“You’re so good now. Let’s get engaged tomorrow, okay?”
“Think of it as your reward–getting to be my fiancée.”
I diu..t answer, my gaze drifting to Brielle.
She clutched the dress tightly, her teeth grinding as she glared at me.
The dress suited her perfectly, as if it had never been mine to begin with.
Let her have it. I was leaving anyway.
Under the guise of needing fresh air, I slipped out and hailed a cab to the airport.
Before the night was over, I blocked Carter’s number and left the city where I had wasted
nine years
of
my life.
When Carter came home that evening and saw the empty space where my belongings had been, he texted me furiously from a new number:
“Skylar, what’s the meaning of this?”
“Aren’t we getting engaged? Why did you move out?”
18:04 Thu, Nov 28
6
65%%
Q
Carter’s calls started pouring in, one after another, from different numbers. I counted at
least seven.
He was relentless.
Eventually, I picked up after my plane landed.
“We’re done,” I said simply.
“Skylar Quinn, have you lost your mind? We’re about to get engaged, and you’re breaking up with me?”
“I’m giving you and Brielle my blessing,” I replied, my tone emotionless. “You’re clearly inseparable.”
“This is about Brielle, isn’t it? Why are you always jealous of her? She’s just a friend!”
“I’m marrying you, not her. Isn’t that enough for you?”
“Carter, I don’t love you anymore.” My voice didn’t waver. “It’s over.”
“Skylar, think carefully,” he growled coldly. “After nine years with me, who the hell would want you?”
I was trembling with rage, barely holding back the fire building inside me as I hung up.
Nine years of my life had been a joke.
The love I had poured everything into was now unrecognizable.
Back home, my parents were overjoyed to see me.
For years, work and my toxic relationship with Carter had kept me away.
My visits were infrequent, and my parents had aged noticeably.
“Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. I’m staying for good this time,” I promised.
18.04 Thu, Nov 28 VO·
충북 약 65%을
Q A
“Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. I’m staying for good this time,” I promised.
I decided to settle down, find a stable job; and maybe, eventually, a good partner.
Marriage, family–things that didn’t have Carter in them.
For so long, my plans had revolved around him.
But now, I realized my future could look completely different.
The moment I walked out of his penthouse, I knew I’d never go back.
Carter’s texts didn’t stop.
Each one was cold and demanding:
“Don’t think I’ll come begging. This runaway act doesn’t work on me.”
“You’re almost thirty. Do you think you’ll find anyone better than me?”
“Come to your senses and get back here. No one else is going to marry you.”
I blocked him again, and peace returned to my world.
“Skylar, your dad set up a meeting with a match. He’s on his way. Aren’t you getting ready?”
I jolted awake, realizing I’d completely forgotten.
“You skipped the last one at The Greenleaf Café. This time, he’s coming to the house. You’d better not embarrass us again.”
Hearing my mom’s voice outside, I jumped out of bed–not to get dressed but to climb out the window.
I wasn’t ready to start dating again, so I ran.
Cowardly? Sure. But effective.
18:04 Thu, Nov 28
“Skylar’s missing!”
“She must’ve snuck out–this girl, I swear…
I let out a sigh of relief, crouched on the second–floor balcony, and waite
before attempting to climb down.
