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537words2026-01-26 09:11

After eight years together,my boyfriend had a sweet and pretty assistant.
On my birthday,I saw him holding her in his arms,saying,"I've been with her so long,I'm sick of it."
Later,I uncovered more of his dirty secrets.

But I chose play innocent,preparing a grand gift for him at our wedding.
...
On my birthday,Ethan Carter sighed,disappointed,saying he had to work late and couldn't celebrate with me.
I was always understanding,so I shook my head,telling him it was fine,just to take care of himself.
Still,I brought a cake to his office,thinking I'd join him and celebrate at his office.
The office door was locked however,lights off.

I called Ethan,asking where he was.
His tone suggested I was being ridiculous."Didn't I say I'm working late at the office?"
I hung up,a strange unease rising inside me.Why was he lying?
Carrying the cake,I wandered aimlessly until I reached the restaurant we used to frequent.I ordered a few dishes,celebrating alone.

Tears fell onto the sweet cake,turning it bitter and sour.I ate until I was so stuffed that I wanted to throw up.
I crouched by the toilet,vomiting for what seemed to be ages.
My stomach had always been weak—from my childhood in a family that favored my brother,often leaving me hungry.I cherished food,never wasting a bite.
I still remember when Ethan bought me a burger for the first time in my life.I devoured it,not leaving a crumb,almost chewing the ice in my soda.
Ethan was heartbroken,promising to treat me well,never letting me suffer again.
Leaving the bathroom,I spotted Ethan.
I was about to call out when a girl linked arms with him."You were gone for so long!I felt shy,alone with all your friends ."
Ethan chuckled and ruffled her hair."Shy?They won't bite."
The wirds caught in my throat.
I followed them quietly.
They entered a box with some of his buddies.
These guys once called me their"sister-in-law,"but now they were cheering for the girl.
I knew her—Rachel Brooks,Ethan's assistant,hired only six months ago.
Ethan often complained to me about her carelessness.
Curious,I'd asked why he kept her.
He said her background was like mine,and he felt pity for her.Now I understood what"pity"meant.
One of his friends spoke up."Ethan,how're things with Emily?Aren't you getting married next month?"
Ethan's hand lingered on Rachel's waist,his face mocking."I've been with her so long,I'm sick of it."
The room erupted in laughter.
"Only you could stand her this long.I'd have ditched her ages ago."
Something in my brain snapped.
I clenched my fists tight,itching to storm in,slap Ethan,and demand why he'd betrayed me.
But I did nothing in the end except leaving silently.
Ethan pursued me for two years.
Raised in a family that had no love for me,I craved love but feared accepting it.
I'd rather never have it than lose it.
At seventeen,Ethan stood before me,all sincere.His actions proved how much he cared about me,how deeply he loved me.
Eventually,I was moved,letting go of my fears to accept his love.
After eight years,as we were about to get married,he betrayed me.
I smiled bitterly.I thought I'd bet on the right man,that he was different than others.Now I saw it was just a matter of time.
His love was once real,but so was his current disgust.