Sorry, I Still Love You

"I saw."

I nodded and replied.

"Then, didn't you hear me say that Luke gave it?" Rachel added.

I was slightly stunned and took the ring from her hand.

"What are you doing? Don't be reckless! You can't throw it away! I really like this ring!"

Rachel raised her eyebrows and immediately put on a haughty attitude again, just like before.

She enjoyed playing with my emotions.

"The ring is very beautiful. Wear it well and don't lose it."

As I spoke, I put the ring on her ring finger and walked calmly into the study.

Actually, the moment I saw the ring, I recognized it as Luke's. He had posted on Instagram about it, claiming that it was custom-made abroad and worth hundreds of thousands.

In fact, it was just a cheap plastic ring that probably cost less than two dollars.

Besides, most of what Luke possessed was fake, including the gifts he gave to Rachel, which were often of low quality.

I reminded her, but she didn't believe it.

I thought she was just naive until one time when Luke gave her a pendant worth five hundred thousand dollars.

As a result, it was determined to be a fake and worth at most fifty dollars.

I excitedly showed Rachel the appraisal report, but she glanced at it and threw it into the trash, saying, "So what if it's fake? I like it anyway."

At that moment, I understood.

Why did she casually give the diamond ring I gave her to her best friend?

Why did she treat the rags Luke gave her as treasures?

It turned out that the authenticity didn't matter.

It was just a case of loving someone and everything that was related to them.

Because of that, I was filled with immense panic at the time. I was afraid that Rachel would leave me and return to the arms of Luke, her first love. That was why I became even more submissive.

I was too foolish and naive.

But now, it was different.

When I finished writing the application form and came out of the study, Rachel was nowhere to be seen.

Obviously, she became even angrier after I repeatedly rejected the opportunities she offered me.

But what did this have to do with me?

I didn't care anymore.

I wouldn't search for her everywhere like I used to and watch her standing on the street, arms crossed, coldly looking down at me as I apologized over and over again.

Now, I would just take care of myself like I did last night.

Besides, I had planned to leave this city to do something meaningful.

I wanted to be like my parents and go to remote areas to teach.

Since I was a child, I admired my parents and dreamed of becoming a teacher and providing more children with the opportunity to learn knowledge.

Later, I became a teacher, but I also fell in love and tied myself down for Rachel.

Every day, my thoughts revolved around her.

I would think about what dishes to cook for her, how to make her happy, and what gifts to buy for her.

I would think about helping her optimize her teaching materials and even substitute for her in training classes.

In short, everything revolved around Rachel.

But what did I get in return for wasting so much energy?

Rachel's hot and cold attitude and Luke's provocative flaunting caused my emotions to collapse.

I often felt depressed and unmotivated, making it difficult for me to focus on teaching.

Now, I could finally calm down.

I called my father and told him what I was thinking.

"Clement, living conditions in the mountainous areas are harsh, unlike the hustle and bustle of the city. Have you thought it through?" my father asked.

"I've thought about it.

If you and my mother can persevere, then I can definitely do it, too," I replied with a smile.

Amidst the worldly chaos, desires often captivated our eyes, but the lush greenery of the mountainous areas was full of upward vitality.

Nature was the best medicine, enriching my spiritual world.

Moreover, as compared to the torment of enduring daily mental anguish, physical hardship was nothing.

As for why my father didn't mention Rachel, it was because she never let me tell my family about her.

Neither Rachel nor I had spoken for several days.

I no longer had to get up early to cook for her, nor did I have to massage her legs at night. I didn't have to worry about her anymore, and life had become much more relaxed.

The students all said that I looked much better.

This morning, Rachel slammed the door and left again.

I still ignored her, but as soon as I arrived at school, I received a call from her best friend, Anna Gray.

"Clement, are you still a man? How dare you treat Rachel like this?

If you don't love her anymore, just say it directly. What's with the silent treatment?

Do you even have the right to do that?"

Anna was furious and started to accuse me.