Chapter 8
Jerome gently tapped my forehead, his voice playful yet complaining.
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity in his gesture.
“Jerome, I’m sorry,” I said sincerely.
But he stared into my eyes and said seriously, “Still calling me Jerome? Didn’t we get married today?
“So what should you call me now?”
My face immediately turned bright red. He hugged me tightly, laughing heartily, and stopped teasing me.
Living with Jerome has been pure joy. He didn’t play with my emotions or leave me guessing. It was only then that I realized what a healthy relationship really felt like.
But Arnold hadn’t given up.
I thought I had made things clear that day.
Yet, he caught up with me on my way to work.
To my surprise, in just a few days, Arnold had changed completely. His face looked haggard, and his once neatly groomed appearance was now a mess, his beard unkempt. In my memory, he was always so put together, but now he looked a wreck.
“Sara, I know everything,” he said, his voice full of frustration. “I know you married Jerome, but you only just met him. You couldn’t possibly love him. You’re just trying to make me jealous, aren’t you?”
He held a bouquet of red roses, looking at me with hopeful eyes, waiting for me to admit it.
I didn’t take the flowers. Instead, I calmly replied,
“My husband and I are fine. I don’t feel anything for you anymore. Please, just leave me alone.”
Arnold tightened his grip on the roses, bitterness creeping into his voice. “I don’t believe it. Ten years of us, and you think just a few days with him can replace that?
“Sara, it was my fault. I was afraid Esther’s depression would flare up, so I kept pushing you away. But I’ve always loved you,
“Sara, please believe me. It’s only now that I see what I really feel. Can you…
“Can you give me another chance?”
Arnold had played with my heart countless times. Now he was telling me he loved me.
E
10:48 PM ·
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4
I didn’t want to believe it, and I couldn’t.
“Arnold, you’re pathetic. Just because you liked me once, does that mean I should’ve spent my whole life chasing after you, begging you to marry me?”
For over a decade, he had many chances to figure things out.
But now, after I had moved on and found a better life, he suddenly wanted me back.
I was done talking.
Arnold wouldn’t let go, even tearing up.
“I’m sorry, Sara. I’m really sorry…”
Luckily, Jerome showed up just in time to rescue me.
“Honey, you’re supposed to call me when you leave work early so I can pick you up.”
He wrapped his arm around me and started walking forward. Then, he turned to Arnold and said, “By the way, she doesn’t like roses. She thinks they’re tacky. I think tulips suit her better.”
Back in the car, I opened the passenger side, and the fragrance of fresh flowers immediately filled the air.
Looking at the flowers, I kissed him on the cheek.
Jerome turned a little red, awkwardly looking away.
I went back home to gather all my things and move them into our new place.
That was when I found out that Esther had never had depression. All those years, it had been a lie.
Her medical reports were carelessly scattered on the table.
