All Chapters of Where Love Is More Desolate Than Life: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

That photo of my fiancee, Izzy Williams, and I had been taken at a photography studio a week ago.On that day, Conrad Newman, my best friend, kept fussing over the collar of my suit jacket while talking my ear off. As I stared into the mirror, I noticed how his smile looked even brighter than mine. It was as if he were the groom who was about to get married instead."You look so handsome like this, Jamie. But of course, that's only to be expected from my best buddy," he declared before his voice started sounding a little choked up. "That rotten Izzy is the luckiest woman alive."Izzy was sitting nearby, adjusting her veil. When she heard her name, she looked up and flashed us a pleasant smile. But for some reason, her smile looked a little strained to me."You're exaggerating," I said as I pulled Conrad's hand away. "I would've been fine with any random suit, but you insisted on taking me suit shopping.""There's no way I could let you do that!" Conrad's eyes widened comically. "M

Chapter 2

I had stumbled upon this social media account purely by accident.At the time, I was just scrolling on my phone when the app recommended the account to me. The profile picture was of a cartoon character that I really liked. Curiosity got the better of me, and I tapped on it.The account had just over three thousand followers, and the last post had been from three days ago.It was a photo of a desk late at night, with a caption that read, "Hard to work late till midnight. She said she'd starve with me, but she ended up ordering takeout for both of us. What a silly woman."I instinctively started scrolling down."She said that I've been eating too little lately and insisted on giving me some of her beef. I said I don't like beef, and she laughed, calling me a picky child who never grew up."We went up the hill to see the stars together. She told me she sorely wished time could freeze at that moment. To be honest, I felt the same."I caught a cold, so she skipped out of work to tak

Chapter 3

I stumbled into the bathroom and repeatedly splashed cold water on my face, but I couldn't calm myself down.It was my wedding day tomorrow. The invitations had been sent, the hotel had been booked, and my wedding suit was hanging in the closet. Everything was ready.My hands trembled as I tried to call Izzy. I called three times. All three went unanswered.I froze up for some time. Something made me decide to call Conrad.Again, the line was busy.My heart sank.I couldn't wrap my head around this. Did they ever feel the slightest hint of guilt toward me when they were busy fooling around behind my back? Or were they completely swept up in the thrill and the excitement of an affair?I knew Conrad was a social media influencer who did travel content. He was always filming wherever he went and could be found on every social media platform. I also knew that content creators often had countless alternate accounts.Using the hotel's location as my search tag, I looked through all t

Chapter 4

On Conrad's birthday, I'd given him the limited-edition watch he'd been eyeing for ages.The very next day, he put it on and had a chance encounter with Izzy. And when he took a selfie of himself at the cafe, he "accidentally" included her in the frame.He also took a photo of the two of them secretly holding hands when the three of us went to watch a movie together.On the day Izzy agreed to marry me, Conrad posted a long outpouring of his anguish and frustration."I'm going to get an answer today," he wrote. "If she loves me too, we shouldn't miss out on our chance to be together."Well, he did it.That very night, Izzy didn't push him away when he kissed her.They planned to take a trip together before the wedding, to indulge in all their fantasies without a care in the world. Thus, Izzy told me she had to go on a week-long business trip.My stomach churned at this revelation. Their so-called claims about having to work overtime and attending company gatherings were just exc

Chapter 5

All was silent on the other end of the call. I could imagine the looks on Conrad's and Izzy's faces right now—the panic, the anxiety, the helplessness, and maybe the mortification at having been exposed."Jamie, let me explain…" Izzy cried out anxiously.I ended the call and turned off my phone. Outside the window, the sky had turned bright.Tomorrow should've been the happiest day of my life. Instead, I got up, went back to the apartment, and started packing my things.There were two toothbrushes in the bathroom. A set of matching mugs sat on the coffee table in the living room, and my ties and her dresses both hung in the closet. Every detail stabbed me in the heart like a needle.I booked the earliest flight to Baydorf, where the company I worked for had just opened a new branch. Donald Henderson, my manager, had asked me whether I'd be willing to help the company break into the new city's market. At the time, I declined because of my wedding preparations.But now, it was the

