Ten Years of a Misplaced Heart

The streets were nearly empty so late at night, so I floored the gas. Per Jacob's request, I dropped Josie off first. Soon, it was just the two of us in the car.

I glanced at the steering wheel. "Let's talk."

He pinched his nose bridge, asking impatiently, "What's so important that you need to talk about it right now? I've been on a plane for over ten hours. Can't you let me rest?"

I didn't look at him with heartache the way I used to. I said calmly, "No, I can't. Some things are better settled now."

Jacob snorted. "What could you possibly have to discuss with me? Isn't this just about the wedding—"

His sarcasm was cut off by a ringtone. He picked up, and his expression changed. "Alright. Wait for me!"

He hung up and turned to get out of the car without another word.

I stopped him. "We're not done."

He stared at me incredulously, like I was some cold-blooded monster. "Josie fell in the bathroom. This is a life-or-death situation—I need to go check on her!"

I exhaled. "She should call a doctor if she's fallen. Wait for the doctor to arrive. If it's serious, like a broken bone, do you really think you're more qualified than a professional to—"

"That's enough!" Jacob snapped, his voice raw with irritation. "You're just jealous, aren't you? You're afraid I'll leave you. Fine, then. I'll make it clear right. We're over. I don't want you anymore! Happy now?"

With that, he got out and bolted toward the apartment complex's entrance. I watched his back, mouthing silently, "Fine."

…

Maybe my love life was a bust, but at least my career was looking up.

Two days later, my boss messaged me. I'd been recommended to transfer to the company's new branch and develop the market there. The pay was a lot better, so it was a real step up.

I didn't even need to think about it. I said yes and booked a flight for the next day.

That night, the colleagues I was close to threw me a farewell party. We picked a well-known spot in the city.

As I followed the crowd in, I caught sight of Jacob slipping into the private room beside ours. I leveled my gaze and looked away like he was a stranger.

But later, as I passed by his room on my way to the restroom, I heard his voice drift out.

"Marriage? When did I ever say I wanted to get married? I've got bright prospects after completing my education. Why would I settle for a woman with no looks, no education, and no money?"

Someone egged him on, loving the drama. "But you and Ingrid have been together for ten years, right? Won't she make a scene if you dump her now?"

Jacob was briefly silent before he laughed. "It's easy. I'll just string her along. I've already worn her out in bed, and she's getting older. Whatever I say goes.

"On her birthday this year, she begged me for a lipstick. I laid into her, and she didn't even dare to talk back. On the day itself, I still got her one—it was 6.99 dollars on eBay, but she acted like it was a treasure."

The room erupted in jeers.

The calm I'd managed to hold together tore open again, leaving a festering wound that spread pain through me. I clenched my fists tightly and turned to head back to my private room.

After the dinner, I contacted a colleague who had a relative working as a lawyer.

When I met the lawyer, I handed over ten years of receipts and transaction records to him. He looked through everything with raised brows. Then, he promised he would help me recover the money.

…

Early the next morning, I boarded a flight to Berdon. When I landed and turned on my phone, I received a call from Jacob. He sounded more aggressive than I'd ever heard him.

"What is wrong with you, Ingrid? You forgot to pay my mom's treatment fees! How could you forget something so important? She almost died because of you!

"And did you skip visiting her this week? What kind of future daughter-in-law are you? I'll give you one more chance. Make the payment within three minutes, or we're done!"

I only wanted to laugh as I listened to his grating voice. His mother was the one in the hospital. If he cared about her, would he need someone else to remind him about the payment? If he were a dutiful son, he would've paid it himself already. Why would he need to wait for me?

I hailed a cab and took one last look at the call screen. "Have it your way, then. We're done."