บททั้งหมดของ The Choke Point: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

There was an unmistakable note of conciliation in Jillian's slow, measured voice. "Don't be upset. I just got so worked up at the time that I said some harsh things. Don't worry. The wedding's still on."The wedding that should have taken place a year ago had been postponed over and over again. She had strung me along like a fool, turning me into the butt of the joke among our family and friends.When she saw that I said nothing, she assumed that I had forgiven her unconditionally just like I always had. So, she reached out to touch me. However, the scent of cedar filled my nose the instant she drew close.It was Charles' scent.The image of the two of them wrapped around each other that day flashed through my mind, and a wave of nausea surged up my throat. I immediately shoved her away and rushed into the bathroom.Jillian stumbled back several steps. Her face darkened as she glared at the bathroom. Then, she curled her lips into a sneer, slammed the door behind her, and left.

"Why did you cancel the wedding attire order? Didn't you like that set?"A strange feeling stirred in my chest.Jillian had never once cared about any of the planning or the details for the two whole years between our engagement ceremony and our constantly postponed wedding. So, why was she suddenly concerned about my wedding suit?"It was ugly," I answered casually. "I didn't want it anymore.""What's with your terrible taste? That suit was last year's haute couture from Gaul." Her familiar arrogance and sharp tongue surfaced once again as she looked down on me. "Throwing a tantrum is one thing, Josh, but don't take it so far that you end up embarrassing yourself."I couldn't help but stare at her dazedly for a second as I wondered just how spineless I was for the past five years. I couldn't help but wonder how I'd managed to feed that ridiculous confidence of hers so much that she was now convinced that I'd never leave her. Perhaps the incredulity on my face was too obvious be

The bitter winter cold seeped into everything, even my very bones. I pulled my collar tighter around my neck, ignored the voice on the phone, powered it off, and boarded the flight back to my hometown.…The plane bringing me home landed three hours later.Unlike the other passengers who were greeted by their family, no one came to pick me up.My mother had passed away years ago, and my father had raised me on his own. The weather was freezing cold today, so I couldn't bear the thought of making him come all the way to the airport just to pick me up. Instead, I hailed a cab and headed straight home.The moment my father opened the door, I saw the weary lines that seemed to be permanently etched on his face. That did it for me as my tears spilled over.He was clearly shocked to see me standing at his doorstep as I hadn't told him I'd be back, but it didn't take him long to realize something had gone wrong. Still, he didn't press for answers. Rather, he simply carried my luggage

"Are you really not going to talk to me?" Jillian demanded.Her gaze fell to my lips, making my heart lurch against my ribs. When she leaned closer, I instinctively recoiled in disgust and shoved her away.Jillian stumbled and fell to the ground, caught completely off guard.I sneered. "Have you come to your senses yet? Showing up at my house in the middle of the night and making a scene doesn't make you look devoted. It makes you look like an idiotic stalker."Her lips parted slightly. She stared at me with stubborn determination, her eyes shimmering with tears. "You're finally talking to me…" she whispered brokenly. "Have you calmed down? If you haven't, then hit me again."Before I could react, she grabbed my hand and tried to slap herself with it.I was thoroughly disgusted by her. She was practically a rabid dog at this point. I detested how she'd forced me to do things the way she wanted to back when we were dating, and now that we weren't? Well, I'd had enough. So, I yan

As it turned out, it truly was the little things that really showed you whether the love was still there."Jillian, I'll say this one last time," I began evenly. "There's no us, not anymore. Live your life however you want. It has nothing to do with me anymore. If this isn't clear enough, I don't care about you."Once I said my piece, I glanced down at my vibrating phone. My coworkers had sent several messages asking where I was.I spun on my heel and strode away, refusing to spare Jillian another glance.This time, she didn't try to stop me. Instead, she hurried after me, her emotions finally spilling over."Josh!" she cried, her voice breaking into bitter sobs. "How can you be so heartless? How could you throw our relationship of five years away just like that? I've been waiting for you for months. "I didn't want you to hate me, so I didn't dare call you or visit you. But what did you do in return?"Her voice grew louder and louder, drawing the attention of tourists nearby. T