Proposal No. 18: Still Lost to Her Childhood Sweetheart Chapter 05
This time, Hailey actually left a rare comment on my Instagram post.
“Eric’s stable now. Wait for me. The night view there is also really nice.”
The night view, huh?
I frowned as I thought about it. What was there to see in a dark place with no light?
Still, I replied with an “Okay”. After eight years of being together, I wanted a proper ending.
And so, I waited another three hours. All the guests had left by then, and the place was about to close.
Sunset Villa was far from the city, with a long mountain road ahead, so I couldn’t get a cab home. If something happened at night, there would be no help.
I could only stand dejectedly outside the restaurant’s entrance, waiting for Hailey to pick me up.
To make matters worse, I hadn’t brought a power bank, and now my phone was about to die. Hailey wasn’t answering her phone either.
The forest ahead seemed to stare menacingly at me. I frowned as I helplessly stepped into the darkness.
I couldn’t tell how long it would take to walk out. All I knew was that I felt utterly exhausted. I was so tired that I wanted to cry.
Meanwhile, the one who brought me here was lying in the arms of the person she loved.
After walking an unknown distance, a car finally appeared when I was drenched in sweat from exhaustion.
The driver kindly gave me a lift and asked me what had happened.
I didn’t answer. Instead, I stared blankly at the scenery outside the window.
It was different from daytime, when Hailey had picked me up. Now, everything was dark.
Once we reached the city, I suddenly fell ill. Maybe it was due to the belief I’d clung to for years vanishing, combined with the exhaustion from walking-but this time, I was seriously sick.
I lay in the hospital, hooked up to an IV all night.
Hailey didn’t contact me until noon the next day. “Daniel, why aren’t you back yet?”
She couldn’t hide the fatigue in her voice.
I coughed a few times while taking the keys from the realtor. “Hailey, when you left me at that remote place last night, did you ever think about how I’d get back?”
There was silence on the other end for a few seconds. Then, her careless reply came through again.
“Eric was in a terrible state last night. He almost overdosed on pills. I couldn’t just leave him. You’re capable, so you’d definitely find a way back on your own.”
She couldn’t just leave him? So, my life didn’t matter at all.
I couldn’t help letting out a scornful laugh. “If I’d waited for you to remember where I was, I’d be dead by now.”
I hung up and returned to the company.
The team for this project had been finalized, and all preparations were complete. It was time for me to leave.
At the meeting, Ethan said a few encouraging words out of courtesy and nodded at me.
“It’s rare for Dan to take the initiative. Let’s have a team dinner tonight. My treat.”
Ethan had mentored me since I first joined the company. He had high hopes for me, but I’d been such a disappointment all these years.
Now that I was finally proving myself, it was worth celebrating.
My coworkers burst into cheers and discussed what to eat tonight.
I joined in on the celebrations. For the first time, I stayed out without any prior notice and partied until late at night.
Surprisingly, the lights were still on at home. Hailey sat on the couch, looking aggrieved.
“Why did you come back so late? I thought you were working overtime. I went to your company, but you weren’t there. Why didn’t you tell me?
“Are you still mad about yesterday? I know I was wrong. Eric really needed me. I didn’t mean to-
“It’s fine,” I said, cutting off her excuses.
Then, I went to my room and pulled out the suitcase I’d packed long ago. I didn’t own much in this house, so one suitcase was enough.
This time, I wasn’t planning to come back. I’d found a new place, and tonight was my last night here.
Startled, Hailey grabbed my suitcase as anger flashed in her eyes. “What are you doing? Running away from home? Daniel, don’t act like a child!”
She thought I was still throwing a tantrum and tried to overpower me with her voice, but I was louder.
“Enough, Hailey! Let’s break up. I’m leaving for another place soon, and I’ve packed my things. You can be with Eric openly from now on. I wish you happiness.”
