It's Time to Let Go

I quietly turned off the notifications for the group chat and turned off my phone. Then, I stared blankly at the ring box.Just then, Charles' mother, Nora Glover, called, saying that she would be dropping by tomorrow on a business trip and wanted to see us.I was certain that Nora would ask if we were going to get married again. I told Charles about this and mentioned that I had work tomorrow, so I couldn't take time off.When he heard that, he frowned. "Work? How is work more important than my mother? You used to love going out with us. My mom rarely comes over. As her future daughter-in-law, you can't leave her hanging."If this were before, I would've been overjoyed hearing this subtle hint. But now, all I could think of was that text in the group chat that read, "She's not wife material."How laughable.Then again, Nora had always been kind to me. She treated me like I was her own daughter. After thinking it over, I decided to ask my boss for some time off.This time, Charl

Charles froze. He asked, "How did you know that?"I waved my phone at him. The screen showed the "Charles' Proposal Planning Committee" group chat. Clearly, I was in it."When… When did you join this chat?" Charles asked tremblingly."From the start," I answered, as calm as ever.Charles paled. He seemed to remember what he had said in the group chat. When he spoke again, it was with a hint of panic. "Cindy, those people in the group chat were just spouting nonsense. I was joking with them. Don't worry. You've been with me for many years. I won't actually leave you."Since you're already in the group, there's no point in hiding this from you. Let's go together. I'll explain everything to you when we return."Then, without giving me a chance to refuse, he grabbed my hand and brought me to the proposal venue.The venue was beautiful. Flowers were strewn everywhere, making it look like heaven on earth. There were many people present to witness the event. I spotted several familia

Shortly after I left, my phone rang. It was a call from my best friend, Anna Lucero.As soon as I picked up, I heard her ask anxiously, "Cindy, are you okay? I heard about everything… I've booked a hotel room for you. Don't worry. I've got you.""Thanks."After ending the call, I hailed a cab and gave the driver the hotel's name.When I arrived, I saw that Anna had already prepared wine and some snacks for me.She got to her feet and pulled me into a hug as soon as she saw me. "If you need to cry, go ahead, Cindy. Don't hold it in."Unable to hold back my emotions any longer, I buried myself in her embrace and burst into tears.I poured out all the grievances, heartbreak, and resentment I had felt in the last seven years, finally releasing all the pain I had been suppressing.Anna gently patted my back and comforted me softly, saying, "It's okay. It's okay. It will pass."I didn't know how long I cried, but eventually, I calmed down enough to draw away.Anna handed me a glass

Yvonne's voice sounded sickly sweet through the phone. It made me want to gag."Thank you for taking care of Charles for me while I was abroad," she said. "But now that we're getting married, I'd like to ask you to stop harassing him."He's already chosen me. I hope you can respect his decision. After all, being a homewrecker isn't exactly a flattering reputation, is it?"She spoke with such righteousness as if I was some lowly peasant while she was the crowned queen. Her audacity made me laugh out of sheer disbelief. What a masterful act of playing the victim.I held in my anger and retorted, "Ms. Cross, I believe you've got it mixed up. Who was it that had shamelessly pursued Charles all those years ago? Who swore that they would love him forever? And who, in the end, turned around and threw themselves into another man's embrace?""I…" Yvonne faltered, clearly panicked. "That's all in the past. Now, Charles and I are truly in love—""Truly in love? If I remember correctly, you