Chapter 3

How Michelle and I got together wasn't what my dad described.

It wasn't about me wanting to climb the social ladder while she happened to be a non-assertive rich girl.

We'd been together ten years.

We fell in love during the craziest period when my dad controlled my life.

In our tenth year together, through my own efforts, I bought a condo and a car in the district where her family lived.

I teased her on purpose. "Paid off the condo and car in full, got the wedding gift ready, even bought the diamond ring in your favorite style. How much longer do we need to date before you'll marry me?"

She cupped my face and kissed me, her love consuming.

When we separated, her eyes sparkled as she looked at me.

"This year. Let's get married."

"George, do you still want to marry me?"

I didn't. I should have said I didn't want to earlier.

Michelle, you said now and forever you'd only love me.

I was the one who soothed your past. I was your peaceful present.

I was supposed to be the one walking into marriage with you.

So why, when I was closest to happiness, did you maintain this ambiguous connection with your ex?

My dad clung to me, threatening and persuading by turns.

All to make me reconcile with Michelle.

When all his efforts got no reaction from me, he slammed the door and left in anger.

I locked myself at home. Nobody came looking for me.

I turned off my phone too. Couldn't hear anything.

I lay in bed like a corpse, completely lifeless.

Monday, I went to the office.

The moment my coworkers saw me, they congratulated me.

"The wedding didn't happen. Sorry about that."

My coworker's face showed shock and embarrassment.

"So sudden. Sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"Let me buy you coffee. Sorry..."

I cut off their apologies with a forced smile.

"No need. It's all in the past."

The busy morning helped me temporarily forget those troubles.

I grabbed my mug and headed to the break room, where I found several people huddled together whispering.

"Why didn't George get married?"

"His fiancée's gorgeous and from a great family. Did she look down on him?"

"Don't talk nonsense. His fiancée treated him so well. She made him stomach-soothing soups, different ones every day of the week.

Last time he worked himself into a perforated ulcer and ended up in the hospital, his fiancée never left his side. After he was discharged, she drove him to and from work for a while. She loved him to the bone—you can't just make things up."

"Then what could it be? Don't tell me George was cheating on his fiancée."

"There you go making things up again! We've been coworkers this long—don't you know him? Capable and responsible, easygoing with a good sense of humor, very reliable. That kind of man."

I didn't keep listening. I bought coffee from the vending machine and went back to work.

As soon as I sat down, my dad called again.

I didn't answer, but his messages kept coming.

「How could you block Michelle? Are you a child?」

「Can't you two just sit down and talk things through calmly?」

I looked at these words with detachment.

I didn't know how to respond. I felt completely empty inside.

By the time I snapped out of it, my dad was already in my blocked list too.