Six Years of Unrequited Foolishness

I left that so-called home, and tears streamed down my face.

In six years of marriage, I had wasted my prime on such a woman.

It was truly not worth it.

I couldn't help but think how different things might have been if I hadn't accepted the candy Bella offered that year.

I had just graduated from university and was new to the workforce, clueless about everything.

Once, my boss made me stay late to revise a project.

After I finished it, it was already past eleven. In the pouring rain, hailing a cab was difficult, so I just squatted at the entrance, lost in thought. Bella pulled over and handed me an umbrella and a piece of candy.

"We've met before. I'm the person in charge of the project you're working on. I have a deep impression of you. Your business skills are excellent."

Bella invited me into her car and offered me a ride home.

She adjusted the air conditioning carefully to a comfortable temperature, praised my strong work ethic, and said I was shining. We exchanged contact information.

I knew there was a massive gap between our social statuses and didn't dare to entertain any romantic thoughts about her.

Even though there was a small expectation in my heart, I remained rational.

But Bella started to appear in front of me frequently. She would come to our company under the pretext of discussing work and specifically ask for me to report.

She also occasionally treated the whole company to coffee. Everyone else got the same, but mine was always perfectly tailored to my taste.

After a while, my colleagues started gossiping about us.

I was at a loss for words, but Bella came from behind and hugged my arm.

"I'm pursuing Ethan. He's so outstanding. If I don't put in extra effort, how can I stand out among the many admirers?"

From then on, Bella became bolder—sending flowers and gifts, driving me to and from work, and preparing surprises every now and then.

How could I not be moved by such gestures from a powerful businesswoman?

So, I accepted her pursuit.

That day, she gave me a ring and put a piece of candy in my mouth.

"I may not be romantic, but I can make money. From now on, I will make your life as sweet as this candy."

Naively, I believed her and let Bella trick me with a piece of candy to give her my youth.

Then, after being drained of my worth, she gave her candy to a younger, more handsome man.