More Than a Stray

My boyfriend, Marcus, and I made a promise to get married after we rescued one hundred cats.

For three years, I devoted myself completely.

Just as we were about to fulfill our promise, my boyfriend cheated on me with the woman he called his "savior."

I was kicked out of my own room, and the most precious thing in my safe was gone.

It was the ashes of the baby I miscarried in order to save him.

I knelt on the ground and begged them, "Please, give it back to me. I really can't be without it."

The other woman laughed smugly.

"I burned them and scattered the ashes long ago. And your boyfriend was right there with me when I did it."

Just then, a man appeared.

"If I weren't here, how would I have known you were bullying her like this!"

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1

When another rescue call shattered the quiet, I swiftly gathered my photography gear and first-aid kit, then dialed Marcus’s number.

"Marcus, the animal rescue center just called. There’s a severely injured cat on the east side of the city. We need to head over immediately. Come pick me up."

"Alright," Marcus responded, his voice laced with indifference.

Then, a woman's coquettish complaint drifted through the line.

"Marcus, is Garcia doing this on purpose? She knows I have my video shoot today, and yet she still picks this exact moment to call you."

"It's so late, and you still have to go all that way for some stray cat. She clearly doesn't care about you one bit."

Listening to that sickeningly sweet, wheedling voice, a chill crept down my spine.

I knew that voice all too well—Isabella, Marcus’s model friend.

The one he always doted on and kept close, all because of some so-called life-saving favor.

I never knew just what this supposed life-saving favor was that made him hold onto it—and her—so tightly.

"Baby, don't be upset. Garcia's just like that. I'll make it up to you properly when I get back."

The sweet nothings he murmured to Isabella morphed into a cold, cutting interrogation when he finally addressed me.

"Do you have any idea how far the east side is? Is one stray cat really worth all this? You’re being completely unreasonable." Listening to his words, my heart ached with an unbearable bitterness.

We had made a pact: once we rescued one hundred stray cats, we would get married.

He had promised me with such fervent sincerity.

"Garcia, once we’ve rescued a hundred cats, I’ll marry you and throw you the most magnificent wedding this city has ever seen."

I threw myself wholeheartedly into the rescue work.

Throughout the rescue process, I poured every ounce of my energy into caring for the cats.

Marcus eventually arrived.

Not long after, I saw Marcus's sports car pull up. I habitually reached for the passenger door, only to find the seat already taken.

My eyes widened in disbelief as I stared at the person inside the car.

"Isabella, what are you doing sitting here?"