7
“As for the house, it was my grandmother’s inheritance. I didn’t think it was
something worth celebrating. My dad handled most of it, and I just signed
some papers. I didn’t even know the full details until your mom asked if we
could get married without a house. That’s when I remembered the property
here. I told you multiple times that we didn’t need to worry about having a
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house. We’d always have somewhere to live.”
His voice was hoarse as he asked quietly, “I thought you meant renting a place. Were you laughing at me, watching me save so desperately for a house?”
I shook my head. “No. I was touched. I thought you wanted to build a home for us. So, I took on all the financial burdens by myself. I carefully protected your pride. I just didn’t realize that you didn’t deserve it.”
Tears finally spilled from his eyes.
He tried to reach out to me, but I gently brushed him off.
“Ethan, don’t make me lose the last bit of respect I have for you.”
I grabbed Crystal’s hand, and we headed to the hotel. I had a housewarming party to attend, with plenty of friends waiting for us.
That night, just after getting home, the phone rang. It was Ethan. After the breakup, I had blocked him, but he used a different number.
“Megan, please don’t hang up. I need your help.” He sounded desperate.
“Go ahead,” I said.
“My aunt had a heart attack, and she’s at your old hospital. Could you help me get in touch with a specialist?”
I paused.
“And could you help me read these test results?”
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“Ethan, your aunt has a doctor. We’re over. Stop using these excuses to contact me.” I was about to hang up.
“I regret everything. I love you, Megan. I was just caught up in a moment of weakness… It was my cousin buying a house, and all my coworkers have bought places too…”
I stared out the window at the city lights and realized I wasn’t upset anymore. He just wasn’t worth it. “If I were still renting today, and we couldn’t afford to buy a house together, would you have come back?”
There was only silence on the other end. Just as he was about to answer, I
interrupted him.
“Don’t lie, Ethan. We spent seven years together, and while I thought you
were working hard for our future, you swapped me out for someone more
convenient. I understand how hard these past few years have been for you. I
understand your choices, but that doesn’t mean I can forgive you. You got what you wanted. Learn to be satisfied.
い
R
in
Two weeks later, Tiffany’s internship ended. We passed each other at the hospital entrance.
“I broke up with Ethan.”
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I thought for a moment. Neither “congratulations” nor “sorry” seemed
appropriate.
“Whether you believe it or not, I really did fall for him at first sight. But he never cared about me as a person. You’re tougher than me.”
I tightened my coat. “That’s because I was hurt more than you were.”
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The next time I saw Ethan was six months later, at a luxury car dealership.
“Hello, ma’am. What model are you interested in? I’d be happy to help,” the
salesman greeted me warmly.
But Crystal was already pointing to a man in the distance. “I want him to help us.”
I pinched her arm, lowering my voice. “I’m telling you, we’re here to buy a
car, not pick someone up. You’re going to get in trouble with Ryan if I don’t
stop you.”
“Cars are a big investment! Don’t you want someone you like to help you?
I’m just looking, not touching. But look at that guy’s back–he’s handsome,
right?”
I glanced over. “Too skinny. I’m not interested. The guy helping us seems
nice enough.”
By then, the salesman was already calling out, “Ethan, come over here.”
He turned, and there was that same calm, mild–mannered face.
Crystal’s eyes widened. “Is that Ethan? He’s lost so much weight!”
I sighed. I probably wouldn’t have recognized him if he hadn’t slimmed
down.
I quickly reassured the friendly salesman. “It’s okay. My friend was just joking. Please go ahead and show us your latest model.”
I pointed to the car in the center of the showroom.
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The salesman smiled. “Ethan, don’t worry about it. We’ve got it covered.”
Ethan hesitated for a moment when he saw us, but at his colleague’s words, he stepped back.
Crystal, still fuming, muttered through gritted teeth, “Let him serve us.
Make him work for it.”
fo
I rolled my eyes.
“What, are you feeling sorry for him?”
“Hell no. I just don’t want him to get the commission.”
We bought the car without any problems.
On the way back, Crystal explained that after Ethan and Tiffany bought
their place, Ethan’s contribution was so small that only Tiffany’s name was
on the deed. When they broke up, she wanted to sell it fast, but selling quickly meant losing money. Ethan refused, so he took out a loan for $100,000 to pay her off.
Turns out, the money was taken from company funds.
The boss found out but took pity on Ethan’s years of service. He only
asked Ethan to pay it back immediately. Ethan sold the house and quit his job. Even then, he still lost a bit of money. And apparently, while you were on
vacation, his mom was hospitalized for a few days–right in our department.
I felt nothing.
When we went to pick up the car, Ethan followed us outside.
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Tue, Oct 29
Kiss
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ས དཱི 35%£
I lowered the window, giving him a distant look.
He cleared his throat. “That car model’s not the best deal right now.”
Crystal chuckled. “We already bought it. No worries. Megan’s dad just sent her $300,000. She’s rolling in cash.”
Ethan looked at me in disbelief. “But your dad…”
“You’re right. My dad’s a farmer. But he grows ginseng. We had a bad run for a few years, but this year’s harvest was amazing.”
www
Ethan’s lips trembled, but I simply rolled up the window and drove off.
For months after, Ethan showed up at the hospital every morning with a bouquet of roses and breakfast.
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pix
I walked by him without so much as a glance. The security guards made
sure he didn’t cause a scene.
ん
you
I knew him too well. He thought persistence would eventually win me back.
What he never understood was that some things, once broken, can never be
fixed.
い
It wasn’t until six months later, when I walked past him holding a bouquet
of Freud roses, my new boyfriend by my side, that Ethan finally stopped
coming.
That day, as we passed him, my boyfriend leaned over and said, “That apartment of yours is too small. It’s unfair to you, babe. Let’s move to my place. It’s got a big yard–Rocky will love it.”
Yesterday
