10
“Not telling you about my family background was initially my dad’s idea. The gap between our families was just too vast. But my parents aren’t old–fashioned–they don’t care about social standing. What they value is character and how someone treats me. My dad was worried that if you knew the truth too soon, your feelings for me wouldn’t be genuine. He wanted me to wait until our relationship was stable before revealing it.”
you
“I saw the ring you bought for Courtney–the one you used to proposed,” I said, my voice steady. That night, when told me to stay at a hotel, I thought you were planning a surprise proposal. I didn’t go to the hotel–l came here instead. I was so excited, told them everything about you. I promised them I’d take you here after you proposed. Unfortunately, that proposal never come.”
Hearing this, Darryl’s legs faltered as the weight of her words sank in. He finally realized what he had thrown away–the wealth, the privileges and, most of all, the genuine love he’d once had.
Shaking, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small green necklace.
C
—
“June, look. I got this for you. I know I’m not religious like your grandmother and I guess people believe in four–leaf clovers more than in those roadside magic stuff sellers, but I still wanted to give it to you. I went way up into the mountains, near the slopes. I searched for hours, slipped and almost fell into a ravine a couple of times. My face got scratched up by branches as I bent down to look. People believe these bring luck, but I think it’ll bring you happiness and safety, too.”
He looked at me, desperation in his eyes.
“I swear I’ve changed, June. I’ll leave Courtney right off. I don’t even like her–I never have. You’re the only one
I’ve ever truly loved. Please, just give me one more chance. I promise I’ll never let you down again”
10:20 AM
D
D
The Proposal I Didn’t Get, and the Wealth He Never Saw Coming
He looked at me, desperation in his eyes.
“I swear I’ve changed, June. I’ll leave Courtney right off. I don’t even like her–I never have. You’re the only one
I’ve ever truly loved. Please, just give me one more chance. I promise I’ll never let you down again.”
I glanced at the necklace, the leaf was preserved in resin; the necklace chain although look shinny it was just a cheap material. Then I looked at Darryl. A small cuts on his face hinted he might have been telling the truth about the branches. In the past, I might’ve been deeply moved by such a gesture. But now? I felt nothing.
Grabbing the necklace, I walked to the side of the road. Under his hopeful gaze, I hurled it down the hill as hard as I could.
“There’s no future for us, Darryl. Stop wasting your time. I cherished the talisman my grandmother gave me because it was filled with her love. But yours is filled with nothing but selfish motives. It’s nothing more than a scraps.”
“I was hoping we could part on good terms, but if you keep pestering me like this, I won’t hesitate to burn every bridge. I’ve recorded all our conversations, including the last phone call. If you don’t want Courtney to see or hear them, I suggest you disappear from my life entirely.”
Darryl leaned over the railing, staring down the hill for a long moment before turning back to face me. His face was pale as he asked, “There’s really no chance for us, is there?”
I didn’t answer, but my unwavering gaze gave him all the clarity he needed.
After a beat of silence, he exhaled shakily and muttered, “I’m sorry. I wish you happiness for the rest of your life.” Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his figure sagging as he disappeared down the path.
That was the last time I ever saw Darryl.
In the weeks that followed, I immersed myself in learning the ropes of my dad’s restaurant business, occasionally taking on art commissions when time allowed. Life became busy and fulfilling.
One afternoon during my lunch break, I lazily scrolled through my phone and stumbled across a news story. Man’s ‘Essential Tool‘ Severed by Girlfriend.
It caught my attention because I saw two familiar names–Courtney Lake and Darryl Griffin.
Apparently, Darryl had been muttering in his sleep, begging for my forgiveness and repeatedly calling out my name. He also confessed–unintentionally–that he never loved Courtney and had only used her family as a stepping stone for his career. She then concluded that Darryl wasn’t willing to part with me after all, so in a fit of rage she took the scissors and…
Well, let’s just say she didn’t hold back.
Although doctors managed to reattach it, they couldn’t guarantee full functionality.
I changed into my work clothes and headed out the door.
it
Life is long and I still have so much to learn and achieve. I refuse to waste my energy on people or events from the past.
(The End)