After the Breakup, I Rejected His Redemption

All the blood in my body instantly froze. I grew up with my grandfather. The year my parents got divorced, I was still very young. They both wanted to move on with their new lives. Neither of them wanted to take a burden with them.

They lied to me, saying they were just too busy. They promised that when I got older, they would come back. Year after year, I waited, but no one ever came back. Years later, I no longer let it bother me. I just never expected that my pain would one day become a weapon for William to attack me with.

Until just yesterday, he was the warmest sunshine in my world. I turned to the door to change my shoes.

William softened his tone and asked, "Where are you going?"

I didn't answer, continuing to put on my shoes.

He grew anxious. "You... at least take your medicine with you. Come back early, I'll make dinner tonight."

As the door closed, a mist suddenly rose before my eyes. Back then, I was the one who pursued William. I liked his gentleness and humor, I was always happy with him. One day, he hugged me without saying a word.

The uncertain relationship made me anxious, so I took the initiative to break the ice. Unexpectedly, he rejected me. He said he only saw me as a friend. Though I was sad, I respected his feelings. We agreed to move on from this.

I stopped accepting his invitations and kept my distance. But he suddenly became more enthusiastic, started talking about topics I liked and got involved in my interests.

For many days, I woke up to find long messages from him sent late at night. I was very confused. I asked him, "Don't you understand what it means to move on? What do you really want?"

He called, his voice was stammering. "Do... do your words still count? If given the chance, I'd like to know you better. I mean, would you be my girlfriend?"

I confirmed with him many times. He said he rejected me before because he was actually very nervous. In his panic, he said foolish things. He regretted it right away. I really believed him at that time.

And over the years, with his considerate care, I never doubted him. Looking back now, all the signs were there. He had always been someone who enjoyed the game of ambiguity.

I sniffed, heading straight to the nursing home from the underground garage. When I arrived, Grandpa was playing chess with Casey. I pulled up a chair and sat beside Grandpa.

Casey scratched his head. "Isn't his birthday in a few days? Why are you here today? Did I get the date wrong?"

I had known Casey since university. After graduating, he didn't work in his field. Instead, he roamed around the nursing home. Which made sense, as this was the most famous nursing home in Colorado Springs, owned by his family.

Grandpa made a move, putting Casey in check. "Regina can come whenever she wants."

Grandpa's words made me laugh. I stayed at the nursing home for a few days, during which William called me many times. I didn't answer any of them.

Until I almost ran out of the medicine I had brought with me, I returned home while William was at work. Besides the medicine, I packed a few clothes in a suitcase. Suddenly, I heard a key turning in the door. My heart tightened.

The person opening the door hesitantly asked, "William? Is that you?"

It was his ex-girlfriend's voice! Why does she have a key to my house?

I quickly walked out of the room and she froze for a moment. But she quickly recovered her smiling demeanor. "Sorry, I heard some noise upstairs and thought William was back."

She walked familiarly into the kitchen, busying herself for a few minutes before bringing out two glasses of lemon water, looking every bit like the hostess and said, "I lived here for a few years, so I'm familiar with the place. William asked me to keep a key, I hope you don't mind. Do you want ice?"

I looked at her coldly and said, "Get out."

She stopped what she was doing and looked up at me. "You probably don't know. You two being together was thanks to me. I was the one who persuaded him to give it a try. It took a lot of effort before he agreed."

I tried to remain calm, but my heart was suddenly in knots.

Her condescending, indifferent tone made it feel like this relationship was something she had bestowed upon me. The woman in front of me took a sip from her glass, looking completely at ease.

She continued, "But don't worry, I was the one who initiated the breakup. The year we separated, my job was still unstable. William was worried about me, so he rented the apartment downstairs for me."

"The rent has always been paid by him. I wanted to repay him, but he refused." She got up and walked around the house, finally stopping in front of the fridge.

"This little pink stove from the Denver Museum, there's a flaw on the back. Did you notice? It wasn't intentional to leave the imperfect one for you, it's just that the others were indeed better looking. If you look carefully around this house, you'll find many Easter eggs from when we were together. I didn't expect him to keep them all." She gave an innocent yet malicious smile.

"I almost feel sorry for you."