I Didn’t Lose a Man. I Lost Dead Weight

On the opening day of the ski resort amusement park,

After overcoming my fear and completing the super ice slide, I excitedly sent a video to my boyfriend, Jameson Farrar. However, to my surprise, the video revealed that the couple beside me on the other slide was Jameson himself, tightly embracing the freshman, Yara Hollis, with a radiant smile on his face.

I confronted Jameson with red eyes, questioning, "Weren't you supposed to be busy? Why are you here?"

He laughed indifferently. "Yara is here on vacation, and as the local host, I'm just showing her around. What's the big deal?"

"When did you become so selfish?"

"Do we really need to make a big deal out of playing a game? If you're so suspicious, what's the point of being in a relationship?"

The sarcasm in Jameson's eyes deeply wounded me. I turned and called my childhood buddy from abroad.

"Does your previous promise still hold? I'm willing!"

Silence extended through the phone, only the whistling wind could be heard.

"What!? Evelyn, what are you saying? Are you serious? You never allowed me to bring it up before."

Recalling the images in the phone video, a sharp pain pierced my heart, making me unconsciously clench my fist, droplets of blood falling onto the snowy ground.

I cleared my throat and pretended to be nonchalant, "It's nothing. I just feel that Jameson and I aren't really suitable for each other."

Roland Merrick hesitated for a moment, his tone filled with concern, "Evelyn, are you alright? Did Jameson do something to hurt you?"

I swallowed my bitterness and gazed faintly at the jubilant crowd. "When did you become so imaginative? It's just a relationship, not a soap opera."

"If you don't accept it, forget about it."

Before I could finish, Roland interrupted hastily, "No, no, that's not what I meant. I'll come to you right now. Wait for me."

The call ended abruptly and I could no longer contain my emotions. I collapsed on the snow, sobbing uncontrollably.

I've always had a fear of heights and never participated in any thrilling activities. I met Jameson during a college team-building event and was unknowingly taken to play the drop tower ride. Compared to the excited faces around me, I was pale, drenched in cold sweat, and my vision blurred. I could only cling tightly to the glass wall.

A male classmate roughly pushed me, and I winced in pain, reflexively shoving his hand away. The commotion made everyone quiet down and ask what was happening. I stammered, "Sorry, I... I have a fear of heights. I can't... can't play this game. Sorry, I'm not doing it on purpose."

The boy who had pushed me quickly recovered and adopted a mocking expression. "Everyone knows that. How could a little princess like you play games meant for ordinary people? We're just not worthy."

"Putting on airs and pretending to be superior. Can't you even come up with a decent excuse? If you're afraid of heights, why are you here? Is it a joke?"

Under his taunting words, everyone surrounded me with unpleasant expressions, mocking my pale face, while a few girls showed disdain.

Instinctively, I stepped back and accidentally bumped into a sturdy chest. It was Jameson Farrar.

"Why do you look so unwell? Are you okay?"

Though we were both in the student council, we had hardly interacted before.

Jameson handed me a tissue and, in front of everyone, pulled me behind him, sternly demanding the boy apologize to me.

"Bullying a girl isn't cool, is it? She's already said she has a fear of heights. Got donkey hair stuffed in your ears? Who planned this team-building event? Why didn't it consider everyone? I want a report on this."

I covertly peeked at Jameson's back, unable to suppress the pounding of my heart. As we spent more time together afterwards, we grew closer and soon fell in love. But I had forgotten that seven years was too long. The Jameson who loved me had slowly disappeared.