Reboot My Heart

I had the inexplicable urge to try the restaurant's signature spicy barbecue ribs.

For the past six years, Austin claimed to have a sensitive stomach and never ate anything spicy. Any time he saw me eating spicy food, he would wrinkle his nose in disgust.

"It's so embarrassing to be gobbling up heavy-flavored food like this."

It wasn't just about his own preferences. He tried to control mine, too. The moment I ordered anything relatively spicy, he would lash out right there at the table.

To keep the peace, I gradually changed my diet and even gave up on my favorite spicy barbecue ribs. Looking back now, I realized how foolish I was to have put myself through that.

Just as I was about to taste my first rib in ages, a hand suddenly reached over and flipped the plate over.

Austin had stood beside me at one point, his face full of disgust. "Why'd you eat something like that? The wedding's coming soon. Can't you watch your manners a little?"

I stared at the sauce that had splattered on my heels, momentarily at a loss for words. I had just wanted a taste, nothing more, but he had to ruin it for me.

He said mockingly, "Can you at least try to be a little more presentable? Look at Carmen. She works out every day and keeps herself in great shape. I wouldn't have to do this if you could just be a little more like her."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Carmen, who was standing beside him, his eyes overflowing with affection that he didn't bother to hide.

She lowered her head, feigning humility. "I could never compare to Maeve, Mr. Cooper."

Her pretentious act only made the once-enticing ribs unappetizing.

"If you adore her so much, why not let her be your bride?"

I was ready to leave, but Carmen ran up to me. "Don't be mad, Maeve. I've never been good with words, but I know that Mr. Cooper was only concerned about you. Right. There's something I need to give you."

She took out a bracelet from her exquisite bag, her gesture smug yet deliberately apologetic. "Mr. Cooper gifted this to me, but I can't possibly accept it. I think that you deserve this more."

I barely glanced at the bracelet and said, "You can keep it."

Immediately, her eyes reddened. She wore a pitiful expression and turned to Austin. "Mr. Cooper, did I say something wrong? Why does she seem to hate me so much…"

No sooner had those words fallen than Austin shielded her and hurled the bracelet at me. "Why are you giving her such an attitude when all she wants is to return a bracelet?

"She's just an employee. You don't have to treat her with such hostility all the time."

Naturally, the metal bracelet left a cut on my skin as it grazed my cheek. His temper immediately defused. "I didn't mean to, Maeve—"

He wanted to touch my face, but I avoided him. Instead, I stared at the man whom I had wasted six years on and coldly stated, "I'm done, Austin. Let's break up."

Hearing my words, Austin froze for a moment before letting out a dismissive laugh. "When did you start making such unfunny jokes, Maeve? After six years together and with a wedding on the way, you want us to break up?

"Are you really willing to throw away the perfect wedding you've always dreamed of?"

His eyes were full of scornful certainty, as if he were entirely sure that I wouldn't dare leave. He walked off with Carmen, not even bothering to give me a proper response.

How ironic. After months of preparation, the long-anticipated wedding was finally approaching, yet the groom's heart had wandered elsewhere.

All the years of love and loyalty between us were worth nothing more than the illusion of a grand ceremony to him. He really believed that was all I ever wanted.

A bitter laugh escaped me at the thought.

I returned to the restaurant and ordered double the portion of spicy barbecue wings. After finishing them, I walked past a food district and stopped for a triple-scoop ice cream.

At last, I could finally eat without having a man screaming in my ears. How relaxing.

Back in the high-rise apartment we shared, I stood among the traces of Austin. From the furniture to the decorations, they had all been carefully chosen by him when he was courting me.