He opened his mouth, hesitating before asking, “Why? Why would you choose him over me?”
I stood tall, my voice steady. “Because Nick never looks down on me for being silly. He knows I’m not the brightest bulb, and even though he’s wasting his time with me, he’s still willing to be foolish right alongside me!”
Eddie’s disbelief was palpable. “That’s it? That’s your reason?”
I nodded firmly. “Yes, that’s the reason!
“Being with you is exhausting, Eddie. You never slow down to share your life with me. You’re always off in your own world, while I’m left scrambling to keep up. Even when I’m falling and scraping my knees, you don’t notice. You think spending time with me is a waste–dinner, movies, even just talking to me feels like a chore to you. So why would I want a boyfriend like that? Am I supposed to enjoy life by torturing myself?”
With that, I kicked Eddie out of the engagement party.
Security rushed in to drag Eddie away, and for the first time in all the years I’d known him, I saw him utterly defeated.
I heard later that Selena had confessed her feelings to Eddie, only to be turned down. News of our engagement spread online, and soon Eddie and Selena became the butt of the joke. People called Eddie a classic j*rk and labeled Selena a minx.
Initially, they were both set to pursue master’s degrees at Kingsdom University, but after the scandal, their spots were revoked.
Now, they were like pariahs, the kind of people everyone wanted to avoid.
No matter how smart they were or how high their potential, they couldn’t shake off the stench of their reputation. After the engagement, Nick and I took a trip to his hometown, which was famous for its guitars. After some exploration, we
decided to open a shop together.
I would sell my paintings, and he would sell his guitars.
Nick had built quite a following online, and he’d become a bit of a local celebrity.
Occasionally, he’d live–stream himself playing guitar, promoting my artwork while showcasing local instruments and culture, his face lighting up with pride and joy.
His fans would often tease him, and he’d get flustered, saying, “Hey, don’t mess with me! I’ve got a wife! The painting behind me? That’s my wife’s work! If you like me, buy one of her pieces!”
Our life together was simple and joyful, just as Nick said–there was a charm in being a fool.
As for Eddie and Selena, I had no interest in crossing paths with them again.
They belonged to the past, and that was where they would stay.
The End
