Seven Years of Love, Traded for One Night

She realized too late that her words had crossed a line. "That’s not what I meant; I just..."

Drained and numb, I shook Blair off. “No need to explain. Let’s get a divorce.”

“Just take it as me begging you, let me go.”

Blair froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. “What did you say?”

With my father lying cold in the cemetery and my mother still in the hospital, I didn’t have the strength to argue anymore.

“Let’s end this here.”

Blair stood there, stunned, unable to grasp why I had suddenly brought up divorce.

To her, even when she openly embraced Dawson right in front of me, I hadn't made a scene.

After all, this time, it was just Dawson’s birthday, nothing more in her eyes.

Her gaze drifted downward and landed on the report in my hand. The moment she read the words, her shoulders relaxed, and she let out a long sigh.

“So it’s because your mom’s sick and in the hospital. I knew you wouldn’t get angry over nothing.”

Blair gently took my hands in hers.

“I know it’s been hard on you, looking after Mom all by yourself. That was my fault. But this was Dawson’s first birthday since returning to the country, and he’s lost his entire family. I couldn’t just turn my back on him.”

“Mom only fainted from too much stress; it’s nothing serious. I’ll come with you to the hospital tomorrow, okay? Don’t stay upset.”

She wrapped her arms around me with practiced affection, but the unfamiliar scent clinging to her made my stomach turn.

I suddenly shoved her away and stumbled toward the trash can, retching uncontrollably.

The mango cake she had brought fell to the floor, splattering into a sickening mess.

Her face twisted, both embarrassed and angry. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I work hard every day to support this home. Can’t you stop throwing tantrums over nothing?”

“Do you even know what people are saying about you out there? That you’re a freeloader? That I’m the one keeping this family afloat! Can’t you just wake up and face the truth?”

I stared at her, my voice cold. “Blair, you caused my father’s death.”

She suddenly laughed, sharp and mocking. “Do you take me for a fool? The report clearly says it was your mom who was hospitalized, and just for some minor emotional stress. Who knows who upset her? What does that have to do with me?”

Then her tone softened again, trying to sound gentle.

“I know you’re upset I missed our anniversary. I also know you’ve always wanted to compete with Dawson. How about this, his birthday party cost 360,000. I’ll transfer you 500,000. Is that enough?”

I gave her a cold smile. “Get out.”

Realizing I wasn’t falling for her fake sweetness or subtle threats, Blair dropped the act.

“Suit yourself. Go cool off on your own!”

The door slammed behind her with a loud bang.

I laughed.

I laughed until the sound broke into silence, and tears slipped down my face.

I remembered how she once said I was the only one in her heart, remembered how she had wiped out all my debts like some kind of savior, and remembered how we clung to each other through the darkest times.

But that once tender girl now stood opposite to the cold figure who turned her back on me without hesitation.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, and several messages came from an unknown number.

It was a screenshot.

The other person had simply texted that they had a stomachache, and Blair replied instantly. [On my way.]

There was also a photo of Blair and Dawson leaning close together.

The shirt Dawson wore was the one I had given Blair as an engagement gift.

Then, two more messages appeared. [If I hadn’t gone abroad back then, do you really think she’d have chosen you?]

[Her own father-in-law died, and she didn’t flinch. But I say my stomach hurts, and she runs straight to me. Don’t you feel pathetic?]

I thought of how Blair had told me to calm down just moments earlier, and suddenly, the whole thing felt like a cruel joke.

So that’s why she was in such a rush. She wasn’t escaping the argument. She was running to Dawson.

I submitted my application to go abroad; then I headed to the hospital to see my mother.