After Overcoming Love Addiction, I Found True Love Again

When did I first fall in love with Dylan?

It must have started when I was 18.

We were classmates in college. From the moment we started freshman year, I was drawn to the boy with bright eyes and a clean, crisp look.

There seemed to be nothing wrong with him.

He was good-looking, smart, and the kind of guy many girls had a crush on.

But he was aloof, and most girls gave up after failing to win him over.

Only I stayed persistent.

I brought him breakfast, bought him drinks, and saved his seats. Anything I could do for him, I did.

I even stood in line all night to buy him limited edition sneakers for his birthday.

All because he liked a post about those shoes on Twitter.

My teenage crush was bold and passionate. I wanted to give him my whole heart.

Back then, many people mocked me, saying I wasn't bad-looking and came from a good family. Why was I acting like a lovesick puppy?

They wondered if Dylan had saved my life or something.

They were right. In a way, Dylan had saved my life once.

From the first moment I saw him, I recognized him as the boy who had helped me long ago.

The crescent-shaped scar on his forehead, hidden by his hair, was something I could never forget.

Sadly, Dylan didn't like me. He was always so cold toward me.

He had a high school sweetheart, a girl who had left the country.

He wanted to follow her, but his family couldn't afford it.

I'd also heard that his high school rival had gone with her.

That guy wasn't better than Dylan in any way, except for one thing.

His family was wealthier.

Maybe because of her, Dylan had a special resentment for people from wealthy families.

Every time I saw him, if I wore anything with a designer label.

He'd mock me mercilessly.

"Evelyn, are you so insecure that you hide behind these expensive brands?

"Evelyn, those shoes are hideous. Chanel? They make me sick.

"Evelyn, your bag looks worse than a shopping basket from the supermarket. Ugly people should study more instead of trying to stand out!"

...

Dylan's harsh words made me uneasy. His relentless taunts were so unlike the gentle boy I remembered.

When I finally found the courage to ask about the past, he blinked and smiled teasingly.

"So you were that girl who got kidnapped back then? No wonder. You were dumb as a kid, and you still are now."

His words weren't kind, but I was thrilled to know he remembered me.

He hadn't forgotten me after all.

He didn't like me wearing designer clothes? Fine, I wouldn't wear them anymore. No big deal.

I could just wear something cheap from discount stores.

Now that I knew I hadn't mistaken him, I treated him even better.

The boy who used to be so kind had turned into someone so sharp and prickly. The society must have done this to him.

I didn't blame him.

Dylan didn't treat me any better after recognizing me.

He remained as distant as ever.

Things changed in our senior year when Dylan's father got very sick. He had a severe kidney disease and needed a transplant.

Fortunately, Dylan's kidney was a match.

He could donate a kidney to his dad.

Unfortunately, they didn't have enough money for the surgery.

I always knew Dylan's family was poor, but I didn't realize just how poor.

His family lived in a small rural village where his parents were farmers. He was the only one in his family to go to college. Their pride and joy.

He had no real way to make money even as the most successful one.

Dylan had a lot of pride and didn't want anyone to know about his family's situation.

That's why, even though he used student loans to pay his tuition all four years, he never applied for financial aid.

He hid it so well that none of his classmates knew the truth about him.

In fact, because I often gave him brand-name shoes and clothes, people even thought he was a rich kid.

Senior year was hectic for everyone, and Dylan was no exception.

That year, he started a business with a few classmates. He didn't want me involved in their startup, so I could hardly find him.

Unfortunately, I was dealing with family issues at the time. It was already too late when I found out what was happening with him.

I found Dylan late one night at a bar.

He looked so miserable.

He was on his knees, trying to sell more drinks, serving those bloated, wealthy men.

I couldn't believe that someone as proud as him would lower himself like that.

My heart ached so much I could barely breathe.

I rushed over and grabbed his hand, trying to pull him out of there.

When Dylan saw me, his eyes were filled with shame he couldn't hide.

"Evelyn, what are you doing here?

"Are you here to laugh at me?

"Well, congratulations. You've seen it. I'm done. My dad is sick and needs a lot of money. My startup has failed, and now all I can do is sell my dignity to survive.

"I have nothing left. Are you happy now? Evelyn, just leave. I need to make money."

His words shattered my heart. I hugged his stiff body and said, "You're not alone. You still have me. Dylan, come with me. We don't have to do this. If it's money you need, I'll give it to you. I'll give you everything."

My words made Dylan's body finally relax.

He seemed so exhausted. Slowly, he leaned against me.

I paid for his father's expensive medical bills, arranged for the best hospital room and doctors.

After Dylan donated his kidney, I took care of him in every possible way.

Those days were hard.

In my memory, they were also some of the most beautiful.

During that time, Dylan stopped being so harsh with me.

After losing a kidney, Dylan was incredibly weak.

I spared no expense, sending him all kinds of tonics and herbal medicine. With my care, he finally recovered in time for graduation.

After the graduation ceremony, I received a bouquet of daisies.

They were from Dylan.

I hadn't realized he even knew I liked daisies.

As the breeze blew, the scar on his forehead became faintly visible.

He looked at me with bright eyes and softly said, "Evelyn, will you be my girlfriend?"