Chapter 11
Just as I had imagined, the proposal was set up at Floyd Wade’s house.
Floyd Wade’s home was filled with little things I had given him, all carefully kept, just like every word I’d ever told him.
The moment Floyd Wade got down on one knee and held out the ring, a genuine, joyful smile spread across my face.
“Floyd, I will.”
After shyly uttering these words, I was swept off my feet by an overjoyed Floyd Wade, who spun me around.
Laughter filled the house, as Floyd Wade kissed me repeatedly, discussing when we’d
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get married and dreaming about our future together.
Then, the phone rang. It was a number I didn’t recognize from the same city.
I didn’t think much of it and answered the call casually.
On the other end was the uncontrollable sobbing of my ex–mother–in–law.
She told me my ex–husband had died.
“How could it be…”
I couldn’t believe it. Was it another fight that got to him?
She said no, it was cancer. It dragged on for a long time with no hope for a cure, and then he was gone.
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Her son didn’t want her to tell me the truth, but she couldn’t bring herself not to. She hoped I could come to the memorial service.
The phone slipped from my hand, leaving me paralyzed, my mind blank.
Cancer? Since when?
Floyd Wade came over, holding my suddenly trembling body, urgently asking, “What happened?”
The tears came before the words. My face turned pale, and I choked on the truth for a long time before finally getting it out.
But all I received was silence from Floyd Wade.
I looked up at him and found his face full of
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pain and sorrow, but not surprise.
In that instant, it dawned on me.
No wonder his character changed so suddenly after years together; no wonder the ex–soldier Floyd Wade could so easily accept my advances.
“You knew? You knew, didn’t you? Floyd, were you and he deceiving me all along?”
My legs went weak, and I collapsed, a ringing in my ears.
Floyd Wade knelt next to me, holding me tightly, speaking many words I could barely hear.
“I’m sorry, Jed only wanted the best for you… We wronged you, I wronged Jed too… But I truly love you…”
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Tears blurred my vision, and the ring on my left hand gleamed. Anger surged within me, and I tore it off, throwing it to the ground.
Floyd Wade grabbed my hand, pleading repeatedly.
“I was wrong, I really was wrong… I truly love you, I wasn’t playing you, you just agreed to marry me, doesn’t it count anymore?”
I felt my heart hollow and numb once again.
Not playing me?
But I had been deceived and kept in the dark, toyed with by everyone.
Should I really go along with my deceased ex–husband’s wishes, accept this confusing love, and choose to be with Floyd Wade?
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I broke away from Floyd Wade’s embrace, stumbling to the window.
I recalled moments with my ex–husband, those sweet memories now feeling like sharp blades cutting me open.
I turned and looked at Floyd Wade.
His face was filled with guilt and pleading.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
“Floyd,” my voice was so calm it surprised even me, “I need some time alone.”
Floyd Wade opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something more, but ultimately fell silent.
He quietly picked up the ring from the floor
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and left the room, leaving me in silence.
In the days that followed, I felt like a ghost, mechanically handling my ex–husband’s funeral arrangements.
In the memorial hall, I looked at his picture -the once gentle and caring man now only able to smile at me from a frame.
I was filled with mixed emotions and didn’t know how to process his departure.
Floyd Wade stayed by my side, but I couldn’t accept his concern as I used to.
Every time I saw him, I was reminded of the days of deception, the pain of betrayal.
I understood my ex–husband’s intentions, but this love was too heavy, too painful.
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I realized I needed time and space to sort through my thoughts.
Eventually, I left a letter for Floyd Wade. I told him I needed to leave, to go somewhere new and start a new life.
I thanked him for his care and love over the years, but I couldn’t accept this relationship built on lies.
I left that city filled with memories and began a journey on my own.
I didn’t know what the future held or whether I’d ever open my heart to love again.
The End.
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