Sorry, You’re Not Worth Waiting For

“Hey, these pieces of trash... aren’t they the new Piaget jewelry collection?”

“And look, Bowers & Wilkins speakers encrusted with diamonds...”

Sophia seemed to realize something, and her face turned bleak. She forced a smile and said, “Cecilia, how could you bear to throw away such expensive things?”

Samuel tugged at my hand. Initially, he didn't care about the trash I had discarded, but upon hearing Sophia's words, he glanced at the discarded items with a frown. They were all gifts he had given me.

His expression darkened.

I looked at Samuel's neck where the custom-made necklace I had given him was now missing. I had personally put it on him on his birthday, and had also taken it off myself.

“These are just things I don't need anymore. Some are still quite new. If you like them, feel free to keep them.”

Among the discarded items, the necklace I had given Samuel stood out.

I finished speaking, freed my hand from Samuel's grasp, put my headphones back on, and swiftly walked away. I fully expected Samuel to reprimand me for disrespecting his ‘goddess’, but to my surprise, he let me leave without a word.

For the next week, I thought I wouldn't have to see Samuel. But unexpectedly, he cornered me at the library entrance. His eyes shadowed, he startled me as I exited. I tried to bypass him and continue walking, but he grabbed my hand firmly. His gaze was full of impatience, a look I had never encountered before.

Samuel’s expression turned into disbelief as I seized the moment to pull my hand free and asked, “What do you want? Didn't we break up? Aren't you worried about what people will say, seeing us like this?”

Something I said must have hit a nerve. He seemed agitated.

“Didn't we agree on three months? Sophia and I are just playing along! You’re my girlfriend, why are you acting out like this?”

Not sure if he was being serious or just putting on a front, I looked at him, emphasizing each word: “I broke up with you as requested. We have nothing to do with each other anymore.”

Samuel started to panic. He moved closer to embrace me, but I stepped back and held up my hand to stop him.

“Cecilia, what's going on? Are you jealous again?”

“Stop it. I know it was wrong of me to ask for a temporary break, but Sophia asked me for help—I couldn’t refuse. And let's not forget, I publicly announced my engagement to Sophia. If people see us together, it won’t be good for her reputation.”

Even now, explaining and asking for my understanding, he couldn’t stop talking about her. I was done listening.

“There’s no need to explain anymore. You wanted to break up. I agreed. If you’ve loved Sophia for so long, and if she wasn’t against marriage, wouldn’t you have been together already?”

“Why not take this opportunity to turn your act into reality, and fulfill your long-held wish?”

Samuel cut me off, looking irritated. “Sophia and I are not in a relationship! She’s just a childhood friend. I help her when she’s in need, that’s all!”

His words didn’t stir any emotions in me.

Whether she was a family friend or an unrequited first love, it no longer concerned me. If she was just a friend, why would he leave our dates midway to help her repeatedly? Disappear when I lost the most important person in my life. Not even a call or text to apologize afterward.

“I don’t care what your relationship with her is. You don’t need to inform me. Just don’t disturb my life anymore.”

Samuel was about to say something, but the vibration of his phone interrupted him. I glanced at the caller ID—it was Sophia.

Not wanting to linger, I turned and walked away. Behind me, I overheard Samuel answer the call, his voice tender and gentle.

“Sophia, what’s wrong… I’ll be there right away.”