The One Who Got Away

Rosa's long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her smile was the perfect blend of guileless charm and feline cunning.

"I know, I know. But I just love this one," she said to the manager.

She was about to say more when she suddenly spotted Dominic and me standing not far away from her. Her expression shifted to one of surprise before settling into a smile. "Hello, Mr Cruz, Ms. Baird!"

She quickly approached me, reaching out to grab my hand. But then she paused when she noticed the lunchbox I was holding.

"Mr. Cruz, Ms. Baird, today marks the 1,000th day my boyfriend and I have been together. This wedding dress is absolutely gorgeous. It even has 1,000 pearls on it. Ms. Baird, you're not angry, are you? Sorry, I just couldn't resist trying it on."

Rosa flashed an apologetic smile at me.

Three months ago, on the very day I learned I had cancer, I received a WhatsApp message from Rosa for the first time.

It turned out they had already been together for 1,000 days—two years and nine months. And Dominic and I had only been married for three years. So, they’d been together for a long time.

No wonder the first thing Dominic did when he came home from work was shower and change his shirt. All those nights he claimed to be working late were spent in the arms of another.

I finally came to a decision after wavering for a while.

Well, there were only two days left anyway. Since Dominic liked to put on a show, I would just play along.

Dominic suddenly erupted in anger. "Take it off right now! You don't deserve a dress like this!"

The smile on Rosa's face instantly faded into a look of hurt. "Mr. Cruz, Ms. Baird isn't even angry—"

But Dominic only grew angrier. "Don't make me take it off for you!"

"Mr. Cruz, I'm sorry. I'll take it off right away." Her eyes welled up with tears, making her look pitiful indeed.

"That's not necessary. I don't want something that's already been tainted. Ms. Kerr, you can keep the dress if you like."

I randomly pointed to another dress, and the shop manager swiftly retrieved it for me. From start to finish, I didn't spare Rosa a glance. After all, if it weren't for Dominic, she wouldn't have dared to act so cocky in front of me.

"Wait here for me. I'll get your wedding dress off her," Dominic said to me.

With that, he forcefully grabbed Rosa's wrist and dragged her into the fitting room.

Everyone else fell silent and kept their heads down, afraid to get involved.

A long time passed, but he never returned.

My phone screen lit up with a new message.

"Come to the fitting room."

When I reached the fitting room door, I heard Dominic's low growl.

"You're not worthy of wearing the wedding dress I designed for Yvonne! You should know your place!"

"I only did it because I love you so much. My legs are still weak from last night. What should I do? My whole body is covered in your marks. Do you want to see them?" Rosa whimpered coquettishly.

Dominic's hoarse reply came through. "Don't covet what's not yours. My heart belongs only to Yvonne. As for the dress, you'll take it off in front of me. If you've damaged it, I'll make you pay with your body."

Then came the sound of fabric rustling and labored breathing.

"You even wore the bunny tail outside?"

Rosa giggled, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness. "You don't like it?"

The only response was Dominic's increasingly ragged breathing.

In the end, Dominic returned with the wedding dress, his expression apologetic.

"Yvonne, there's still time. I'll design a new one for you."

"No, it's okay. I'll wear the one I tried on earlier."

The next day, as I followed the staff to the Gemini Towers, Dominic called me.

"Yvonne, I have another surprise for you today," he said mysteriously.

As the canvas in the center of the banquet hall was slowly unveiled, it revealed the last painting my parents had left behind before they passed away.

All the hotel staff around me started whispering amongst themselves.