23 Chapter 23
I instinctively gave chase, only to feel a sharp pain as a knife plunged into my back. 1
After clearing the air with Albert, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted. I slept soundly that night.
What right did he have now to ask for her forgiveness?
With every question, the color drained from Albert’s face.
Memories flooded his mind, each one a stark confirmation of my words.
Albert returned to his apartment in a daze. Was it really just about his pride?
“Albert, when was the last time we were intimate? Can you even remember? When you looked at me, was there ever, for even a single second, a flicker of actual desire in your eyes? Stop deluding yourself.”
The next morning, I went to pick up the rings and jewelry we had ordered. Since we had a two-month vacation, we planned a month-long round-the-world honeymoon after the wedding. That meant the wedding date was set rather hastily.
But today, her words made him realize that in five years, he had never taken the initiative, never expressed his love. She alone had sustained their relationship for five
years.
It seemed that even after two years, he still didn’t understand the real issue.
When Albert had asked her to be his girlfriend, Sherry’s face had turned as red as an apple.
Later, he had even poured his affection onto another woman, completely ignoring her pain and suffering.
He wanted to argue, but he was left speechless. Finally, he could only stammer about
Krista.
I pressed on.
“If you liked me, Albert, then why did you never once get me a birthday present? Why did you never want to travel with me? Why did you get another woman pregnant and
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even fake-marry her?”
He didn’t know. But his mind drifted back to the day he and Sherry got together.
She had stammered, asking if he’d lost a game of truth or dare.
Marcus and I had already chosen the ring styles, so picking them up was quick.
“I was good to Krista only because I thought she was you. If I had known it was you, I wouldn’t have…”
“Even if there was no Krista, there would have been someone else,” I said, my voice cold. “And even if she really was your mother’s savior, there are a thousand ways to repay a debt. Why did it have to be you, personally?”
“You can’t let go simply because I chased you for over a decade. You’re just upset that I left,” I concluded. “Don’t come looking for me again. We’re done here.”
After saying my piece, I showed him the door.
At a corner, a shadow suddenly lunged out, snatched the bag from my hand, and ran.
It wasn’t until she had confirmed it several times that a happy smile broke out on her face, which she quickly tried to hide, flashing a secret victory sign when she thought he wasn’t looking.
“Enough!” I cut him off. Did he really think Krista was the biggest problem between us?
Albert didn’t understand why I was asking that question.
From then on, they were together for five years. In those five years, he had felt Sherry’s love. He had never once thought about breaking up with her. When he accepted her proposal, he genuinely wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
Thankfully, both our parents were fully supportive, so all we needed to do was prepare our attire and rings and show up on the day.
I walked down the street, admiring the ring and bracelet in my hand, holding them up to the sunlight, thinking how beautiful they would look on me, when I noticed two men exchange a look and start walking towards me in the parking lot.
