C09
The moment my dad finished speaking, nearby diners erupted in applause. Some even chimed in, hurling insults at Darryl and Courtney. Their shamelessness didn’t sit well with anyone and Courtney, unable to handle the humiliation, dragged a stunned Darryl out of the restaurant in a hurry.
I had anticipated Darryl might try to contact me, but I didn’t expect him to act so quickly.
The very next day after the incident, I received a call from him. Since I had already blocked his number, he resorted to using an unfamiliar one.
“June, I need to talk to you. Can we meet?”
“No, I don’t want to see you.”
“June, please, I’m begging you.”
“Beg all you want, it won’t change my answer. I you have anything in mind you better spit it out now, or I’ll hang up. I don’t have time to waste on you.”
I didn’t even want to entertain the call, but I knew if I didn’t listen, he’d keep finding ways to bother me.
Hearing my resolute tone, Darryl panicked. “Alright, alright, I’ll talk! Just don’t hang up!”
“June, I swear, you’re the one I’ve always loved. Courtney was just a means to an end. I was only with her to leverage her father’s connections, to create better opportunities for myself and make more money. My plan was to marry her, stay together for a couple of years and then divorce her once my career stabilized so I could come back to you. I did all of this for our future!”
“And honestly, if you hadn’t hidden the truth about your family’s situation, I wouldn’t have made such a choice. So, in a way, we’re both at fault here. Let’s just let bygones be bygones and start over, okay?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, incredulous at his audacity. How could someone be so shameless? Not only was trying to shift blame onto me, but he actually thought this ridiculous excuse would win me back.
—
“Really? Well, you should’ve told me,” I make whiny tone. “But, here’s the thing,” My tone shifted to cold, “I don’t love you anymore. So instead of bothering me nonstop, why don’t you just focus on making things work with Courtney and leave me alone? Don’t call me again.”
“No, I don’t believe it! It’s only been a few days–there’s no way you’ve stopped loving me. June, please, just give me another chance.”
“Let me tell you something, Darryl. A broken heart happens in an instant. It only took a moment for me to see you
D
The Proposal I Didn’t Get, and the Wealth He Never Saw Coming
for who you really are, but every single thing you’ve done is unforgivable. And let’s be honest–you’re only coming back now because you found out about my dad’s wealth and realized what you missed out on. If my dad really were just some poor man selling buns, would you still be here begging? I don’t think so. Your so–called regret means nothing to me. All I feel for you now is disgust.”
There was silence on the other end of the line. I took the opportunity to hang up and block the number.
Tossing my phone aside, I climbed back into bed, hoping to pick up where my dream had been interrupted. Surprisingly, I wasn’t even upset anymore. Maybe I’d finally reached the point where I was completely over him. Sleep quickly reclaimed me.
I thought I’d made myself clear and that Darryl wouldn’t bother me again.
But just two days later, I received a text from him.
“June, I’m outside your house. I want to see you. I won’t leave until you come out.”
My first instinct was to assume he was bluffing. After all, I lived in my parents‘ hilltop villa, a place I had never shared with anyone except my closest friends. There was no way he’d know where I lived.
But just to be sure, I stepped out onto the balcony. To my disbelief, there he was, standing at the gate like some tragic romantic hero.
I had no choice but to go down and deal with him.
“How do you know where I lived?” I asked, arms crossed, trying to mask my annoyance.
“I’ve been trying to reach you, but you keep ignoring me. I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I waited for your dad after work and followed him home. This is my first time seeing such a luxurious villa. Why didn’t you ever bring me here before? Did you never see me as someone you could spend your life with?”
His tone was full of envy as his eyes darted around, taking in every detail of the property.
Looking at him now, his shallow greed written all over his face, I decided it was time to put an end to his delusions once and for all.
