my boyfriend who has been in love for five years proposed to me . that night I came home alone and heard him say I am a substitute Chapter 8

My sister waved at me from the crowd.

We hadn’t seen each other for years.

She was no longer the sister who always worried about me, as I remembered.

She had become more mature and confident, radiating with light.

“You’ve grown so much.”

She kept touching my face, apologizing repeatedly.

I fell into her embrace.

“Sis, I don’t blame you.”

“You taught me that women need to be independent and learn to love themselves.”

Twenty years ago, my sister made the same choice I did now.

“Nora, Theo’s been calling me.”

My sister wiped away my tears, though her own fell first.

“Whatever choice you make, I’ll support you.”

My phone was filled with missed calls and texts from Theo.

Before I could read them all, another call came through.

“Nora…”

Theo’s voice carried a sense of urgency.

10:27 AM

I had never seen him so anxious.

I couldn’t understand why, since Lydia had returned, he still cared so much about me, his stand–in.

“Nora, you read my diary, didn’t you? It’s not true.”

“There’s nothing between me and Lydia. She’s just a friend.”

“You must be heartbroken. I saw the tear stains you left on the diary. I admit I’ve neglected you, but I never meant to hurt you.”

I felt dazed.

“Theo, I know you’re with me out of habit. So I chose to leave, to let you and Lydia be together.”

“What else are you unhappy with?”

“Why are you crying?”

In Theo’s diary, Lydia was a light during his difficult times.

She was an unforgettable presence in his life.

He completely forgot how much I did to support him during that time.

While he enjoyed good times with Lydia.

It was my salary that supported his life.

I helped him find jobs, encouraged, and supported him.

I stayed with him through countless challenges…

He forgot all of that.

He only remembered the joy and excitement Lydia brought him.

He engraved Lydia’s name in his heart and lied to me, calling it a growing experience.

But in truth, the only thing he wanted to remember was the enchanting Lydia.

Now, he’s gotten what he wanted, reuniting with his one true love.

Why does he start missing me now?

“Nora, did you run away from the wedding to get back at me? You love me so much, you resented my neglect, so you did this on purpose.”

“It’s okay, I’ll forgive you. Nora, no matter what you do, I’ll forgive you.”

I was speechless, unsure how to argue back.

When I was young and naive, I threw tantrums.

I cried, shouted, and gave him the silent treatment,

But no matter what I did, Theo just looked at me indifferently.

He wouldn’t comfort me or coax me.

He’d just watch me be sad, waiting for me to make peace.

I thought it was just his personality.

I didn’t realize he understood everything.

10:27 AM

Growing up together, he knew me inside out.

He was sure of my love for him, that I couldn’t leave him. He took advantage of my love without restraint.

He never expected me to leave so decisively.

Everything went beyond his expectations.

He was scared.

Scared of losing me forever.

Once I figured everything out, any lingering feelings for Theo vanished.

“Theo, I’m grateful that you brought warmth into my life once.”

“For that, I’m willing to forgive all the hurt you’ve caused me.”

“Running away from the wedding wasn’t revenge; it was my choice. From now on, I have no love or hate for you. I hope we can live well separately and never meet again.”

After saying all this, I blocked Theo’s number.

I smiled at my sister, but for some reason, I couldn’t stop crying.

I couldn’t tell if I was happy or sad.

My sister patted my shoulder.

“It’s all in the past. Let’s start fresh together.”

Her welcome was heartwarming. She took days to help me settle everything.

Then took me to my favorite restaurant.

Delicious food and a warm atmosphere.

Under this double comfort, all my inner exhaustion and distress seemed to melt away.

Later, my sister had something to do, so she arranged for a driver to take me back, leaving first.

I stayed until late and only left with the driver’s help.

Dazed, I thought I saw a familiar figure.

He walked quickly toward me.

His image overlapped, and I saw it was Theo.

He said, “Nora, come home with me.”

“I’ll explain to our parents and relatives; no one will blame you.”

“As long as you return, I’ll forgive you for running away and leaving. I’ll arrange everything for us to start over.”

“I swear I’ll treat you well and never disappoint or upset you again.”

