Echoes of a Vanished Love

In the sixth year of our relationship, I found a gift box containing an engagement ring in the coat pocket of my boyfriend, Liam Sherman.

On the day of my birthday, I was filled with anticipation, only to see a post of him visiting a high-end restaurant frequented by couples with another woman.

I hurriedly took a taxi to that restaurant and personally witnessed him getting down on one knee to propose to someone else. Everyone around them was teasing them, encouraging them to get together.

Even though I was filled with disappointment, I didn't kick up a fuss like before. Instead, I quietly made a call to my father, Adam Southwell.

"I agree to the arranged marriage with the Chandler family, Dad. Let's start preparing for the wedding," I said.

…

After he heard what I said, Adam was stunned, but it was quickly replaced with elation. "It looks like you've finally thought things through, dear Mimi. The most important thing in marriage is to find yourself a good match.

"It's alright if you want to try dating all those average Joes out there, but you can't settle for average for the rest of your life!"

I hummed softly in acknowledgement. As I stood alone in the lobby of the high-end restaurant, I watched Liam and that woman kiss as the crowd erupted.

Amidst the cheering, I remained motionless, my limbs as stiff and heavy as stone.

Adam heard the commotion on my end and urged, "When will you be coming home to meet the young heir of the Chandler family, then? They've been urging us to proceed with the engagement for quite some time."

"Three days later, I'd say. I'll head home immediately after I've tied up all my loose ends here," I replied.

As I hung up, Liam shakily helped the woman put on the ring. He noticed me as he got up, perhaps because I stood out so starkly from the enthusiastic crowd surrounding him.

The two of us gazed at each other through the crowd. Seemingly rather surprised by my presence here, he frowned before leading the woman back to her seat.

Roses, champagne, melodious piano music, and a romantic candlelight dinner… In the six years we'd been together, I'd never had a meal with him in such a place.

I turned to leave. Liam's good friends were all here. In fact, one of them had been the one to make the post I'd seen before.

Before I left, I even heard them wolf-whistling and clapping.

"You two really are a perfect match! After so many years, you've finally gotten together!"

"Come on! Cheers, everyone! Let's drink to the new couple and wish them a happy marriage!"

Inwardly, I smiled bitterly. During the six years I'd been with Liam, none of his good friends even knew about our relationship. Yet, they were all aware of the relationship between him and that woman.

An unnamed bitterness clawed at my heart. The sweet warmth that I'd felt when I first discovered the ring in his pocket had now turned into a bitter coldness.

After taking a taxi home, I saw that a birthday cake had been delivered to the house. The gift card hanging on the outside of the box had Liam's handwriting on it.

It read, "Happy birthday to you, babe. May all your wishes come true."

The deliveryman smiled enviously at me. "Your boyfriend treats you so well, miss. He ordered the most expensive cake in our store and even personally wrote you a message!"

I opened the door and placed the cake on the table without much care. It turned out he still remembered that today was my birthday. Why, then, had he done all that today?

I lay down on the couch as if I've lost my skeleton. I subconsciously started tearing up at the sight of the empty room.

The room was filled with signs of the life we shared together, yet Liam had bought an engagement ring to propose to another woman.

When I looked at the birthday cake now, I simply felt sick to the stomach.

After lying on the couch for a long time, to the point where I'd almost lost track of time, the apartment door was suddenly pushed open.