Chapter 23
Eugene didn’t understand why I’d asked him that. I continued, “Why didn’t you ever buy me anything for my birthday if you really loved me? Why didn’t you ever want to travel with me? Why did you let another woman have your child? Why did you have a pre–wedding shoot with her?
“My heart beats just like every other, and I’m not immune to being hurt. If this is what your love is like, then I’m sorry. It’s not something I can handle.” With every word I said, Eugene’s face grew paler. Memories of our time together flooded his mind. He wanted to refute me, but found that everything he could remember of us was as I’d said.
All the things I’d mentioned were things he’d done–he had no way of refuting them.
In the end, all he could do was harp on about Cassandra. “I was only nice to Cassandra because I mistook her for you. If I’d known you were the one who’d saved me, I would never have-”
“I’ve heard enough!” I cut him off. Did Eugene still think that Cassandra was the one who’d caused the main problems between us?
It seemed he’d failed to realize what the issue was despite having two years to think about it.
I said, “Even if Cassandra hadn’t shown up, there would’ve been other women. And if she really were your savior, why did you have to choose to give her everything you had to repay her? There were so many other ways for you to thank her!
“You’re just refusing to let go of me now because I chased after you for 20 years. You’re just indignant that I’ve now left you. Look–stop bothering me. Let’s just end this before things get nasty.”
With that, I told him to leave.
Eugene returned to his apartment, feeling distraught. Was it just indignation? He didn’t know.
He suddenly remembered the day he and Nerissa had gotten together. She’d blushed when he’d agreed to date her, and she’d even asked whether he was doing it because he’d lost in a game of truth or dare.
Her embarrassment had turned to joy once she was sure that he wasn’t pulling her leg, yet she’d tried to keep it from him. She’d waited until his back was turned to secretly pump her fist in celebration.
After that, they’d dated for five years. Throughout that time, he’d clearly seen how well she treated him, and it had never occurred to him to break up with her. He’d also genuinely wanted to spend the rest of his life with her when accepting her proposal.
Yet it was only on that day, after Nerissa had made everything clear, that Eugene realized he’d never once expressed his feelings to her. He’d never made the first move.
During their time together, she’d stuck it out without knowing how he truly felt for her. Later, he’d even given another woman all his attention and tenderness. He’d ignored Nerissa’s anguish and torment.
How could he now ask for her forgiveness?
I felt much better after making things clear to Eugene. That night, I slept soundly.
The following day, I woke up early so I could head to the jeweler’s to pick up the ring and jewelry Ezra and I had ordered. We only had two months off, and we wanted to spend one month traveling the world as our honeymoon. So, we had to rush to prepare for the wedding.
Fortunately, both our parents gave us their full support. All we needed to do was prepare my wedding dress, our rings, and show up on the big day.
Since Ezra and I had already finalized the ring designs, I only needed to pick them up before leaving. After leaving the jeweler’s, I admired the rings and jewelry while walking on the street. I even held them up, wanting to admire them under the sun.
I couldn’t help imagining myself wearing them, thinking that I would definitely look good. I was so engrossed that I didn’t notice two men straightening up when they saw me. They secretly started following me.
As I turned a corner, a figure suddenly shot out and snatched my bag, running off with it.
I instinctively wanted to go after him, but that was when I heard the sound of a blade plunging into flesh.
