A Love Too Late

On New Year's Eve, my boyfriend, Leon Parker, proposed to Charlotte Rain in front of all our relatives. 

I didn’t cry or make a scene. All I wanted was an explanation for the years of love I had invested in him.

Then, I overheard a conversation he had with his brother.

“You’ve been together with Annabelle for so many years. Have you never had any feelings for her?”

“Feelings? What are you talking about? I only kept her around to entertain myself and kill some time.”

“Aren't you worried she’ll leave you?”

“That’s impossible! We’ve been together for five whole years. She’s so used to being with me that she could never leave me even if she wanted to.”

After that, I had a whirlwind marriage with a blind date my family matched me with, and our wedding just so happened to be on the same day as his.

Before his wedding, he was on edge, worried I’d show up to make a scene. That was when he saw the wedding invitation I posted online.

“Mom, could you give me the contact for the blind date you got me the last time?”

There was silence on the other end for a moment before my mother, unsure, asked, “Have you finally made up your mind that you’re going to break up with that Parker brat?”

I smiled bitterly. Scenes from the video I saw just now replayed in my mind again.

Moments ago, a video of Leon Parker proposing to Charlotte Rain had accidentally been posted on his brother’s feed. Now, all of our friends and relatives knew that Leon was getting married. The only problem was that he wasn’t getting married to me, the girl who had been with him for the last five years.

Upon sensing my prolonged silence, my mother proceeded to advise me seriously, “Anna, I’ve told you that Leon is not a man you can count on. I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses.”

“I’ve sent you the contact. Just give it a shot. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll help you find someone else.”

I grunted and chatted with her for a little longer before ending the call.

Then, I heard the sound of the door unlocking. I turned in the direction of the door to see Leon walking into the house. He casually set his bag aside as he always did and then came up to me to hug me.

“I haven’t seen you in two days. Did you miss me?”

I quietly pulled away from his embrace, asking him, “Weren’t you supposed to spend a few more days with your parents? Why are you back so early?”

“I missed you and wanted to come back to see you as soon as possible.”

He reached out to ruffle my hair, but the second he did, I noticed the ring on his middle finger. It was the same one from the video—the matching ring he exchanged with Charlotte in the video I saw yesterday.

Suddenly, I felt a stinging sensation up my nose, accompanied by an urge to cry. I lowered my head and tried to play it off.

Then, I asked candidly, “Leon, we’ve been together for many years. Don’t you think it’s time I meet your parents? Maybe we could start talking about getting married?”

His expression stiffened for a moment before he gave me the usual dismissive answer.

“There’s no need to rush things.”

That was it. My tears finally spilled over, falling onto the floor.

He wouldn’t take me to meet his parents, but he could propose to Charlotte in front of them?

It was New Year's Day yesterday, and he had shot down my suggestion of going back to see his parents with him. He told me he wanted to see them by himself.

I didn't push him, figuring I’d spend the first day of the new year by myself. However, the same night, I saw the video posted online.

Leon was seen getting on his knees and giving a heartfelt vow, promising Charlotte forever. It didn’t take long for the video to get deleted, but I had seared it into my memory.

Beyond heartbroken, I decided to go to his place to confront him, wanting an explanation. However, when I was at the door, I heard him and his cousins chatting inside the house. That was when I realized the love I thought we shared over the last five years was nothing but a farce.

When I recalled what he said, the pain felt as fresh as ever, like a knife twisting in my chest. I looked up at the man whom I loved more than anything in front of me, the tears beginning to pour.

Leon panicked and scrambled for a tissue to wipe my tears with.

“Don’t cry, Anna. You want to meet my parents, don’t you? I’ll find time soon and take you to meet them, I promise.”