Coaxing Her Back

I've been with Hansen Fullerton for seven years. One day, he tells me he's sick of me and dumps me for a younger, more vivacious woman.

I don't kick up a fuss this time. Instead, I throw away my ring and cut up the wedding gown I've just bought. Then, I take a red-eye flight away from Gold City.

His friends place bets on how long it'll take for me to return and beg for reconciliation.

Hansen sneers. "She'll be back in less than three days, crying and begging me to take her back."

However, more than three days pass without any news from me. Hansen loses his cool and calls me for the first time. "You'd better come back once you've had enough of this, Christine."

All he hears is a man's low chuckle on the other end of the line. "You shouldn't have taken this long to pacify a woman, Mr. Fullerton. Look at how someone's already taken her away from you."

Hansen snarls, "Tell Christine to answer the phone!"

Landon Shore lowers his head to kiss me. "She can't—she's still out of it. I have to kiss her awake first."

In the seventh year of being with Hansen Fullerton, I secretly bought a wedding dress and mustered up the courage to propose to him.

But unfortunately, I was a few minutes late to the gathering that night.

I happened to hear his conversation with his friends.

"You mean Christine? I got bored of her ages ago."

Hansen lit up a cigarette and smiled lazily. "It's been seven years. Wouldn't you be sick of her too?"

The group erupted in laughter. "That's true. No matter how beautiful a woman is, she'd lose her charm in seven years."

"But Christine Lane really is gorgeous."

"She has such a great figure. During one of Hansen's birthdays, every guy in the room couldn't stop looking at her when she had that dress on."

"Seriously, Hansen, you were so obsessed with her back then. Are you really willing to let her go now?"

Hansen said indifferently, "Have I ever lied?"

"So… You wouldn't mind if I go after Christine?"

Hansen exhaled some smoke nonchalantly. "Go ahead, as long as you don't find her gross."

"How can you be so pathetic? Why would you take someone Hansen's already tired of?"

There was another round of laughter.

That night, I didn't step into the private room. I left, saying that I had a headache.

Hansen did not even ask me about it before he hung up.

That night was probably when I made up my mind to end things.

A couple of days later, rumors started to spread crazily.

Hansen was chasing after a sophomore from a performing arts academy. She was said to be young and innocent.

His way of pursuing women had always been very grand and overwhelming.

Just like when he pursued me back then, he made sure the whole world knew about it.

He would throw around houses, cars, and jewelry like they were nothing.

The woman had never experienced anything like this. She was completely smitten within days.

Hansen even brought her along to a gathering that was scheduled by some friends.

The moment he entered, everyone fell quiet.

A few close female friends looked at me with some worry.

I smiled. "Why did everyone stop talking? Why are you all looking at me?"

Hansen pulled the woman into his arms before he looked at me. "Christine, this is the perfect opportunity for me to make things clear."

I answered, "Yes, go ahead."

He continued, "Things have been going on and off for us for years, and it's getting boring. Our feelings for each other have dimmed too."

I clenched my hands tightly, and the ring on my middle finger dug into my skin.

But I couldn't even feel the pain.

"Mindy is young and innocent. I really like her and don't want to do anything to hurt her," Hansen said, stroking the woman's hair. "I need to treat her properly."

I nodded. "Yes, I understand."

Hansen remarked, "We'll still be friends after this. If you ever need any help, you can come find me. I'll take care of you as long as you're still in this city."

"Let's not." I let out a laugh as I stood up. "Since we're breaking up, let's make sure it's a clean one. I don't want to cause any misunderstandings."

Hansen raised an eyebrow in surprise before he said, "That's true."

I replied, "Then enjoy your gathering. I'll head out first."

"You want the driver to send you home?" Hansen offered.

"There's no need, I'll take a cab," I said.

I walked out of the room, and when I closed the door, I heard someone ask a question.

"So, how long do you think Christine will last this time?"