Chapter 3

After that, Sean texted me a few times. I didn't respond to his messages, and he stopped sending them.

A week before my birthday, I thought I'd have to spend it alone. But just before midnight, Sean appeared in front of me despite the pouring rain, holding a cake. He put a necklace on me and apologized.

"That day was my fault," he said. "I didn't make you feel secure enough, and that's on me. Don't worry. Once this project is over, I'll talk to my family about our wedding."

After eight years together, this was the first time he had ever given me a promise like that. I counted the days, eagerly anticipating our wedding. But I would later realize that day was still far away.

After we reconciled, Sean came home every day after work, and we enjoyed our time together. For about two weeks, life felt peaceful. Then he became busy with work again.

One day, I went to dinner with my boss. As the meal ended, I noticed Sean sitting in the corner of the restaurant with Lavender.

Before I could approach, I heard him say, "This is to thank you for your suggestion. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to coax her. She used to be obedient and sensible—she's nothing like that now. Honestly, I'm sorry for dragging you into our mess that day."

Lavender suddenly looked in my direction. She flashed a smile at Sean, and said, "I heard you've been with Janelle for eight years. Why aren't you married yet?

"Do you really still like her? I don't want to see you spend your life with someone you don't love, and I don't want you to waste her time either. Promise me you'll be honest. I won't tell anyone."

I froze.

Silence stretched on for a few seconds before Sean finally said, "No matter how good a dish is, you'll get tired of it after eating it for years. But if it suddenly disappears from the menu, I can't bear it. So I'll leave it as it is."

My chest tightened, and I felt like I was on the verge of suffocating.

I strode toward him and grabbed a glass.

The moment he saw me, he immediately shielded Lavender behind him.

"Janelle, what are you doing here? Are you following me?"

His accusations and the way he was so protective of Lavender sent a dull ache throbbing in my chest. I could no longer hold back and threw the drink in his face.

The commotion drew the attention of other patrons.

Meanwhile, Lavender panicked and tried to wipe his face.

"Janelle, you can't treat Sean like that, no matter what."

I ignored her and stared right at Sean. He gently nudged Lavender aside and wiped his face.

"Janelle, no wonder you have no friends!" he spat. "No one wants to be close to you. Who could possibly tolerate your temper?"

The glass slipped from my grasp and shattered.

I never thought Sean would be so harsh toward me for another woman's sake, nor did I ever imagine he was capable of turning my trauma against me.

When I was young, Dad cheated and died with his lover at sea. Mom struggled to raise me alone. Yet, my poor family and ordinary life made me a target for bullying. I was even locked in the restroom after school as a prank.

Back then, Sean had appeared like a savior and rescued me. As he passed by, he told me not to blame myself for others' mistakes.

But now, he had completely contradicted that.

I looked at him, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face.

Yet he didn't even glance at me. He left with Lavender, leaving me in the restaurant.