Our Love No Longer Remains Original

It wasn't the first time she provoked me.

In the past, I might have lost my temper and angrily pointed at her in front of Brad, saying, "You see? She's doing this on purpose! She's trying to drive a wedge between us!"

But Brad would just ignore me as if he were blind.

"Ashley, can't you let go of your hostility towards Evelyn?

"She's so timid. What if you scare her? Could you live with yourself then?"

Eventually, he got tired of it. No matter what I said, he had only one response. "If it weren't for saving me, would her heart condition have relapsed? Why do you have to nitpick everything with her?"

However, in this world, it was not always the case that the weak were right.

And so it was with love.

But clearly, Brad didn't see it that way.

To him, Evelyn had saved his life, and with her heart condition, her words were his law.

Time and again, Brad let her hurt me, provoke me.

Yet, I was supposedly the one he loved most.

It seemed Brad had forgotten that.

Of course, I knew Evelyn had saved him.

Two years ago, while Brad was on a business trip, a deranged man suddenly burst out, wildly swinging a knife.

Brad was caught off guard, holding a frightened child, and couldn't escape. Evelyn rushed forward and took a knife for him.

When I heard the news, I rushed over.

Evelyn had already been taken to the hospital, and out of guilt and gratitude, Brad took me to see her.

In the hospital, we found out that not only was Evelyn injured, but the shock had also triggered her heart disease to recur.

Brad felt even more guilty.

He compensated Evelyn generously and told her, "If you ever need anything, feel free to ask me."

Evelyn's eyes were nearly glued to him, and she asked, "Really? I can ask you for anything?"

I had a bad feeling about it.

Brad was safe, yet I felt far from happy.

My intuition as a woman told me she might have feelings for Brad.

What should I do?

Later, feeling down, I asked, "Brad, could you ever like her?"

Brad sighed helplessly, "Ashley, don't overthink it. She just happened to save me, that's all.

"Don't worry. If I ever dare to cheat, you can break my penis!"

I was so embarrassed by his half-joking remark that I ignored him for a whole day.

But deep down, I was relieved.

After all, we had known each other for ten whole years since college.

I thought our relationship was strong enough that no one could just interfere.

But soon, I realized I had underestimated human nature.

Evelyn often used excuses like feeling unwell to have Brad come over and keep her company.

Even if her car broke down, the electricity went out, a pipe burst, or she had menstrual cramps, she always called him for even the most minor things.

I finally confirmed that Evelyn had fallen for him.

She was openly pursuing him, using his guilt.

She was also flaunting it in my face.

One more time, when Brad picked up her call and was about to rush over, I lost it. "Brad, she keeps calling you over, can't you see that she likes you?"

Perhaps seeing me so distraught, Brad patiently tried to soothe me. "Ashley, I just feel guilty. A girl living alone, some things in life, men indeed handle better.

"Besides, she once saved my life. I just want to do more for her, to repay her. I don’t want to owe her anything, you understand?"