Proposal No. 101

"Are you out of your mind? Why couldn't you make your own tea? Why did you have to drink Tammy's tea? Are you trying to make her depression worse?"

After that, Drew and I didn't speak for a whole month. Meanwhile, he proposed to Tammy five times.

I just didn't have the energy to keep going.

Out of nowhere, Drew called me over, his expression unreadable.

"Come sit and eat with us. I actually need to talk to you. Tammy's lease is ending, so she'll be staying at my place for a while. It's best if you give us some space."

Tammy smiled sweetly. "Bridget, you know I struggle with depression and hate sharing Drew with anyone. Living under the same roof would be unbearable for me."

Looking slightly uneasy, Drew reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

A sharp pain stabbed through my chest, and tears threatened to spill from my eyes.

Drew's sudden bursts of kindness always came with a catch, just like how one simple breakfast once bought him the opportunity to propose to Tammy 99 times.

I was drained. In a cold, steady voice, I told Drew and Tammy I would be moving out tomorrow.

Drew looked a little caught off guard. He paused for a second before saying, "Tammy might be here for two months. You should probably find somewhere else to stay."

I was scheduled to report back to my unit in a few days. If I had the choice, I would disappear for good.

Without waiting for another word, I moved my things to the couch in the living room.

Drew looked like he was going to suggest we keep sharing the bedroom, but the moment he saw Tammy's flushed face, he held his tongue.

I was abruptly woken in the dead of night.

"I only asked you to let Tammy have the bedroom. Why must you be so cold-hearted? She's already sick!" Drew's voice was sharp with anger.

The window in the bedroom was broken and wouldn't close. The cold night air had left Tammy trembling.

Drew seemed to have forgotten that I had brought up this issue with him a month ago when I was down with the flu. He barely even acknowledged it and insisted that piling on extra blankets would suffice.

I had been busy traveling out of town for a news assignment, so I kept delaying the repairs. But it was obvious Drew didn't want to hear any of it.

Tammy remained curled up in his arms. Without saying a word, he grabbed his car keys and rushed her to the hospital.

The rain poured heavily outside. I recalled the one time I asked Drew to drive me to the hospital on a rainy night. He told me I was being dramatic.

I smiled bitterly and shook my head. After locking the door behind me, I finally drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Later, Tammy posted another story on Instagram.

"Drew proposed to me again. Even though I had to get an injection, my heart feels warm."

The emerald bracelet she wore was a Myers family heirloom, reserved solely for the rightful daughter-in-law.

I looked down at the cheap imitation on my wrist. Without a second thought, I threw it into the trash.

Drew had once promised me that after he made a name for himself, he would present that bracelet to me in front of everyone.

But in the end, it was someone else who wore it.

As I gathered my things to leave, I decided to call my commanding officer, Pierce Vindell.

"Yes, I'm sure. I'll report in first thing tomorrow."

To my surprise, Drew came home. As his eyes fell on the suitcase in my hand, his chest tightened.

"Are you going on a business trip? You never said anything. Where are you headed? Do you want me to see you off? I'm free tomorrow," he said, a hint of irritation in his voice.

For a moment, I was stunned. This wasn't the Drew I knew.

"Isn't Tammy still in the hospital? I don't want you getting sidetracked."

Drew appeared uneasy, and for once, he tried to justify himself.

"Tammy was going through a really rough night. I couldn't just stand by. I had to do my best to comfort her. Don't worry. When the wedding comes, I'll get the bracelet back and give it to you."

He must have known I had blocked Tammy on social media.

But not wanting to stir up conflict before I left, I just nodded silently.

Drew seemed a bit taken aback by my calm demeanor. All of a sudden, he pulled out a gift bag. Inside was the backpack I had been wanting for ages.

"Here's your late birthday gift."

After five years of dating, he just gave me a birthday gift the first year. His behavior today was surprisingly out of character.

He glanced at his watch, a flicker of hesitation crossing his eyes.

"Tammy lost her job after repeatedly taking too much time off. She created a major scene at the hospital, but I finally managed to calm her down and get her to sleep."

Given that she consistently took two weeks off each month, it was remarkable that the company waited as long as it did to take action.