All Chapters of I'm Not the Man Her Fireworks Honor: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

Christian's POVSheila Lindell, my fiancee, looked serious as she unfolded the countertop dishwasher brochure. "It's the latest model. It's really advanced, too, so you can leave the dishwashing to it in the future. You don't have to tire yourself out with the chores, Christian."I looked at the price written on it—4,700 dollars was by no means cheap. If it had been before, I probably would have convinced myself that Sheila did love me, even if her love always came with a practical approach.I had just watched the grand fireworks display that night, with the golden rays stretching from the sea to the horizon. It was like a fire that wouldn't burn out, though that fire was never meant to warm me.I asked softly, "Did you put together tonight's fireworks show?"Sheila stopped what she was doing for a second before replying nonchalantly, "Yep. Jeremy just returned from abroad. I promised I'd set off a fireworks show for him every year."I felt my heart sink when I heard that. I had

Chapter 2

Sheila and I went to a university reunion the following day. I didn't expect Jeremy to be there as well. He sat next to Sheila, dressed in a light-colored suit.It was then that someone burst out laughing and teased, "You're actually here, too, Jeremy? You and Sheila were the ultimate campus duo back in the day—one was a pyrotechnician prodigy, and the other was a visual arts icon! You know, everyone assumed you two would end up together after graduation!"I reached the doorway, my steps faltering for a moment. Jeremy was two years my senior. He was already well-known in our university back then. He was good-looking and outstanding, and his work was always placed in the most prominent positions in the exhibition hall.I first heard about Sheila because of him, too, with many people saying that they were a match made in heaven.I even secretly thought that maybe fate was finally on my side for once when Sheila started pursuing me, but now, Jeremy was sitting next to her.Those teas

Chapter 3

I had gone over our first meeting countless times. Sheila stopped me as I walked by with a stack of books and asked with a smile, "Can we get to know each other?"Sheila was bathed in the sunlight at that moment, making her look like someone who had walked straight out of a dream.I thought fate was finally favoring me back then, but now I realized that my seven years were nothing more than a complete joke.Someone asked, "Do you regret it, then, Sheila?"Those in the private room instantly fell silent.I held my breath. I was still anticipating Sheila's answer, even though it had come to this. I was waiting for her to say she didn't regret it and that she really had fallen for me in the end.Sheila remained silent for a long time, so long that my palms were gradually covered in cold sweat. She never answered that question.I actually hoped she would lie to me just once at that moment, even if it were just to fool me. Sheila remained silent throughout, though. I realized then th

Chapter 4

It was already night when I came out of the hospital. I walked home with my prescription in hand.I had just pushed open the door when I heard Jeremy's laughter coming from the living room. He was wearing the white suit meant for my wedding and standing in front of the full-length mirror. Sheila was standing behind him, looking up as she adjusted his collar.I had chosen that suit after trying five different boutiques. I had sent a photo to Sheila before and asked if she thought it looked good. She took a really long time to respond to me, replying indifferently, "It's alright." Yet, at this moment, Sheila was actually momentarily stunned while looking at Jeremy dressed in that suit.Jeremy caught my reflection in the mirror and quickly undid his cufflinks. "It's not what you think, Christian. You see, the boutique just dropped off the suit today, and since you looked unwell today, I thought I'd test the fit for you."I stood at the entrance, tightly holding the bag of medicine i

Chapter 5

It was 2:00 am when I was awoken by the sharp pain in my right hand. I sat up with the support of the bed, my vision repeatedly blacking out.I noticed that Sheila wasn't home. I hesitated briefly before I called her number. It took a long time before she answered. I could hear Jeremy quietly calling her in the background as she asked in a hurry, "What's the matter, Christian?"I leaned back against the headboard, hardly able to breathe from the pain. "My hand won't stop hurting, and my fingers have gone numb, Sheila…"Sheila fell silent for a moment before Jeremy called out to her softly again. She immediately said, "You should take a cab to the hospital yourself first, Christian. Jeremy got his hand burned by the fireworks sparks, so I can't leave at the moment."I slowly tightened my fist. It turned out that a tiny burn on Jeremy's hand meant more than my hand being practically ruined. I asked softly, "What if my hand is actually ruined for good, Sheila?"Sheila let out a frust

Chapter 6

Sheila stared at the diagnosis, completely frozen on the spot. She understood the meaning of those words individually, but seeing them together felt like a dull blade digging into her chest.She held onto the medical report, her hands trembling violently. She finally snapped out of it after a long while. She hurriedly grabbed her phone and called Christian's number. She failed to call him on the first and second try, and on the third attempt, she only received an automated voice from the other end. "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable."Sheila's face gradually lost its color. She suddenly remembered Christian's trembling voice over the phone last night. "My hand won't stop hurting, and my fingers have gone numb, Sheila..."She even recalled her response back then. "You should take a cab to the hospital yourself first, Christian. Jeremy got his hand burned by the fireworks sparks, so I can't leave at the moment. Just be sensible for once, Christian."Sheila's breat

Chapter 7

Sheila suddenly recalled an incident from a long time ago. She remembered that during the lab accident, Christian was the first to notice the sparks hitting the fuse line. He had just secured an overseas cardiac surgery fellowship. His right hand was severely burned and left covered in blood when he pushed her out of harm's way. He spent the next six months recovering from the injury, and since his hand never recovered fully, the overseas fellowship he was slated for ended up getting canceled. Christian's mentor even sighed deeply back then. "It's such a shame that your hand ended up like this, Christian."Sheila even looked at Christian with bloodshot eyes back then, promising, "I'll take care of you from now on, Christian. I'll be the one to make up for what your hand can't do."Christian said with a smile, "You can just put on a fireworks show for me in the future, Sheila."Sheila had promised Christian so earnestly back then, but over time, she turned into a highly celebrate

Chapter 8

Sheila finally began to doubt herself, wondering if the first love she held close all those years was still the bright, pure Jeremy of the past, or if she had just gotten attached to the idea of chasing after that unattainable first love.She had forgotten to look back at the one who had truly stayed with her for seven years. Christian had stood behind her all along, waiting until he was left covered in wounds.…Christian's POVIt happened to be raining on the day I landed. It wasn't heavy, just a light drizzle falling against the window. I sat at the back of the cab, looking at the unfamiliar streets outside the window. Sheila's messages kept popping up on my phone one by one. "I went to the hospital and found out from the doctor that your hand is severely injured, Christian."I'm so sorry. I had no idea you were in so much pain. I was the one at fault for what happened to your right hand. I truly realize my mistake now, Christian."I glanced at it and turned off the screen.

Chapter 9

I stepped around Sheila and made my way upstairs after saying that.Sheila didn't come after me. She just knelt on the ground, repeatedly calling my name. "Christian! Please just turn around and look at me, Christian!"I never bothered turning around.I later heard from a friend that Jeremy wasn't having an easy time. Those around him vanished just as quickly when Sheila stopped caring about him. He was used to being admired and put on a pedestal and used to someone else picking up the tab. He finally realized the truth once Sheila withdrew. He had never been the source of his own glow—he had only been borrowing Sheila's.He began frequently appearing at drinking parties. He cycled through several wealthy partners—one bought him an expensive watch, while another took him to art exhibitions.Those people weren't Sheila, though. They didn't remember his preference for gold tail effects in fireworks. They wouldn't panic just because the back of his hand was slightly injured. He o

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