Chapter 6

During my second week in Baydorf, I officially took over the company's latest project. Work kept me even busier than I'd anticipated. I had to work late almost every night.But this was good for me. I had no time to dwell on the other messier parts of my life.At last, Izzy flew over to Baydorf. She waited for me outside my office building. With her disheveled hair and heavy undereye circles, she had none of her usual polished elegance."Let's talk, Jamie," she said in a hoarse voice as she grabbed my hand.I pulled away from her before saying, "This isn't a convenient place for us to talk. We can do it at my place."I brought her back to my rented apartment. As soon as we entered, she began pleading with me."I know I made a mistake, Jamie," she said as she clutched the hem of my shirt like an errant child. "I had a bit too much to drink that night, and Conrad… We only did it that one time.""One time?" I repeated softly. "Do you take me for a fool, Izzy?"I pulled out my phon

Chapter 7

After Izzy left, my life settled back down into a peaceful routine. Work was progressing smoothly, and I was slowly adapting to my new life in Baydorf. I would think about the past sometimes, but it no longer hurt me. I simply felt numb about it.Conrad never got in touch with me, which I'd predicted. There was no way a proud man like him would bow his head and admit that it was his fault.One day, I got a call from a number I didn't recognize. A serious voice said to me, "Is this Mr. Jamie Lester speaking? This is the Baydorf Police Department."My heart clenched. "Speaking. What's this about?""Ms. Izzy Williams has been embroiled in a case of assault. She's currently in the hospital and has specifically requested to see you."I froze. Assault? Izzy?Although I no longer had any feelings for her, out of basic decency, I went to the hospital anyway.In the hospital room, Izzy was lying in bed with her head bandaged and her left arm in a cast. She looked quite miserable."Jamie

Chapter 8

I posted all the evidence online. Everything from my engagement photos with Izzy, our graduation photos, and photos of the three of us together was arranged in chronological order.The truth was plain as day, and public opinion flipped at once.Conrad went from being celebrated as a fearless champion of a tragic love story to being universally condemned for being the third party in a relationship.He lost his brand endorsements and sponsorship deals. Every business that had a contract with him immediately terminated it. Izzy also got fired from her company for questionable personal conduct.I heard that life had gotten pretty hard for the two of them, but that was none of my business now.I was doing splendidly at my job in Baydorf. The new project turned out to be pretty successful, so the company gave me a promotion and a raise.I started learning new skills and making new friends. My life was filled with novel experiences.Sometimes, the past drifted into my mind, but it no l

Chapter 9

After the New Year, I officially took on a management role at the Baydorf office. The work was busy but fulfilling.Amber proved to be an excellent colleague. She was professional and diligent at work, but she always injected humor into the mundane. We worked together very well.Sometimes, we would go out for meals together, discussing both work and our personal lives. She never asked me about my past, and I rarely mentioned it.We maintained a cozy level of distance between us, one that made me feel quite comfortable.One day in March, I got a call from Izzy. It was the first time she'd contacted me in over six months."I'm getting married, Jamie," she said.After a brief pause, I said, "Congratulations.""I'm marrying Conrad.""I see."She was silent for a moment before asking with an almost imperceptible flicker of hope in her voice, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"I gave it some thought before replying, "I hope that you two will be happy together."I genuinely me

Chapter 10

As summer approached, I bought a place of my own in Baydorf. It wasn't very big, but it was very warm and homey. It was furnished entirely to my liking in a simple yet comfortable manner.On moving day, Amber came to help. She gave me a painting of the city of Baydorf at night."Congratulations on embarking on your new life," she said.I took the painting with a smile. "Thank you."We cooked together, ate together, and chatted the day away. There was a cozy familiarity between us, as if we were old friends."You know, when I first came to Baydorf, I felt very lost," I said. "I didn't know what the future had in store for me.""And now?" Amber asked."Everything feels great now."Smiling faintly, she said, "That's good to hear."After dinner, we sat on the balcony, looking at the stars. The sky was clear and the stars unusually bright."Jamie," Amber called out softly. "I know what you've been through."I turned to look at her. Her eyes looked exceptionally tender under the s

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