Lahat ng Kabanata ng Five Missed Vows, Then I Cut Her Off: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

Edna said I was handsome, clean-cut, and mild-tempered. She complimented me on my work and on matching her ideal type in every way.Back then, I just found her impulsive acts interesting and casually accepted her request to exchange numbers.After that day, she occasionally brought me homemade lunches and found excuses to meet up. Before long, we naturally ended up as a couple.Two months into our relationship, I called her one day, but a man picked up. For a second, I thought I had dialed the wrong number, until the man spoke with a casual, annoying familiarity and called out my name."You're Zackary Pratt, aren't you? I'm Nolan Page. Edna's in the kitchen cooking for me, but hang on. I'll have her call you back."In the background, I could hear Edna humming lightly and the clatter of a spatula against a pot. That was the first time I learned of Nolan's existence. At first, I assumed he was her relative, but she told me that Nolan was a neighbor she had grown up with. He had

The night passed with me having restless fits.While I was half-awake and half-dreaming, images of Edna and Nolan filled my mind.When I dragged myself out of bed to wash up, my reflection in the mirror was a man with sunken eyes and unkempt stubble. I looked so disheveled and worn like a lost soul.After three years of deep affection, this wretched state was all I received in return.Deep down, I was disgusted that I had let myself fall apart and get so torn up over a relationship that wasn't even worth the effort. Now that I had come to this point, I had to make things right and turn the page, clean and fast.After scooping up a handful of cold water, I splashed it hard against my face, shaved off the stubble, and changed into a crisp shirt. The man in the mirror finally began to resemble his old self again.A friend called. "We're meeting up at the usual place tonight, Zack. Don't you dare ditch us and make excuses about being with your girlfriend again."I subconsciously ask

I could hardly believe what I heard. "Have you lost your memory, Edna? We broke up—do you understand what that means?"Though my attitude was firm, she stubbornly stood in my way. "Just because I didn't show up to register our marriage that day?"I laughed in disbelief at how clueless she was, and honestly, I didn't understand either. If I always came second to Nolan in her heart, why didn't she just be with him in the first place?Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a few colleagues pretending to walk past while eavesdropping on our conversation. Still, I continued, "I don't want to fight you here, but remember that breaking up means it's over. Don't bother me again."With that, I shook her hand off and walked away without another glance.In the days that followed, I completely buried myself in work and handed any task that required coordination with her team to colleagues on my team.Whenever we crossed paths in the hallway, she always slowed down, and her eyes held a hesitant

My phone buzzed nonstop with Christmas greetings from friends and colleagues.Bruno excitedly called me, "Merry Christmas, Zack!""Merry Christmas," I said as I packed up for Lemuria. "What's up?"Bruno could barely hold back his laughter. "Guess what? When Edna heard you're being transferred to Lemuria, she stormed into Orlando's office today and made a scene. She was rambling that you can't leave…"My hands paused on the suitcase zipper, and I suddenly laughed out loud. How had I never realized Edna was such an idiot? Did she think she owned the company?Still, I asked, "Orlando didn't get mad, did he?"Bruno snorted. "Not at all. He kicked her out on the spot and said if she caused trouble again, she could pack up and leave for good."I breathed a sigh of relief. This second chance was mine to keep, and I wasn't about to let Edna screw it up again.I walked out onto the balcony and saw that the frail Edna was still pacing below. She was blowing into her hands, and her nose w