I Don't Love You Anymore, Please Be A Qualified Ex

At the singles party, my boyfriend and some friends were drinking and playing games.

He was red-faced and tipsy, holding hands with his first love.

"If I hadn't been late that day, you'd be my wife now."

Everyone turned to me, clearly nervous that I might make a scene.

I smiled warmly, took off my wedding ring, and sincerely said, "Congrats on your upcoming wedding. Here's to two kids in three years and three more in five."

——

A month ago, Valentine's Day, was supposed to be the day we tried on wedding dresses.

I arrived at the shop early, waiting for him.

I went over every dress style again and again.

The shop staff whispered among themselves, and a kind employee kept bringing me fresh cups of coffee.

But Jackson Ellis, my fiancé, still didn't show up.

I looked at our conversation, all my messages unanswered, and dialed his number repeatedly.

After what felt like the hundredth try, he finally answered.

"Jackson, is there traffic or something? It's been three hours. Where are you?"

"I'm sorry, Aurora. I forgot. I'm tied up right now. Can we reschedule?"

The background noise was chaotic, not the sound of a meeting.

I turned away and said quietly, "You did this last time, too. Today was your dedicated time. You're telling me you forgot?"

"I'm really sorry, Aurora. I'm just busy right now. I'll call you later…"

Then I heard a woman's voice on the line.

"Jackson, how does this dress look?"

"You…"

Before I could ask anything else, the call ended.

I recognized the voice. It was Rebecca Joyce's, his first love.

I checked Rebecca's social media and, sure enough, she'd posted a photo an hour ago. In it, she was playfully posing in front of a mirror, linked arm-in-arm with a man.

[Shopping with someone to carry my bags. Life is so sweet.]

Ugh, it's her again.

I turned off my phone, ignoring the contents.

Surprisingly, I wasn't even upset. It was all too predictable.

Of course, it was her.

No one but Rebecca could make Jackson miss an appointment.

Jackson is usually so punctual, disciplined, and hates it when his plans are disrupted.

But not when it comes to her.

I've lost count of how many times we've argued because of his broken promises, all of them related to her.

Once, on her birthday, he even gave her my wedding ring.

He said she liked it and told me not to make a fuss, promising to get me a bigger one.

He said he preferred women who were understanding.

It was infuriating. That ring was meant for us, carefully chosen and designed by a jeweler over six months according to my specifications.

How could she just take it?

But he didn't seem to grasp my anger, instead brushing off my hand with impatience. "Is it really worth getting so worked up over? It's not like I'm not buying you another one."

"Can't you stop being so sensitive? We're getting married; there's no chance for me and her. Isn't that enough?"

We were just never on the same page.

After that, we went through a long period of cold silence.

It wasn't always like this.

I used to dread fighting with him. Every argument felt like the world was collapsing, making my heart race and leaving me anxious and sleepless.

I'd even wait until he woke up the next day to apologize, afraid to disturb his rest.

He'd act like he already knew everything, giving me half-hearted kisses and hugs, just enough to make me behave.

It was always like this.

My emotions and thoughts were completely under his control.

After all, I was the one who loved him so deeply and fought for this relationship.

I had to be careful with everything I said and did, terrified he might break up with me if I upset him.

But for an important occasion like trying on wedding dresses, he was the one who set the date.

I knew it meant a lot for him to make time for this, so I agreed and even sent him a few cute emojis.

In reality, I didn't feel the excitement I'd imagined. There was more calm and resignation.

But being stood up again still hurt.

Aurora, you really did this to yourself!

You fell for his empty promises once more.

After leaving the bridal shop, I went to a photo studio and had several sets of pictures taken, from school uniforms to wedding gowns, even though I was the only one in them.

It was my way of saying goodbye to the past.

As for everything related to Jackson, I've given up.

This was just my way of giving my youth a perfect ending.