The ground was littered with cigarette butts where he’d been standing.

I didn’t know when he found me or how long he’d been there.

I was astonished by his stubbornness.

“Theo, why do you think I need your forgiveness?”

Theo took a few more drags, and his eyes started to redden.

“I saw you having dinner with a man. Isn’t that betrayal?”

“Nora, I love you, so I’m willing to forgive you. You’ll never find a better man than me!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you forget we already broke up?”

To Theo, getting close to Lydia after our engagement wasn’t betrayal.

Thinking of Lydia while I supported him wasn’t betrayal.

Turning me into Lydia’s stand–in wasn’t betrayal.

But having a meal with a man after we broke up made me an unforgivable sinner.

It was utterly ridiculous.

I didn’t want to deal with Theo and tried to leave.

He relentlessly followed.

“Nora, we’ve both made mistakes. Why can’t we forgive each other and live well?”

“We’ve known each other for so long, been together for five years… Can you really forget just like that?”

He tried to grab my hand, but the driver stopped him.

I didn’t look back and calmly said,

“I can forget.”

“You met Lydia and forgot everything about us. I can do the same.”

“Go back, be with Lydia or whoever you want. Just don’t bother me anymore.”

“I’m moving forward, unlike you, always clinging to the past.”

Theo refused to leave.

He quit his job and ignored everyone’s advice, determined to stay by my side.

Even Lydia came after me.

She furiously confronted me.

“Nora, your runaway stunt was a clever move to grab his attention. Don’t think you’ve won. I’ll find a way to get him back.”

I watched Lydia quietly.

She took many things from me, stole my past happiness.

Whether she truly wanted them or not, she had to take them.

I used to hate Lydia and her actions with a passion.

But now, I just felt sorry for her.

10:27 AM

in their woria, there’s no love.

Only endless competition.

They see other women as enemies and men as trophies.

They forget there’s a bigger world outside of those men.

“Do what you want. You better take him back soon so I can have some peace.”

Lydia paused for a moment.

She tossed the missing pages from the diary at me.

“What are you so smug about? He loves me!”

She detailed everything she and Theo had done during that time.”

I look at her now and feel overwhelming pity.

In their world, love doesn’t exist.

There’s only endless rivalry.

They view other women as opponents and men as prizes.

They completely forget that outside these men, there’s a vast world waiting.

“Do as you please, but make sure to take him back to your country soon, so I can have some peace.”

I was taken aback for a moment.

She tossed over a few blank pages from the diary.

“What are you so proud of? He’s in love with me!”

She went into detail about everything she and Theo Brooks did during that time.

The happiness I’ve yearned for my whole life comes easily to her.

Theo, who is always serious and proper in front of others, reveals his true self to her.

I can’t be bothered to watch.

True love? It’s just a fleeting impulse.

Theo has only ever loved himself.

When I turned around, I found Theo suddenly standing behind me.

He looked worn out.

Not as neat and tidy as before.

His hair was messy, and his eyes were bloodshot.

He was wearing the clothes I once bought for him.

He suddenly rushed at Lydia and slapped her hard.

“Be quiet! I don’t want you ruining my relationship with Nora. I’ve figured it all out; you never loved me. You seduced me to hurt Nora.”

“From the day we met, you weren’t any better. You were entangled with another man and couldn’t stand the loneliness, so you came to me.”

reen who ever loved me”

10:27 AM

“You’ve been lying to me from the start… It was you who made me lose Nora, the best person who ever loved me.”

Lydia was stunned and covered her face in disbelief.

Theo turned to me again.

“Nora, you knew everything about her. Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you let me be deceived?”

I was at a loss for words.

“If I told you, would you have listened? You would’ve thought I was being irrational. Besides, we grew up together. Did you really not know what kind of person Lydia is?”

“You were infatuated with her looks and refused to face reality. Theo, you really disappoint me!”

I might have been too harsh. Since then, Theo stayed quiet for a long time.

Lydia didn’t dare provoke me either.

I started working at the same company as my sister, gradually getting familiar with various tasks.

After work, I’d hang out with colleagues, have meals, and chat.

Life was peaceful and fulfilling.

