Chapter 9

After returning from my hometown, the day John marked with a red circle on the calendar drew even closer.

I could clearly feel John’s emotions starting to tighten.

It was a rather strange experience, because after so many years together with him, everything had become so natural.

There was almost no such thing as “nervousness” between us anymore.

He was making such a big deal out of it that it even made me start to feel a little nervous.

I thought I hadn’t guessed wrong, but I was afraid I was being too self-important.

It wasn’t until our tenth anniversary that I received John’s call, and, as promised, arrived at the hotel he had booked in advance.

Friends from faraway places appeared before me with mysterious smiles, placed a delicate veil on my head, and handed me a bouquet of flowers.

My heart finally settled.

I ascended the winding corridor, step by step. At the end of the corridor, John stood in full formal attire, kneeling on one knee, holding up a ring.

Proposing to me.

It had been ages since John and I talked all night; he used to be a staunch bachelor, and even now, he was still a bit of a playboy.

So I wasn’t sure when exactly he started thinking about marrying me.

As for me, I’d never been able to imagine what my reaction would be if I were proposed to.

Because of this, I had never brought up breaking up with John-I just wanted to see if I could wait for this day.

Now, I had waited. And I knew.

No excitement, no joy, and certainly no tears of happiness.

I walked up to John, a gentle smile on my face, and extended my hand to him.

He took my fingertips and slipped the ring onto my finger.

His hands even trembled a little.

Amidst the cheers and blessings of the crowd, we embraced and kissed. I held John quietly, my heart calm as water.

Enough. This should be the end.

The banquet was lively, the spacious private room filled to the brim.

John sat beside me, still radiating the heat of excitement, his hand tightly holding my fingertips, his palm damp with sweat.

Everyone was teasing John, saying that even an ironclad bachelor like him eventually fell for me.

I rested my chin in my hand with a smile, watching John’s brothers come over one by one to toast.

Even Henry came over with a forced smile and drank two glasses.

John was getting a bit drunk.

I raised my hand and pinched his earlobe, asking with a smile, “Why did you suddenly decide to propose to me?”

John, rarely showing dependence on me, rubbed his face against my neck like a puppy: “Because I suddenly really wanted to see what you’d look like in a wedding dress.”

“Oh,” I replied, remembering a chat record I’d seen before-John had once accompanied Ella to a wedding.

So, was that when he got the idea?

His phone, lying on the table, lit up. John instinctively glanced at me.

I simply picked at my food with my chopsticks, appearing indifferent.

He replied to the message in a flash.

I felt that there was really no sense of boundaries between John and me-he had just proposed, and now, right in front of me, he was texting his mistress.

[John, have you made up your mind? If you really marry her, then we’re over!]

[I don’t love her, but I have to be responsible for her, do you understand?]

[I don’t understand. Last night in bed, you clearly said the person you can’t live without is me! You want to be responsible for her, marry her-then what about me? What am I to you?]

[The one I love is you. Isn’t that enough?]

I looked away and picked up another bite with my chopsticks.

John picked up a hot towel to wipe his hands, then started peeling shrimp for me.

I suddenly burst out laughing.

He gazed at me tenderly: “What’s so funny?”

“I just thought of something amusing.” I put down my chopsticks. “I’m going to the restroom.”

John nodded, putting the last peeled shrimp into my bowl: “Then come back quickly.”

I picked up the wine glass in front of me and finished the remaining wine.

John started texting again.

I turned around, and while reaching into my bag for a wet wipe, I slipped the ring off my middle finger.

It really was a beautiful ring, and expensive too.

But, my fate with it lasted only an hour.

My coat was still hanging on the back of the chair, my bag left on the seat.

In my bowl, the peeled shrimp. In the upturned wine glass, the ring I’d worn for an hour.

John, we’ve talked about breaking up so many times-fighting, calmly, in every way.

But John, the one who truly leaves never says goodbye.

I won’t be coming back.