Chapter 3

We had been together for many years. Every time I suggested going to the movies like any normal couple, she would loop her arm through mine and coax me softly.

“Come on, I’m an actress now. If someone takes photos, my career will be in trouble. People might even dig into your private life. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

But after she became an actress, she was always “paired” with one male actor, or photographed vacationing with another male singer.

All those sweet words she used on me in the past echoed in my ears. With how deeply I used to love her, the mockery only stung deeper.

Halfway through the movie, George leaned close to her ear.

“Debbie, reporters are everywhere outside the cinema. Should we leave early?”

“We’ll go first. You leave later.” She did not ask for my opinion. She took George and left ahead of me.

I stayed in my seat and quietly finished the movie.

I would not suffer any longer for a woman who did not love me, and I would not live in fear because of her.

I would give the time and love I had left to myself.

I went to the hospital after finishing the movie in a good mood.

The pain from stomach cancer kept me from sleeping, and I needed intravenously administered pain medication to calm it.

The sharp smell of disinfectant filled the air.

On the TV, the paparazzi was reporting that the Best Actress had gone on a movie date with a rising young star, and the two of them had kissed sweetly on the street…

I fell asleep before the news ended. I vaguely felt my phone buzzing over and over in my arms.

I did not go home until midnight.

From afar, a small figure stood at my door.

It was Debbie.

All those years together, she was always the one getting drunk outside, or filming late into the night, and I would stand at the bar entrance or at the set just like she was doing. I would wait for her until the middle of the night.

I always brought tea to sober her up, or food to help her body recover.

But she never appreciated those acts.

She said that I was using it as an excuse to stalk her and interfere in her life.

I never thought the day would come when she would be the one waiting for me.

She ran over and hugged me tightly the moment she saw me.

“The movie ended ages ago. Where did you go? Why didn’t you come back? Don’t you know I would be worried? Don’t read the news today. They twisted the story on purpose. It’s fake.”

It took me a moment to remember what news she was referring to.

“It’s fine. I’m used to news like this.”

Hearing the indifference in my voice, she seemed to think back on everything she had done to me. Guilt flickered across her face for the first time.

Then, she took out a small box.

Inside lay a large diamond ring.

I froze.

I had dreamed about that moment countless times.

I had imagined her putting on the ring I had long prepared while taking a sincere vow for our years together.

But I felt nothing when I stared at this ring.

I set it casually on the table.

Her expression darkened. She frowned as she followed me into the apartment.

“Charles, you’ve really changed. How could you…”

I already knew the ending of that sentence.

She had expected me to glow with happiness, hug her in excitement, and instantly erase every grievance.

I forced a faint smile. “It’s a beautiful ring.”

“Do you like it?” she asked with a hopeful look.

I did not drop the smile. “I think so.”

Once upon a time, even the cheap matching rings she bought on a whim had felt like treasure to me, and I wore them every day.

How could I possibly dislike a ring with a massive diamond?

She finally breathed in relief and smiled.