Proposal No. 18: Still Lost to Her Childhood Sweetheart

My friends got up one by one and surrounded me to comfort me with complicated expressions on their faces.

For eight years, they had grown used to seeing me get left behind by Hailey and had advised me countless times.

Hailey's heart wasn't with me. She only liked Eric.

Whenever he called, it didn't matter if it was a holiday, an anniversary, or even if I were deathly ill—she would give way to him.

But I didn't understand one thing. How could someone who showed off all the time have depression? Even if he did, didn't he have family or friends?

No. He was just purposefully seeking Hailey out and deliberately standing between us to humiliate me.

"It's okay. You guys can stop looking for it. It's not important. Tonight, we drink until we drop."

I wiped the tears from the corner of my eyes, forced a smile, and led the group toward the bar.

While everyone was laughing and making jokes, I looked down at Eric's Instagram post.

Hailey had gone to see him. Unlike with me, she was always careful and sweet with him, speaking softly and gently.

This post felt like a declaration of war against me.

Hailey had bought him matching rings. Their hands were tightly clasped, and their faces pressed together happily.

The caption said, "I'm sad to hear Hailey is getting married, but luckily, my girl said she'll only wear a ring for me in this life."

Those loving words made me feel sick. I grabbed the drink on the table and downed it in one shot, forcing the feeling down.

Everyone at the table noticed my strange mood and tried to comfort me gently.

"Don't be sad. Maybe Hailey just hasn't thought it through. Marriage is different from dating."

"Right! You've been together so many years. It'll work out."

By the end, even my friends sounded uncertain. I liked Eric's post and kept downing shot after shot, as if that could soothe the surging pain in my chest.

My friends fell silent and just kept me company with worried looks in their eyes.

A few minutes later, my phone chimed nonstop with notifications. I looked down to see that it was Hailey texting me.

She had sent many messages, mostly to chide me.

"What are you being so dramatic for? It's just a ring. Why did you have to like Eric's post and make him sad?"

"You're a grown man. I don't understand why you're acting so whiny like a woman. Apologize to Eric right now, or I'll make you regret it!"

I had only liked a post, yet it became my fault. I couldn't help but laugh mockingly. After that, I drank myself into a stupor and stumbled home drunk.

Hailey didn't like the smell of smoke or alcohol, so I had put up with it for eight years. Now, I didn't want to anymore. I staggered into my room and fell asleep immediately.

Hailey hadn't come back, and it didn't take a genius to guess where she was.

I wasn't in the mood to confront her. For the first time ever, I didn't wait up for her or leave a light on. I just slept straight through until the next morning.

…

When I woke up, I was greeted by the sound of Hailey demanding, "What are you doing? Can't you see how messy the house is? There's stuff everywhere. Daniel, if this is your way of acting out, I advise you to forget it. Go make breakfast."

Because of her poor upbringing and my pampering, Hailey had severe stomach issues. She could only eat breakfasts I made, or she'd be uncomfortable all day.

I gave a wry smile and looked at her, sidestepping her as I replied coldly, "Just buy something yourself. I'm going to work."

I would often be in a bad mood whenever Hailey gave me the cold shoulder, so this was nothing new to her.