Take the money and buy your dad some new cigars, get your mom some new clothes. I'll accompany you to visit them in a few days, okay?"


"Um, I just got off work and I'm really tired. I don't have time to deal with your little tantrum right now."I coldly scoffed, ignoring his outstretched hand, and placed the prepared meal in front of myself:


"Aria, we're almost thirty. Don't throw childish tantrums."


Damien tossed his phone on the table, speaking to me impatiently,


"I've explained this to you many times. I only see Melody as a sister. Her family has helped me a lot since I was young, and now I'm just returning the favor. Can you stop making unreasonable fuss?"


"Aria, when did you become so unreasonable?"


"Is it those so-called besties of yours telling you things again? I've told you before, stop hanging out with them. They're just unhappy with their own lives, so they're jealous seeing us happy. You..."


Melody, Melody, how endearing those calls sound.


I gripped my chopsticks tightly, interrupting him, unable to bear it any longer,


"Damien, it's the sixth time. This is the sixth time you've abandoned me for Melody."


"Melody is twenty-eight years old. Is she, as a grown adult, incapable of handling small issues like a cut finger, a lost cat, or misplaced work documents?!"Alright, even if you say it's a matter of life and death, she had time to call you but no time to dial 911? Damien, are you really that incredible that you can save every suicidal person every single time?"


Chapter 2