The Night Before My Wedding, He Left Me for His First Love

As soon as I agreed to join him for dinner, Elias's face lit up with a grin.

He reached out to wrap his arm around my shoulder, declaring, “I knew you still loved me.”

I instinctively stepped back to evade his touch and turned to retrieve my car. Elias stood there, frozen, a whirlwind of emotions reflected in his eyes.

I felt no obligation to his feelings anymore; I pressed down on the gas pedal and left without hesitation.

Once the engagement was settled, we would become two parallel lines destined to never intersect again.

Close behind me, Elias trailed in his car, sending messages from a new number every so often: [Are you going to visit my parents with that cold look on your face?]

[Can’t we just work things out and be good to each other from now on?]

I simply ignored him.

When I arrived, his parents had prepared a delightful spread of my favorite dishes, including a tempting plate of lychees I cherished.

“Elsie, you’re finally here! Come in, wash your hands, and let’s dig in!” they called out, encouraging me to step inside. “Don’t just linger there, come on in!”

In the past, I had always arrived bearing gifts whenever I visited, but this time I walked in empty-handed.

Still, they greeted me with the same warm hospitality, not a word about my lack of offerings.

Elias took off his coat and offered it to me, but I merely glanced at it before turning away, indifferent.

He was accustomed to being cared for, and he believed I would continue to look after him, but I had no intention of doing anything for him ever again.

He caught the chill in my gaze, and for a fleeting moment, his smile faltered before he awkwardly hung his coat back up.

Unbeknownst to his parents, the rift between us was far deeper than a mere disagreement.

“Couples argue at the head of the bed but reconcile by morning,” his mother said her voice light. “We might have spoiled Elias a bit, but if he’s done something wrong, just tell us, and we’ll sort it out. We’re still family.”

They cast me apologetic looks, urging Elias to offer some comforting words.

With a hint of grievance in his eyes, Elias turned to me. “I’m sorry.”

I replied with cool indifference, “No need to apologize.”

Stunned, he fell silent as I faced his parents, my voice steady and serious. “Last night, Elias and I ended our relationship. It appears I won’t have the opportunity to be part of your family.”

Elias looked at me in disbelief, a flash of anger flickering across his face.

He must have believed he had already humbled himself enough, unable to comprehend why I wouldn’t relent and forgive him.

But how could conflicts arise without leaving scars? What he had done would forever be a thorn in my heart, even if I chose to forgive him this time.

Thus, rather than prolonging the agony, I opted for a clean break.

The silence grew thick, and the atmosphere turned palpably tense. Just then, a notification chimed from Elias's phone, slicing through the stillness.

He quickly switched off the screen, but not before we caught a glimpse of the message: [Honey, I’m hungry. Can you bring me food at the hotel?]

Instantly, his parents’ faces darkened, and disapproval etched into their expressions as they turned their gaze to Elias.

A flicker of nervousness crossed his face. “It must’ve been sent to the wrong person,” he stammered.

Hearing this, his parents seemed somewhat relieved, and they placed a few pieces of meat on my plate.

Elias, too, added a piece of tacos, oblivious to my allergy; I had always avoided them like the plague.

Remembering the photo from the night before, my appetite vanished.

My eyes fell on a new ring adorning Elias’s finger, its design starkly different from the couple’s ring we had once shared.

It was undeniably a gift from another woman. The sight of him wearing another woman’s ring while attempting to reconcile with me felt utterly laughable.

Just as I prepared to put down my spoon and voice my thoughts, a knock echoed through the room. “Elias? Are you home? It’s me, Valeria.”

Elias’s parents wore puzzled expressions, but a flicker of happiness danced in Elias’s eyes as he awkwardly stood up.

“She’s a colleague. I have no idea why she would come by. I’ll get the door!” he announced.

The moment Valeria stepped in, she settled herself right beside Elias, deliberately showcasing the diamond ring on her finger while serving herself a generous portion of food. I scoffed, realizing how things truly were.

Elias placed a piece of tacos on her plate, his voice cheerful. “Didn’t you say you liked tacos? My mom cooked some today, just in time for you.”

So that was why he had served me tacos earlier. It was her favorite, not mine.

How ironic it was.

After ten years together, he had never once remembered my allergy to tacos. Yet, in three months, he recalled his first love’s preference as if it were etched in his memory.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Elias even had a heart.

Valeria smiled smugly, casting me a provocative glance.

“I didn’t expect you to remember what I like to eat. What a surprise,” she said, her tone dripping with condescension.

Elias’s expression shifted as they exchanged a look that spoke volumes. Their silent conversation was brimming with affection. They truly resembled a couple deeply in love.

Elias’s mother frowned, clearly perplexed. “Why are you only focused on serving yourself? Can’t you look after Elsie a bit more?”

Annoyed, Elias picked up his spoon and fork, though it was evident he did so reluctantly.

I simply pushed my bowl aside, placing the tacos he had served on the table. “Uncle, Auntie, I’ve had enough. Thank you for the meal.”

A hint of panic crossed Elias’s mother’s face. “You’ve barely eaten anything. Is the food not to your taste?”

His parents exchanged worried glances. “There’s no need to hold back. Eat as much as you’d like.”

It was clear they sensed what I was about to say and were trying to steer me away from it.

I stood my ground, shaking my head firmly. “Thank you, but I feel it’s necessary to explain what happened last night.”

I continued, “Because of certain incidents, I’ve come to realize that Elias and I aren’t right for each other, so I’ve already told him I wanted to break up. Although we won’t end up together, I still wish you both health and happiness.”

A stunned “what?” escaped his mother’s lips.