An Unwanted Love

He once said, "Jessica, I don't ask for you to see me. I only hope that from now on, you can live freely, following your heart."How ridiculous it was.I cleared my heart, making room for Christopher.I fell deeper and deeper in love.I started fantasizing about our sweet future together.But all I did was give him the perfect opportunity to carve wounds into my heart, one slice at a time, leaving me bloodied.The pain was unbearable, like a slow, agonizing execution.My emotions tugged at me, and my eyes burned with uncontrollable pain.A tear slipped down, and I wiped it away immediately.Inside, the conversation continued, voices throwing out ideas for his revenge."If you want to get back at a woman, the best way is to let her experience the peak of happiness—only to shove her straight into the abyss. Wouldn't that be more entertaining?""Exactly. Mr. Sanders, you should go back. Go with her to pick out a wedding gown, send out invitations together, and act like everythi

Lies. It was all lies."There are only 20 days left until our wedding. I'll stay home with you during this time and make sure you become the most beautiful bride, okay?""Unfortunately, there's no future for us," I thought to myself.He wiped away my tears with his fingertips. When those alluring eyes locked onto you, they made you believe he was deeply in love. "I'm going out for a smoke. You'll be discharged soon."Maybe Christopher trusted me too much, or perhaps he didn't care whether I overthought things. After all, he was just following his friend's advice, putting on an act of devotion.So, I picked up his phone, which kept buzzing with notifications.The password was my birthday.I had always known it, but I had never checked before.I unlocked the phone smoothly and noticed a young woman saved as "Peach Blossom" had sent him a flood of messages.They had only added each other yesterday."Chris, you went back so late. Remember to get some rest, okay?""I heard

These would be my final gifts to him—the kind that would cut deep and leave scars on his heart.In the end, Christopher made the decision about the wedding gown. He said that for now, I'd have to settle for something temporary.He had already paid a fortune to have a new gown custom-made by a top designer, which I'd wear when we held our wedding on the island.Oh, right—that island. The one he bought when he proposed to me. The one he named after me.How ironic.Back then, when he proposed, he said he had finally gotten what he always wanted.Now, as our wedding day approached, he was the one planning to run away, leaving me humiliated on the altar."Tell me, Christopher. Is it so hard to find true love in this world?" I wondered to myself.…I saw another update from that young woman."Landed my new job! Chris is keeping me by his side. One step closer to my dream guy! Hehe…"Attached was a candid photo of Christopher in a meeting.I took screenshots of everything.Then,

"Chris and I are the real match, don't you think?" Ryleigh said.It felt like a heavy stone was pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.Ryleigh, however, was relentless in her provocation."Women always choose to marry the one who loves them more than they love him. Do you really think he believes that after ten years of you loving someone else, you could so easily fall in love with him? You've only been together for, what, five years?"So, Christopher had told her everything.She was right. After I stopped pursuing Hugh, I spent two years as just a friend to Christopher. Only after I confirmed my feelings did we start dating for three years.I lowered my gaze and let out a chuckle."If you were truly confident that he would choose you, you wouldn't be here talking to me right now."Ryleigh's face paled, but she quickly retorted, "It's just a matter of time, isn't it? Just like you. You chose him after realizing his unrequited love. Soon, the tables will turn, and

Before long, I saw Christopher arrive.Ryleigh threw herself into his arms.He stood there, unmoving. He didn't return her hug, but he didn't push her away either.I was too far to hear what they were saying.Ryleigh buried her head in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.Strangely, I felt nothing this time.Suddenly, memories from my second year of dating Christopher surfaced.…When emotions ran deep, I had once asked him, "Do you think you'll ever cheat on me and fall for someone younger and prettier?"He had rubbed his cheek against mine and laughed. "What are you even saying? Who could ever be more beautiful than you?"Besides, if even I were capable of cheating on you, then there wouldn't be a single loyal man left in this world. I met you at 12 and got together with you at 25. Half my life has been spent with you. How could I ever love someone else?"…They were all lies.My phone buzzed with messages from my senior mentor, Monica Stiles."My professor is a legend. Y