A New Bedfellow

In the seventh year of my relationship with Ralph Green, he still didn't propose to me. So, I secretly reserved a ring and bought my favorite wedding dress.

After being with him for so many years, my biggest wish was to marry him. I decorated a room with my friends, planning to give him a surprise.

But just as I was about to tell him, I overheard his phone conversation with a friend.

"I've gotten bored of Mabel for a long time now," Ralph said with unmistakable disdain.

"I suppose anything that stays the same for seven years becomes boring."

His friend, who was on speakerphone, mocked me as well, saying, "It's understandable. She hasn't changed things up all these years.

"Still, with that face and that body… Shouldn't you let us have a go at her first?"

Ralph took a drag on his cigarette and replied indifferently, "Sure, why not? Why even ask me?"

I didn't walk into the room, and he didn't call me afterward. I finally decided to break up with him that night.

Not long after, rumors began to spread that Ralph was pursuing a model, just like how he once pursued me. He bought her countless gifts and was at her beck and call.

With Ralph's usual sweet words, it didn't take long for the woman to agree to be with him. After all, not many women could resist being wooed like that.

Soon, he brought her along to a gathering. The moment they walked into the private room, everyone turned to look at me with strange expressions.

I smiled back at them. "Why is everyone looking at me?"

Ralph glanced at me briefly before wrapping his arm around his new flame and sitting down right next to me.

"Mabel, since you've already seen it, I'll just be honest. We've been together for seven years now, and it's gotten pretty dull."

I knew he would say something hurtful, but hearing it still made my heart ache. The wedding ring I had prepared was tightly clenched in my palm.

I sat there calmly, showing no reaction.

"I like Tammy and don't want her to feel wronged," he said as he gently stroked the woman's hair.

Watching him dote on her as if she were the most precious thing in the world, I found myself in a daze. He used to treat me with the same tender care.

But now, the one he loved wasn't me anymore.

"Mabel Lawson, let's break up," Ralph said.

I nodded lightly. "Alright."

Just as I turned to leave the private room, someone grabbed my hand.

"Mabel, even though we've broken up, we're still friends. As long as you're in Swelgan, you can still come to me if you need anything."

I pulled my hand away and glanced at the woman beside him. "There's no need, Ralph. I don't want any misunderstandings. Take your time and enjoy yourselves. I'll be leaving now."

Ralph looked visibly stunned by my response. But at that moment, I couldn't bear to look at him for even another second.

As I turned to leave and closed the door, I overheard someone inside ask, "How long do you think Mabel will hold out this time?"

"Half a day? Maybe two days?"

"I think she looks pretty upset. I'll bet on a bigger one this time—three days!"

Ralph glanced toward the doorway, seeming to realize I hadn't gone far.

He spoke with a voice full of disdain. "Don't worry, she won't last a day before she comes crying and begging me to take her back."

"Oh, right! I almost forgot—she's always been like that all these years," someone chimed in.

"Everyone knows how crazy Mabel is about Ralph…"

I let out a deep sigh and gently closed the door.

When I got home, I took the wedding dress out of the closet. The pure white gown now felt like a dagger stabbing my eyes.

I had planned to wear it to propose to him, but now it seemed that chance was gone forever. As I stared at the dress, the memories of our relationship felt as if they had happened only yesterday.

I grabbed the lighter from the table and set the dress on fire. Since I no longer wanted the man, there was no reason to keep the things either.

I left the ring I'd prepared on his desk, packed a few changes of clothes, and walked away without looking back.

I sent him a text on the way to the airport. "Feel free to deal with the stuff in the room however you want."

Then, I booked a 1:00 am flight to Suttonville.

When I was with Ralph, my entire life revolved around him from morning till night. I didn't even see my best friend, Florence Knowles, off when she moved to Suttonville.

At the time, she teased me, saying I valued love over friendship, and told me to visit her in Suttonville for a few days. Now, I could finally go see her.