Loved You for 10 Years, and You Said She’s the One

I stared blankly at the receipt in my hand, lost in thought, when Ulysses suddenly burst into the bathroom.

Seeing the receipt in my hand, a flicker of panic flashed in his eyes.

"Don't get the wrong idea. The boss pissed off his wife and asked me to run an errand for him..."

His nervousness eased some of the disappointment in my heart.

I deliberately dragged out the end of my sentence, "Oh... is that so..."

"What else could it be!"

His face suddenly showed impatience, and the blame in his voice made me seem completely unreasonable.

In that moment, I suddenly realized that the man in front of me couldn't even be bothered to appease me anymore.

I had a restless night, tossing and turning, almost dreaming of the distant past.

I was cornered by a few bullies in the school bathroom.

So what if you're pretty? Look at those sneakers; they're falling apart, your big toe sticking out...

So what if you're smart? Even if you get into a prestigious school, you're still an unloved, unwanted loser...

Their sharp taunts and scornful gazes made me wish I could disappear into the ground.

I was tossed around like a human soccer ball, filled with panic, anger, and helplessness...

A hard kick between my legs sent me sprawling toward the sink!

"Ah..."

I sat up abruptly, cold sweat beading on my forehead, the remnants of the dream leaving me shaken.

"Another nightmare?"

Ulysses' voice was hoarse and filled with resignation as he pulled me into his arms, his hand habitually soothing my back with gentle, rhythmic pats.

In these moments, I felt that Ulysses did love me. Otherwise, why would he be so tender?

I shook my head vigorously, trying to dispel the lingering images from my mind.

"Heh, silly. It was just a dream..."

Seeing my foolish expression, Ulysses gently ruffled my hair. Just when I thought he would kiss and comfort me as he used to, waiting until I calmed down before holding me to sleep, he suddenly let go of me and turned his back.

His warmth still lingered on my body, but my heart felt painfully empty the moment he released me.

It was at this clear moment that I realized it wasn't his work that had a problem.

It was his feelings for me that had changed...

Not long ago, he was asking me about plans for our wedding, discussing details and preparations.

Why did everything change so suddenly?

I stared wide-eyed, feeling lost.

The thought of that dream brought back the old scars I thought I had buried deep, now threatening to reopen.

My family was well-off, both parents holding significant government positions.

Yet, I had never been valued much. Mainly because my parents heavily favored sons, and I was, unfortunately, the eldest daughter.

The less attention I received from my parents, the more fearful I became of them. Through my adolescent years, this had driven me to extreme self-doubt and timidity.

Ulysses appeared during that dark time. I had been pushed, my forehead hitting the edge of the sink.

Bloodied and dazed, I stumbled out of the bathroom, crashing into Ulysses who was just exiting the men's room.

Many chaotic memories have since blurred, but I distinctly recall Ulysses' frightened eyes and the warmth of his hand pressed against my wounded forehead.

Ulysses' presence was a beacon of light in my life.