Proposal No. 18: Still Lost to Her Childhood Sweetheart Chapter 06
Once those words fell, I felt the emotions pent up inside me instantly vanish.
But Hailey was terrified. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and tears began to fall immediately.
“What do you mean? I’ve already said there’s nothing between Eric and me. Why would we break up? Daniel, I know I was wrong. Please don’t be like this!
“We can discuss anything you want. Eric is just sick. He’ll get better. When he’s better, we’ll get married.”
My hand tightened on the suitcase handle, but I said nothing.
Hailey reached out to me pitifully. “Say something, Daniel. How can you just decide you don’t want me anymore?”
Who was really the one being abandoned?
I coldly avoided her hand and said calmly, “Hailey, we were together for eight years. I proposed to you 18 times. Every time, you left me, humiliated me, and accused me of disregarding Eric’s life. Now, I’m giving up. You should be happy.”
My throat felt hoarse. If you listened closely, you could tell my voice still carried a heavy nasal sound.
Hailey seemed oblivious to it as she stubbornly held onto the other side of the suitcase.
“Eric has depression. He just can’t be without me for now. Why can’t you understand? Daniel, you said it yourself -we were together for eight years. Isn’t that more important than a piece of paper?
“I promise you, when Eric’s condition improves, I’ll marry you. Let’s not break up, okay?”
She probably didn’t even believe her own words when she said them. Given Eric’s unstable nature, he would never truly get better.
Or maybe he didn’t want to get better at all.
“Hailey, if he never ‘improves,’ does that mean I can never get married either? You’re being too selfish.”
My harsh words made Hailey tremble, her body swaying if she might collapse.
“That won’t happen. If you don’t believe me, let’s get engaged first, okay? Daniel, I’ve always wanted to be your bride. Just give me a little more time to fulfill my promise to Eric. I’m begging you!
“I’ll agree to anything else, just not this.”
Her words always sounded sweet, but promises only counted at the moment they were spoken.
For eight years, I’d been fooled so many times. Of course, I understood this was just her way of placating me.
As long as my resolve showed even the slightest sign of softening, she would forget everything and go back to being lovey-dovey with Eric.
Besides, what was the point of getting engaged?
The reluctance in her tone made me feel sick. This wasn’t the love and marriage I’d imagined. At the very least, it shouldn’t be something begged for.
“Hailey, I don’t love you anymore. Let me go. You should let it go too. Eight years, and we have nothing to show for it. That means we were never meant to be. Let’s part peacefully. I won’t disturb you and Eric again.”
I truly meant what I said. There wasn’t a single false word.
Besides, with how demanding this project was, I would spend less and less time in this city anyway. There wouldn’t be many chances to argue with her.
Hailey stopped holding back her sobs at this point. She dropped to her knees and tightly grabbed my sleeve.
“Give me one last chance. We won’t get engaged-we’ll get married straightaway! This time, whether it’s Eriqor anyone else, nothing will stop us from getting married, okay? I’m begging you, Daniel. Don’t leave me!”
