Seven Years of Misguided Love，One Goodbye

I returned to my apartment and pulled out the wedding suit I had tailored for Dylan. In a fit of rage, I tore it to shreds.

Then I opened the closet and gathered all the jewelry Dylan had given me over the years.

Logging onto a second-hand trading website, I listed everything for sale.

Within hours, the items were sold one after another. I donated all the proceeds to the orphanage where I had lived as a child.

My friend Olivia called shortly after, her voice filled with gratitude. “Lydia, thank you for your donation. It’s truly a lifesaver.”

“No need to thank me,” I replied calmly. “It’s all money from a scumbag, so I spent it with a clear conscience.”

The sum was insignificant compared to Dylan’s extravagant lifestyle, but for the orphanage, it could provide the children with a brighter future.

A bitter smile crossed my face as I wrestled with mixed emotions.

“Did you and Dylan... fight again?” Olivia asked cautiously.

“We broke up.”

“You’ve broken up a hundred times before.”

“This time, it’s real.”

“Alright, if you say so,” Olivia said, clearly unconvinced. Then, she changed the subject. “By the way, I want to invite you to my wedding.”

“Wedding?” I paused. “With who? The new boyfriend from three months ago?”

“Yeah, him. We’re holding it at the orphanage. Can you come?”

Without hesitation, I agreed. “Of course.”

It was ironic. I had been with Dylan for seven years and even planned to propose to him, yet we never made it to marriage. Meanwhile, Olivia and her boyfriend of three months were tying the knot.

After hanging up, I immediately booked a ticket and flew to the city where I had spent 18 years of my life.

On the wedding day, the orphanage was decorated warmly and beautifully.

There was no luxurious venue or extravagant setup, but the 30 children served as flower girls and boys, along with their innocent singing, filling the hall with pure and heartfelt joy.

When the groom appeared, the best man beside him instantly caught my attention.

His face seemed familiar, yet I couldn’t quite be sure.

“That best man is so handsome!” I overheard several women whispering nearby.

“Who is he?”

“He’s Ethan, the founder of a successful tech company who grew up at this orphanage. His story is super inspiring—he’s gone viral online!”

My heart skipped a beat—it really was him!

But he was nothing like the lanky boy I remembered. Now, Ethan stood tall and confident, exuding charisma and commanding attention wherever he went.

“Hi, Lydia. Long time no see.” Ethan approached me after a while.

“Hi, Ethan.” I smiled at him, surprised he still remembered me.

At that moment, Olivia tossed her bouquet into the air. It landed right between Ethan and me.

Ethan effortlessly caught it and handed it to me. “They say the person who catches the bouquet at a wedding will have a happy marriage.”

I waved my hand with a bitter smile. “You should keep it. I’m not cut out for marriage.”

Ethan looked at me with a complicated expression. He opened his mouth as if to say something but decided against it.

During the wedding banquet, Olivia’s husband shared their story:

“We had only known each other for three months when I proposed. Many people said it was too rushed, but from the day I met her, I knew she was the one I wanted to spend my life with.”

Listening to his words, I couldn’t help but mock myself.

Yes, if it’s true love, why would it take seven years?

And why would a woman need to propose?

I took a sip of wine, trying to suppress the bitterness rising inside me.

After the party, I stood by the roadside trying to hail a cab, but not a single car stopped.

A light rain began to fall, and a passing car splashed water all over me. I stood there, drenched and disheveled, tears stinging my eyes.

Just then, Ethan walked over, holding an umbrella.

“Need a ride home?” he asked.