My Boyfriend's First Love Provoked Me in Public

2

Our hands formed a sharp contrast. Hers was smooth and fair, while mine was rough and pale yellow.

Howard left with Xanthis, leaving me standing there in a daze. Soon after, I received a text message from Howard.

[Zoe, let's break up. We were just playing around, right? Don't come looking for me anymore. Oh, and don't say anything inappropriate in front of Xanthis, or I can't guarantee what I might do to you.]

Looking at Howard's text message, I felt like I had fallen into an ice cellar, and my whole body was chilled to the bone.

For two years, I always followed Howard's lead without question.

I supported everything he did.

I liked him so much, and he seemed to like me too. Why did it end up like this? Wasn't what I did enough? Why did he abandon me?

I walked aimlessly towards the main hall, lost in my thoughts. Along the way, I accidentally bumped into someone, and he raised his hand to casually adjust his clothes.

Then he lowered his head and looked at me, his thin lips slightly parted as he spoke in an indifferent tone, "Zoe, it's been three years. How did you manage to end up in such a mess?"

It was Chris Jones.

How did he also come back?

I wondered how much of our conversation he had overheard. Maybe he came here just to laugh at me.

Well, I was indeed a mess, like a clown, only deserving of mockery.

"Yeah, Chris, long time no see. I suppose my sorry state is bothering you."

I turned around, intending to leave this place, but his hand pulled me back.

"Don't rush to leave yet. Let me show you something." Chris said, glancing at me before gesturing for me to follow.

As I looked at Chris' figure, my heart grew more bitter. After three years apart, I wondered if his resentment towards me had lessened.

Following Chris through the main hall of the banquet, I suddenly felt the gazes from all directions upon me.

But I knew they were only looking because Chris was by my side.

Chris remained as dazzling as before, drawing eyes wherever he went.

We arrived at a relatively secluded spot where we could see Howard and his close friends, overhearing their conversations.

Xanthis was not present.

"Howard, now that Ms. Stuart has returned, what about the girl before her?"

Howard replied nonchalantly, "I was just playing around with her. We've already broken up. I'm telling you. You don't know how funny she was just now. She almost cried."

Everyone agreed, "Of course, Howard's charm is irresistible, and she is completely infatuated."

Seemingly pleased by their words, Howard wore a smug expression while feigning regret. "Ah, if Xanthis hadn't come back, I could have played with her for another two years. She really had a nice face, great for showing off.

"She was just too conservative and boring, otherwise, I would have fooled her into being mine long ago."

So this was how Howard saw me during these past two years. I couldn't bear to listen any longer.

But then again, how could I, someone like me, be worthy of him? There was no comparison between me and Xanthis, we were completely different people.

It must be because I didn't do well enough that Howard didn't like me.

"Chris, did you intentionally come here to laugh at me? If so, you've achieved your goal. Can I leave now?"

Seeing that I didn't grasp his meaning, Chris became somewhat angry yet also helpless. "Zoe, open your eyes and see. Is a normal relationship supposed to be like this?

"Haven't you figured out what kind of a man Howard really is? Are you insane from being in love? You were not like this before."

Chris' handsome face was filled with anger. I was puzzled by his intense reaction.

Shouldn't he be happy to see me in such a mess after being heartlessly abandoned by Howard?

I indirectly caused the death of someone he liked. It was only natural for him to hate me.

Chris pulled me in front of a mirror and sternly questioned. "Zoe, what have you experienced in these three years?

"Take a look at yourself. Is this still you? Are you still you?"

The person in the mirror had a gaunt face, dry and yellowed hair, and was wearing an ill-fitting white dress.

Was that really me? How did I become like this?

What was I like before?