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

The familiar sound of sobbing on the other end of the phone was all too familiar to me. After all, in this short year, I had heard her voice countless times from Damien's phone.


On our seventh anniversary, she said her car broke down, and Damien left without a moment's hesitation.


On my birthday, as I was blowing out the candles and making a wish, she said she was afraid of the rain. Before I could even open my eyes, Damien had already turned to leave.


When I was in the hospital with a high fever, hooked up to an IV, she said she cut her finger. Damien abandoned me and rushed to carefully bandage her wound.


As I waited outside my father's operating room, she said she was heartbroken and wanted to watch the sunrise. Without a word, Damien drove all night to take her to see the breathtaking sunrise in Los Angeles.


Whenever Melody called, Damien would immediately rush to her side.


And I, Damien's official girlfriend, could only watch his retreating back with understanding.


It wasn't until Damien reached the door that he seemed to remember my existence. He turned to look at me.


"Em, you're not thinking clearly right now. We'll discuss our issues when you've calmed down."


Before I could respond, the door slammed shut.


I let out a cold laugh as I looked away.Unfortunately, this time I won't forgive him like I did before.


After efficiently packing up my things, I left without looking back.


I refuse to continue being his free maid.


The next time I heard about Damien was three days later, right after I had finished my third failed blind date.


I was texting my friend to vent about my awful date when Damien suddenly grabbed my hand.


"I didn't believe Melody when she said she saw you cozying up to some guy, but here you are. Aria, you accused me of being too close with Melody, so what do you call this?"


I yanked my hand away in disgust, rubbing the red marks on my wrist.


"Damien, we've broken up. I don't need to explain my actions to you anymore."


A flash of impatience crossed Damien's face.


"Aria, there's a limit to how long you can keep up this tantrum. I won't indulge you forever."


"Damien, how can you talk to Em like that? Girls need to be sweet-talked. You know how to sweet-talk me, so why can't you do it for your actual girlfriend?Standing beside him, Melody playfully swatted Damien's shoulder and turned to me with a resigned look.


"Em, don't take Damien too seriously. He's just got that typical guy mentality. But relationships need work, you know? You can't keep threatening to break up all the time. Even the strongest love will wear thin if you do that long enough."


I let out a cold laugh and locked eyes with Melody, my gaze full of defiance.


Chapter 4