Proposal No. 18: Still Lost to Her Childhood Sweetheart Chapter 07
Hailey’s face was visibly filled with regret.
This was the first time in eight years that it happened, but I no longer needed it from her.
“We can’t go back to how we were, Hailey.”
After so many rejections and abandonments, our love was no longer a complete piece. It was left with one deep crack after another.
A broken mirror couldn’t be made whole again, and neither could feelings.
“Hailey, you’ve never been the type who can’t let go of things. I’m leaving tomorrow. Let’s part on good terms.”
I didn’t plan to tell her where I was going.
After that, I forcibly pulled my hand from hers and moved into the guest bedroom.
Muffled sobs came from outside the door, and she cautiously begged me to look at her one more time.
I leaned against the door as I felt bitterness spread in my chest. If she had regretted it earlier, we wouldn’t have reached this point.
But there were no such things as “what ifs” in this world. Even if there were, people would still make different choices in different situations.
Early the next morning, I opened the door to see Hailey in an apron.
Seeing that I was awake, she wiped her hands nervously and pointed at the table. “I made this. Will you try it?”
It was a plate of eggs on toast-the only food Hailey had ever made for me.
Back then, she had just broken up with Eric. She was devastated, unwilling to leave the house or talk to anyone.
I was afraid she would develop mental problems, so I acted like a puppy and barked to make her laugh.
Days passed, and she gradually recovered and accepted my feelings. The day we got together, there were no grand vows, no flowers, and no fine wine.
Hailey clumsily made a plate of eggs on toast and told me, “I’m willing to cook for you for a lifetime.”
I treated that as a solemn promise and took it to heart. That was why I endured every rejected proposal.
Now, when seeing the thing that had chained me down for eight years, I felt uncomfortable at the sight. I moved to step around it and leave.
“Daniel, just try it one last time. Please? I woke up very early and practiced many times. This is the best batch.
“If we’re to part on good terms, we should end where we began.”
As she spoke, she tilted her head in embarrassment and wiped her tears. The finger she used showed a long, red
cut.
I pretended not to see it. I just sat at the dining table and silently ate the food.
I had to admit that her cooking had improved a lot. But deep down, we both knew who she had actually improved
for.
Hailey also knew that the more she said, the more mistakes she would make. The house echoed with the sounds of chewing and clinking utensils, wrapped in an eerie silence.
I quickly finished eating and took my suitcase, heading for the door.
Given my current relationship with Hailey, a farewell wasn’t appropriate. And yet, she somehow mustered up the courage to block the door with her body as tears streamed down her face.
“Daniel, do you remember? You said you’d never leave me. You said you loved me, and that no matter what happened, you’d hold my hand tightly.
“You haven’t forgotten. I saw your eyes tear up. Give me one more chance, okay? I really know I was wrong.
“Or, take me with you. I’ll be good and never bother with Eric anymore, okay?”
Humans only understood what true pain was after losing something.
I rubbed my brow and checked the time. My flight would leave in two hours.
I couldn’t afford to waste my breath on her, but Hailey thought I was wavering and waved her phone excitedly.
“Look, I’ve deleted and blocked Eric’s number. I won’t look for him again, and he can’t find me. From now on, we’ll live happily together. No one will come between us anymore.”
