Chapter 3

The story between Marcus and me wasn't what outsiders saw—him chasing novelty, me chasing money.

We'd been together for eight years.

We got together back in high school when the school was cracking down hard on teen dating.

When we celebrated our eighth anniversary, I couldn't help asking him while cutting the cake if there'd be another anniversary to celebrate.

He smiled and pinched my nose, pulling out a diamond ring and slipping it on my ring finger.

"Next time we'll celebrate our first wedding anniversary together."

"Sophie, will you marry me?"

No. I regret it. I should have refused then.

Marcus, you said you'd love me forever.

You said I was your first love, your first kiss, and I'd be everything for the rest of your life.

Then who is she to you?

My mom made a huge scene at my place, trying to get me to reconcile with Marcus.

But when she found I was completely unmoved, she eventually cursed at me a few times and left.

I stayed home for two days with my phone off, refusing to look at any messages about him.

Trying to patch up my heart that was riddled with holes.

On Monday, I pulled myself together and went to work as usual.

As soon as my coworkers saw me, they congratulated me and asked for wedding candy.

"Sorry, my engagement is cancelled. I'll bring you some another time."

My coworker's smile froze on her face.

"Oh, that's okay."

"Um... are you alright?"

I nodded and smiled:

"I'm fine. Really good."

With that, I opened my computer and started working.

During lunch break, I overheard several coworkers chatting together in the hallway.

"Why did Sophie suddenly call off her engagement?"

"Her boyfriend is so handsome and rich. Did he dump her?"

"Don't talk nonsense. I've met her boyfriend. Last time when it was snowing and the roads were so slippery, her boyfriend came to pick her up in a Porsche.

When he saw Sophie wearing high heels, he got out of the car and just picked her up. They seemed so in love—how could they just break up like that?"

"Then what else could it be? Did Sophie cheat?"

"I told you not to spread rumors. We've worked with Sophie for so long—don't you know what kind of person she is? Sharp tongue but soft heart. She's a really good person."

I didn't keep listening.

I turned back to my workstation to continue working. Two messages popped up on my phone screen.

My mom was nagging at me again.

[I heard from Marcus that you blocked him?]

[You're too old for this kind of behavior. Hurry up and add him back. Apologize. Talk through whatever misunderstanding you have.]

I stared at her messages in a daze.

My heart was completely calm. Coming back to my senses, I clicked on my mom's profile and put both her and Marcus on my blocklist together.

After work, it started drizzling.

I opened a rideshare app. It showed 120 people in the queue.

I stood in front of the building, waving goodbye to my coworkers one by one until I was the only one left.

I suddenly thought of Marcus.

All these years, whether it was windy or rainy, he always came to pick me up.

Because I depended on him, I'd stopped even carrying an umbrella.

Habits really are a terrible thing.

Holding my bag over my head, I took a breath and rushed into the rain.

I'd barely run a few steps when someone grabbed me and pulled me under an umbrella.

The moment I looked up, I met Marcus's eyes.

"Sophie, I came to take you home—"

"Get lost!"

I pushed away his hand and ran toward the bus stop without looking back.

But Marcus persisted.

He kept following behind me, desperately holding the umbrella over my head.

"Sophie, be good. What if you get sick from the rain?"

"Even if I die, it has nothing to do with you!"

I turned around and couldn't help hitting him several times with my bag:

"Can't you understand human language! I don't want to see you anymore! Every word you say to me makes me sick!"

"Stop bothering me! We have nothing to do with each other anymore!"

"Get lost! Just get lost!"

My hysterical appearance in the rain made me look like a madwoman.

Turns out losing control of your emotions really does happen in an instant.

I'd had a pretty good day up until then.

The weekly meeting went smoothly, my boss praised me, and I'd even treated everyone to coffee.

But the moment I saw Marcus, he so easily shattered all my strength.

Marcus seemed nailed to the spot. He stood motionless, letting me hit him until it hurt.

My bag fell to the ground. He bent down to pick it up and placed it in my hands.

His lips moved like he had something to say, but ultimately it was all swallowed by the rain.

I flagged down a taxi and got in without looking back.

In the rearview mirror, Marcus's figure grew farther and farther away.

Finally, I couldn't see anything clearly anymore.

After getting home, I took a hot bath.

While I was in the kitchen making soup, I received a call from an unknown number.

"You dare block me! Marcus just got in a car accident, do you know that?!"

"Los Angeles Hospital, get over here now! Any later and you won't even see him one last time!"