Chapter 503 No Future
Ryan furrowed his brows a bit and said, "When our families were talking about the wedding plans, I messed up and made things hard for you. I'm really sorry. I was gonna take her back after buying the dress, but Grace kept crying, and I..."
"It's in the past, doesn't matter," I cut him off calmly. Wasn't it a bit late for Ryan to apologize now?
It felt like someone had stabbed me in the heart and just left the knife there. By the time I figured out how to save myself, he shows up and says, "Sorry, I meant to pull the knife out but forgot."
Not every situation calls for an apology, and not every apology can be forgiven.
I didn't care about Ryan's story with Grace.
I tossed the half-wet towel aside and sat at the vanity to start my nighttime skincare routine.
Knowing Ryan's temper, if I treated him like this, he'd probably get mad, slam the door, and disappear for days or weeks, like he vanished.
I thought it would be the same this time. Ryan would grab his coat, turn around, and leave, slamming the door.
If that happened, I'd get a few peaceful days.
But I was wrong.
Ryan didn't slam the door and leave. Instead, he followed me to the vanity, handed me a flat, rectangular velvet box, and said with a serious tone, "This is a gift for you. See if you like it."
I looked up at him, surprised, and his eyes were actually hopeful.
What was he hoping for? My forgiveness?
Ryan must've bought something fancy and expensive.
I guessed it was probably the new bracelet.
Back then, Ryan had gone shopping with me, and we saw a bracelet in a jewelry store. It was from this brand, simple yet elegant. I loved it at first sight.
I even tried it on but decided not to buy it because the price was crazy.
It wasn't about whether I could afford it; I just thought an accessory didn't need to be that pricey.
I was pretty regretful at the time. It wasn't easy to find something I liked. But I didn't let small stuff bother me too much, and I soon forgot about it.
I didn't expect Ryan to remember.
So, it wasn't that he didn't know what I wanted; he just didn't care and never took it to heart.
Ryan asked, "Aren't you gonna open it?"
I shook my head and said, "I've been really busy lately, and I don't have any occasions to wear a bracelet. Maybe later."
"Amelia, please take a look. If you don't like it, I'll exchange it for you," Ryan said cautiously.
I didn't get it. Ryan clearly had someone he liked and never took me seriously. The only reason I stayed with him for so many years was probably because I made him feel comfortable.
Why was he being so careful with someone he had completely ignored?
This was the first time he had apologized to me, and honestly, it really surprised me.
A wave of pain surged in my heart.
For over five years, almost six, I held the title of his girlfriend but was repeatedly ignored by Ryan. Whenever it involved Grace, he never chose me.
If I had any complaints, he'd counter with accusations of me being unreasonable, petty, not understanding him, or lacking tolerance.
To him, I was always the backup option.
I had argued and fought over this, but it only made him ignore me more and become even more excessive.I was heartbroken time and again, but what could I do? I was the one who insisted on liking Ryan, the one who humbled herself for him, and the one who couldn't bear to leave him.
But the day the wedding plans fell through made me see our relationship in a new light.
In the end, I would have nothing.
The day after the failed wedding discussion, I packed most of my belongings and sent them to my company's dormitory. Then, I was assigned to a distant business trip.
When I left home, I only took a small suitcase with some clothes and didn't even say goodbye.
I wasn't just leaving for a business trip; I was leaving Ryan's world forever.
And I would never see him again.
A true departure was quiet and understated.
I didn't fill the fridge with food, iron the suits Ryan would wear during my trip, or leave sticky notes around the house reminding him of what to do and when.
I didn't even tell Ryan I was in a city far away from him.
He would eventually have to face these things on his own, or he might find someone more meticulous to take better care of him.
I left quietly and returned quietly, without disturbing or informing him.
I was trying to live without him.
Seeing that I neither opened the gift nor showed any warmth or coldness towards him, Ryan panicked and called my name pitifully. "Amelia."
I didn't understand. I was the one left behind at the wedding discussion banquet, and Ryan was the one who brought home the used condom wrapper. Why was he the one feeling wronged?
I had my doubts but couldn't be bothered to talk to him.
From then on, Ryan's matters had nothing to do with me.
I said, "I've had a long day, and I'm really tired. I'm going to the bathroom and then to bed."
I carefully closed the bathroom door, shutting Ryan out. Leaning against the cold wall, I let out a sigh of relief.
I couldn't understand what was going on with Ryan. He had always disregarded me and never remembered to give me a gift, no matter how much I reminded him. Why would he suddenly give me such an expensive gift?
Atonement? Apology?
It didn't matter. We were going to separate anyway.
I smiled wryly, recalling Ryan's coldness over the years, especially on the day we discussed the wedding plans. He left without hesitation, leaving me to face everything alone.
I was so happy that day, and I spent a long time doing my makeup, choosing my outfit, and carefully arranging the venue, the exquisite food, and the cake, all of which he let down.
Back then, my dad smoked silently, my mom shook her head in disappointment, and I watched them support each other as they left, tears streaming down my face.
I had been so looking forward to that wedding discussion banquet, so eager to marry the man I had loved for so many years.
But Grace ruined everything.
Ryan, the moment you chose to leave the wedding-planning banquet while holding Grace's hand, our future was lost.
I had been on a business trip for over ten days, busy as hell during the day, and I had trouble sleeping in unfamiliar beds at night, leaving me utterly exhausted.
I really wanted a good night's sleep.
I pushed Grace, Ryan, the wedding discussion, and hopeless love out of my mind and just wanted a peaceful night's sleep.
We lived in a standard two-bedroom apartment, with the master and guest bedrooms sharing a bathroom. To get from the bathroom to the bedroom, I had to pass through the living room.
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