Five Missed Vows, Then I Cut Her Off

The night passed with me having restless fits.

While I was half-awake and half-dreaming, images of Edna and Nolan filled my mind.

When I dragged myself out of bed to wash up, my reflection in the mirror was a man with sunken eyes and unkempt stubble. I looked so disheveled and worn like a lost soul.

After three years of deep affection, this wretched state was all I received in return.

Deep down, I was disgusted that I had let myself fall apart and get so torn up over a relationship that wasn't even worth the effort. Now that I had come to this point, I had to make things right and turn the page, clean and fast.

After scooping up a handful of cold water, I splashed it hard against my face, shaved off the stubble, and changed into a crisp shirt. The man in the mirror finally began to resemble his old self again.

A friend called. "We're meeting up at the usual place tonight, Zack. Don't you dare ditch us and make excuses about being with your girlfriend again."

I subconsciously asked if Edna would be there, and he laughed on the other end of the line. "Of course! Speaking of which, didn't you two say you were going to get registered for marriage? Why haven't we seen a single wedding photo…"

"We broke up," I calmly cut in.

The chatter came to an abrupt stop. After a long pause, he stammered, "B-Broke up?"

"Yes—just yesterday. If she's going to be at anything from now on, don't invite me."

My friend seemed startled by my unusual composure. He mumbled a few words of comfort before hastily hanging up.

It was a perfectly normal reaction. In our shared circle of friends, everyone knew just how much I spoiled Edna.

Last year, at a dinner, she had casually mentioned craving a cake from a trendy bakery on the east side of the town, so I had driven through a downpour just to get it. When I came back soaked to the bone, I was still carefully protecting that delicately wrapped cake box.

Our friends laughed at me for spoiling her rotten, but I just wiped my hair and said, "She's young. What's wrong with spoiling her a little?"

She was three years younger and had an innocent baby face, so I couldn't help but treat her like a doll who needed protecting.

I pulled all-nighters to finish her business proposals, paid for every designer piece she wanted, and made sure her office desk drawers were always stocked with the hand warmers I bought.

I took care of almost every aspect of her life, including her food, clothing, and accommodation. Even her parents joked that I had spoiled her so much she could barely take care of herself.

All these years, I had been like a tireless gardener meticulously tending a beautiful flower, but never once stopping to ask if the flower even cared about the gardener watering it.

After hanging up, I thought about it and posted on my feed. "Long live being single."

The photo showed the rising sun outside my window, its golden rays cutting through the crowd. It felt as if I were finally breaking free from the shackles of that relationship.

Right after I posted the photo, I felt an unexpected sense of relief.

Within three minutes, my phone started buzzing nonstop. Friends and colleagues liked and commented on the post. Some were shocked, some were nosy, and most expressed concern.

After steadying my emotions, I packed up and got ready for work, only to see a team-building announcement in the company group chat. Edna's name was listed among the participants.

I immediately applied for leave.

Outside the window, the sunlight was perfect, with the shadows of trees swaying gently on the ground.

Perhaps I should visit the sea and let the salty wind blow away the gloom of the past.