The Rose is No Longer Gentle, Nor is Her Love

I arrived soaking wet, looking disheveled in front of everyone. Bradley deliberately quickened his pace, distancing himself from me. It was as if he was afraid of being associated with me.

Veronica pouted in displeasure when she saw me. I overheard Bradley whispering to her, "I don't feel sorry for her, I just want to embarrass her. I want everyone to know that without me, she's worse off than a dog."

Surrounded by mocking and confused stares, I felt nothing. Perhaps I had been hurt too many times to feel pain anymore.

I raised my hand and asked a waiter for a blanket and then I was sitting on the sofa, watching people come and go. Just then, Merryl called me.

She said she had contacted a few companies and I could interview with them anytime. Before I could hang up, a hand suddenly landed on my shoulder.

I turned to see Bradley, looking puzzled and he asked, "Who are you talking to? What interview? Where do you plan to go?"

I lied casually, "Telemarketing."

Bradley's frown slowly relaxed, he said, "That makes sense. Your parents don't want you anymore, so where could you possibly go? The rain outside has stopped. There's nothing for you to do here. Go home. When you get home, don't forget to wash my coat."

I didn't reply. I tossed Bradley's coat onto the sofa.

Veronica tilted her head, staring at me for a moment before insisting that Bradley accompany me out.

As I reached the roadside, she suddenly stuck out her foot, tripping me. I lost control and fell into the rose bushes nearby.

"Yasmine!" Bradley reached out to grab me.

But when Veronica yelped, he immediately turned to shield her, leaving me to fall into the thorns. The sharp rose thorns cut deep into my skin, leaving me covered in scratches.

The muddy ground only amplified my misery. I struggled to get up, just in time to see Bradley gently bending down, wiping the splashes of mud from Veronica's shoes.

He glanced at me, a flicker of guilt flashing in his eyes when he said, "Yasmine, are you okay? I can take you to the hospital …"

"Bradley," Veronica's eyes filled with tears. "You promised to stay with me today. It's our hand-holding anniversary. How could you leave me alone?"

Bradley's gaze shifted between the two of us, hesitating.

"I'll go to the hospital by myself. It wouldn't look good for you to leave early since you're the boss," I finally said.

He sighed in relief. "Alright, take care of yourself. I'll bring you your favorite pineapple cakes when I get home." Pineapple cakes were actually Veronica's favorite. But there was no point in correcting him.

No matter when, I was always the one left behind, the one sacrificed. Rather than foolishly waiting for love that was never mine, I decided to be smart and leave early.

At the hospital, the doctor carefully removed the thorns embedded in my skin. It felt as though the years of love I had clung to left me along with those thorns.

The next morning, Bradley made a rare WhatsApp call to me, "Why aren't you answering your phone?"

"Didn't you block me?" I asked back.

After a moment's pause, he replied, "I'll be home in half an hour. I brought you fresh pineapple cakes and egg tarts. By the way, I also bought a new engagement ring. I know I've wronged you these past few days. It won't happen again."

I glanced at the time and replied calmly, "There won't be a next time for us." Unfortunately, Bradley had already hung up. There were still three hours left until noon.

I opened his laptop and tried several passwords. Eventually, I unlocked it with Veronica's birthday. I sat there in front of the computer, waiting for Bradley. Half an hour passed. An hour passed.

I opened my phone to find Veronica had posted a new update. She was sitting in Bradley's passenger seat, their fingers intertwined, both wearing the latest engagement rings. I smiled.

Using his account, I sent the story of our seven years together, along with the evidence of his affair I had collected, to everyone at his company.

Then I smashed the computer, grabbed my suitcase and headed to the airport alone. As I was going through security, countless messages and calls flooded in.