All Chapters of Five Missed Vows, Then I Cut Her Off: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

Edna Crosby stood me up at the city hall for the marriage registration again, all for the sake of her childhood sweetheart, Nolan Page.I received no replies when I texted her, and she never picked up when I called.All around me, smiling couples arrived in pairs, here to register their marriages. Only I sat alone on a bench, feeling completely out of place.When the call finally went through, it was Nolan's voice on the other end. "I'm so sorry about this, Zack. I got scratched by a stray cat, so Edna's with me at the hospital getting a rabies shot."He said it so matter-of-factly, even with a hint of spoiled pride.Including today, this made the fifth time Edna had stood me up.The fourth time, Nolan had twisted his ankle, so she had rushed him to the hospital.The third time, it suddenly rained, so she dropped everything to bring him an umbrella. The second time, he had gotten drunk in a bar in the middle of the day, so she had been in a hurry to pick him up.…On all fiv

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

After killing some time outside, I returned home and noticed a pair of women's high heels by the door. I instantly recognized them as the heels I had bought for Edna.Though we weren't living together yet, I had given her a spare key to my apartment.In the living room, she was curled up on the couch and taking a nap. When she heard the noise, she slowly opened her eyes and didn't look well.I walked straight past her, hung my coat on the rack, and headed into the kitchen to start cooking, treating her like she wasn't even there.Her voice came out hoarse when she spoke. "Zackary, why did you block me everywhere?"I tied an apron and calmly said, "I remember sending you a message to tell you that we're done."She sighed. "Is that just because I missed our appointment at the city hall?"I'm sorry, but Nolan did get scratched by a cat. The wound was really deep—""This is the fifth time," I cut her off. The kitchen knife hit the cutting board with a dull, heavy thud as I contin

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

Visiting Sandpiper Shores had always been my unfulfilled longing.Last winter, I remembered spending the whole month excitedly planning the trip and even buying matching couple hats for Edna and me."Nothing's going to interrupt us this time, not even Nolan." She had solemnly promised me back then, but just minutes before we were about to board the plane, his call still came.I could still remember the way Edna's face drained of color after she answered. "Nolan got into a fight at the bar, and he's in the hospital right now… I have to check on him!"She didn't spare a thought for how I felt. Without hesitation, she threw her suitcase aside and ran off.Just like that, my much-anticipated trip to Sandpiper Shores fell through.Though Edna apologized afterward, it became an unspoken agreement between us never to mention Sandpiper Shores again.Sure enough, blue seas and clear skies were the best medicine for heartbreak. I stayed in Sandpiper Shores for a week. All memories of

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

At Christmas Eve's dinner table, Mom piled food on my plate and asked, 'Why didn't you bring Edna home with you?"I answered lightly, "We broke up."She froze. "Why? Everything was fine…"I hadn't wanted to dump all that messy, unpleasant drama on them during the holidays, but they wouldn't stop pressing me for answers. Under their relentless questioning, I finally told the whole story about how I had been stood up five times when trying to register our marriage."Good riddance! That's just too much!" Mom snapped and angrily slammed her hand on the table. She was so mad that her hands were shaking."Breaking up is her loss, not ours, so don't be upset, Zack. I'll introduce you to someone better. Your dad knows a few good—"Dad quickly nodded. "Right. Clifton's daughter is a great match. She even has a PhD."I couldn't help but laugh and quickly stop them. "Mom, Dad, I'm going to Lemuria after Christmas, so let's not worry about this stuff anymore."Mom froze at the mention of

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

Edna seemed utterly absorbed in her own world and never heard me at all. She just kept going. "Whether you believe it or not, you're the only man I've ever loved."That day at the mall, Nolan was trying to make you upset on purpose. He and I never dated at all."Was that so? How was she going to explain all the intimate photos Nolan had sent me?I shoved my phone in her face, showing her the screenshots I had saved as evidence. To be honest, I had been waiting for this day."Would you hug your little brother in a camisole nightgown, share a straw with him, or even kiss him?"With the evidence laid out right before her, colors drained from her face. She couldn't utter a single word in defense."Fine. Even if all of that was just an act between you and Nolan to mess with me, what about before that? Is it my fault that we missed the Sandpiper Shores trip? Did I force you to ditch me five times at the city hall?"Stop making excuses for yourself, Edna. Is it that hard to admit you h

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