Ninety-Nine Pardons

How much did my wife love me?

To marry me, she proposed ninety-nine times.

I was not moved until the hundredth.

On our wedding day, I gave her ninety-nine make-up cards.

We agreed that as long as all of them were not used up, I would stay with her.

Five years into our marriage, she used one card every time she went out to be with her crush.

When she reached the ninety-seventh card, she suddenly noticed that I had changed.

I no longer begged for her to stay.

When she lost control because of her adorable secretary, I asked her, “If you don't come back tonight, can I use a make-up card?”

She paused for a moment and then softened, which was rare for her.

“Okay.”

I nodded and let her leave.

She thought she still had many make-up cards. She didn't realize this was his last chance.

Today was the celebration for Lawson Corp’s win of the East City project.

It was also the third day after I was discharged from the hospital following my liver surgery.

When Yvette Lawson’s adorable secretary knocked over the champagne tower, and the client was soaked, her first reaction was to shield him behind her.

Then, she turned to me and said, “Yoel, apologize to Mr. Lewis.”

I froze. I was unable to believe it.

The client frowned and angrily pointed at Connor Zeller.

“Ms. Lawson, it was that man’s fault. I want him to apologize to me.”

Connor frowned. He tugged on Yvette’s sleeve as if he needed help. He looked deeply hurt.

Yvette patted his hand gently, then she looked straight at me.

“What are you waiting for? Go and toast to Mr. Lewis.

“One glass. If that’s not enough, then two. If two aren’t enough, three. You have to calm him down.”

She forgot that I had just left the hospital and could not drink.

Maybe she did not care at all.

The people around us whispered to each other. Their eyes shone with pity for me.

Everyone knew it was not my fault.

All of them could see that Yvette was determined to protect Connor.

I wanted to refuse, but Yvette seemed to have some expectations. She mouthed something at me.

“Make-up card.”

Back then, to marry me, Yvette had proposed ninety-nine times. I had refused all ninety-nine times.

I thought she would give up. But on the hundredth time, Yvette gathered all my family and friends.

She swore and said in front of everyone, “Yoel, you’re the only one for me. If you say no, I’ll keep asking you until you say yes.”

Her unwavering love moved me, and I finally said yes.

To return her love, I had made ninety-nine make-up cards on our wedding night.

We agreed that as long as the cards were not used up, we would never be apart.

For the first three years, Yvette treasured them. She did not use even a single one.

Then, Connor appeared in her life. In just two years, she had used ninety-six of them.

This was the ninety-seventh.

I gripped the wine glass so tightly that my knuckles went white. I forced out a smile and walked up to Mr. Lewis.

“Mr. Lewis, here’s to you.”

He sighed and told me to take just a sip.

I smiled and drank the whole glass of red wine.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Yvette affectionately hold Connor’s hand. She said, “Silly, don’t run so fast next time. What if you get hurt?”