Ditched Before the Wedding

I worry that even Wayne Robinson has forgotten.

He was the one who pursued me, confessing his feelings. We met through a mutual friend, discovering a whole range of shared interests in our conversations. Wayne was captivating, always engaging in his conversations, and it was impossible not to be charmed by him.

So, naturally, we ended up together. He'd text me good morning and goodnight every day, offer me a comforting cup of hot chocolate during my time of the month, and he'd surprise me with bouquets for every occasion. Back then, I truly believed I was the happiest person in the world.

Then, as we started discussing marriage, his childhood friend Maya Spencer returned from abroad. Normally composed, Wayne seemed to become someone else. All the tenderness he once showered on me was now reserved for Maya.

He stopped sharing little stories with me, opting instead to accompany Maya on midnight walks. When I was stuck in bed with a fever, they were out at concerts. He even forgot my birthday, busy helping Maya's dog give birth, leaving me alone at the restaurant. From that day on, I never received another flower from Wayne, simply because Maya was allergic to pollen.

"If Maya finds out, she'd be upset. I don't want her to be sad!"

This led to countless arguments between us over the past few months. Wayne would always assure me, "I just see Maya as a sister. Why are you so jealous?"

"If I'm openly talking about her, it proves there's nothing between us!"

As his fiancée, I was always the one left behind. I finally saw the truth. Love is hard to hide, but so is the absence of it. Wayne, perhaps, never loved me at all. And my dream of a future with him was nothing but a sad joke.

Maya pouted and offered a half-hearted apology. "Evelyn, I didn't mean to upset you. I could cut my hair too, to make up for it..."

She looked at me earnestly, eyes slightly red. I laughed softly, "Go ahead, then."

Maya's expression froze for a moment. "As long as you and Wayne don't fight because of me, I'll do anything..."

She looked on the verge of tears, but the scissors in her hand never moved. Her pitiful demeanor only made Wayne more protective of her. He glared at me as if I were the enemy.

"Evelyn, if you have a problem, take it up with me!" he snapped. "Maya is like a sister to me. Do you, as her future sister-in-law, have to make things difficult for her?"

I paused, feeling a sharp pain in my chest. Of course, Maya was the one he would always protect. I let out a bitter smile and stood to leave. Behind me, I heard Wayne's angry voice.

"So what if she trimmed a bit of your hair? If you want to leave, then leave. No one's going to indulge your tantrums!"

It seemed he had forgotten. Before dating Wayne, I’d always kept my hair short. It was his offhand remark, "I want to see you in a long, flowing Victorian-style dress on our wedding day," that made me grow it out, taking special care of it. But now, all of that was ruined.

Laughter from the party floated through the door. Once, I would have broken down in tears, overwhelmed by his indifference. But at that moment, I felt nothing.

I touched my face, feeling for tears that never came. Finally, I had freed myself from this stifling relationship.

I took out my phone to call a cab home and saw a message from my mentor, Travis Webb. Once again, he urged me to join the national research team. I had received this offer last year but turned it down because it meant being away for at least three years. I couldn't bear to leave Wayne.

When Travis learned why I hesitated, he was disappointed. "Men won't appreciate you sacrificing your career for them, Evelyn. You'll only regret it later!"

Back then, I was sure about my choice, trusting in Wayne's love and wanting just a simple, happy life with him. But reality proved me wrong, and now I'm ready to make the right choice.

When I informed Travis of my decision to join the research team, he immediately sent over the necessary paperwork and called to remind me to expedite the process. "The team leaves in two weeks. Will you be ready in time?"

I responded with a smile, "I won't hold anyone back."

There's just enough time to call off this engagement.