Chapter 2 Breaking Promises

The door slammed shut with a thud.

I looked up to stare at the screen.

The younger Anastasia was still there, cheeks flushed as she confessed her love to the camera.

Behind her was that warm little house of hers. Watching it, I felt like an outsider peering into a world of happiness that had never belonged to me.

In fact, I learned that she had dated her first love for a long time when we first got together.

Back then, she looked me earnestly in the eyes and said, "Wyatt, I don't want to hide anything from you. I'm telling you this because you deserve to know my past. From the moment he broke up with me, he and I became strangers."

Just as George said, he was the ex she could never forget about.

At that time, I did not even care about her past romantic relationship. Even more, I was confident that I could give her a better life and make her happier.

Three years into our relationship, George, who had disappeared for years, suddenly returned on our anniversary.

He showed up at our doorstep with his luggage.

It was the first time Anastasia stood me up.

Ever since that happened, George had always come between us.

Once, I was seriously ill while he suffered from problems in his business. Without telling me, Anastasia transferred the money meant for my treatment to him so he could get through his crisis.

Left without money to pay the hospital fees, I could only spend my days sleeping on the bed in the hallway.

Even then, she asked me to understand him.

"I'll find a way to raise money. George is having trouble at the moment. I can't stand by and watch him suffer. We have been together for so long, and I never oppose you. So please, let me be selfish this once."

She leaned against my bed and clutched my hand, offering words of comfort and explanation. Yet, I didn't see a hint of guilt on her face.

Even the doctor tried to appeal to her. "It's the best time for the surgery. Dragging it out will add to the patient's suffering."

"Doctor, please give him some painkillers. We can't afford his surgery right now."

Her words hurt more than the physical pain I endured.

I was only discharged after six months. Marks from the painkillers' injections covered my arms.

Upon my discharge, Anastasia promised that it would be the last time she chose George over me.

But once a line had been crossed, it would be crossed again and again.

She began dressing in styles George had once praised. She cooked meals according to his taste.

Above everything, she forgot that I was allergic to those ingredients.

She began to mix the blended mangoes with milk or add coriander to soup.

I did not remember exactly when it started, but I started to carry allergy medication around.

I felt truly exhausted after having been disappointed by her countless times.

Finally, I gave her an ultimatum. "Anastasia, we should break up if you still have feelings for George."

That night, she did not come home. When she came back in the morning, she had dark circles under her eyes.

"I have talked to George. We'll never see each other again. Please give me some time, Wyatt. Never speak of breaking up again. I can't bear the thought of not being with you."

Her reddened eyes locked with mine as she begged again and again.

She placed the custom-made wedding ring on my palm. "Let's get married and make it official. Let's put the bad memories behind us."

Looking at the tears streaking down her face, my heart still softened.

Besides, I was still hoping things could get better between us.

I clung to the idea that time could take our bad memories away.

We had spent seven years seeing each other; I did not want it to end without me trying.

One day before our marriage registration, I stumbled upon her chat log with a friend.

'It's unfair to Wyatt. After all, the two of you have been together for seven years.'

'George abandoned you, remember? Wyatt has never wronged you.'

Despite her friend's reason, Anastasia's reply broke my heart again.

It read, 'I'm marrying Wyatt tomorrow, and we'll have our wedding soon. From tomorrow on, he'll have the rest of my life. However, George is special.'

Her friend questioned her. 'What if Wyatt finds out you're still seeing George?'

After a long pause, Anastasia replied, 'I won't let him find out.'

Since she had no intention of keeping her promise, then I would no longer keep mine either.