Just when I thought everything was on track, something unexpected happened.

On my way home after working late, I realized someone was following me.

The road was deserted, and the streetlights were dim.

I didn’t want to alert the follower by calling the police, so I stayed calm.

As I passed some trees, he suddenly rushed at me and grabbed me from behind.

I was terrified, my body trembling uncontrollably.

“Please don’t hurt me. I can give you all the money I have.”

He didn’t speak but held me tighter, as if fearing I’d escape.

Just then, the streetlight flickered.

In the brief light, I saw the tattoo on his chest.

I asked in disbelief, “Theo Brooks?”

In an instant, he froze.

I pushed him away with all my might and, seeing his face, slapped him with all my strength.

“Theo, what are you trying to do to me? You’re worse than a beast!”

His face turned red instantly.

But instead of getting angry, he gently held my hand and blew on it.

“Nora, I won’t hurt you. I can’t bear to hurt you.”

“I just want to take you home…”

moved away from Theo in disgust.

But I never thought he could be so obsessive and irrational.

I leaned against the wall, my body trembling with fear.

Theo moved closer again.

“Nora, look how dangerous the world is outside. Come back to me, okay?”

“I’ll protect you. I’ll cut all ties with Lydia. I never loved her. I was just confused and got tempted.”

I’m not sure if he loves me.

I only know Theo likes playing the role of a devoted lover.

He claims to be faithful, ignoring the other person’s feelings entirely.

I covered my pounding heart.

“Theo, never come near me again.”

“If you try this again, I’ll call the police.”

After calming down, I messaged my sister, briefly explaining what happened, and asked her to pick me up.

Even now, my legs are weak, unable to take a single step.

Theo stood there like a child who did something wrong, wanting to speak but holding back.

I don’t know how long it was before my sister arrived.

She brought a bunch of police officers.

Theo was arrested. He didn’t resist, just silently watched me.

His eyes were filled with regret.

My sister was determined to see Theo punished.

In the end, his family came to negotiate.

They pleaded first, then started blaming me.

Calling me heartless and cruel for running away from the wedding.

Accusing me of being ruthless for wanting my former lover imprisoned.

Only then did Theo finally speak up to defend me.

“It was all my fault. It’s not Nora’s fault. I brought this on myself. I was too greedy and didn’t know how to cherish what I had…”

“I regret it. I truly regret it. Nora, I don’t dare ask for your forgiveness. I just beg you, don’t forget me.”

Dad wanted to plead too, but seeing my sister’s cold gaze, he hung his head in shame.

He kept glancing at my sister out of the corner of his eye.

I guess he regrets it too.

Some things need to be lost to prove their value.

For some people, what they can’t have and what they lose forever are the most precious.

In the end, after much negotiation, Theo paid compensation and was deported.

mi uno chiu, diler mucn negotiation, Theo paid compensation and was deported.

Before leaving, he asked me, “Will we meet again?”

“Never.”

Suddenly, he burst into tears.

In front of everyone, he cried hard, lost and confused.

“Why did it turn out this way?”

“Nora, you’ve been by my side for so long, so long that I thought you’d never leave me, so long that I thought you’d forgive me no matter what I did.”

“I never imagined you’d leave quietly one day, or that I’d lose you forever.”

“After you left, I realized the whole world was different. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just couldn’t control my desires. Once I realized it, I knew I wouldn’t choose Lydia. But I couldn’t let go of her allure, so I wanted to make you like her.”

“I thought this way, I could have both of you, but I forgot…”

He forgot that there was only one Nora in this world.

Good or bad, she is unique.

She wouldn’t tolerate being a replacement.

My sister and I prepared to go home.

Theo continued his confession behind us.

“I saw your wish list on the calendar.”

“Why, after all this time together, didn’t we do any of those simple things? Besides that blurry photo, I can’t even find a picture of us together.”

“We never traveled together, never spent a good holiday together. Five years of dating, and looking back now, it’s all regrets.”

“I was so foolish. I should have noticed sooner. It was my desires that blinded me… I came this time thinking, even if I can’t take you home, at least I could make up for some regrets. I never imagined it would end like this…”