3
580words
Words failed me. Suddenly, everything about us felt like a joke.
"Say something!"
"Can't you see Jacob is bleeding? Is apologizing really that hard?"
Her words echoed familiar in my mind.
When I was bleeding out from eight stab wounds, she had yelled the same thing at Jacob three years ago.
But now she used it against me.
When I still didn't speak, Sophia snapped. She grabbed a wine glass and hurled it at me.
"Apologize!"
"Or forget about marrying me! I'll make you regret it!"
The glass shattered.
Blood trickled down my forehead to the tip of my nose.
The crowd gasped. Whispers spread through the room.
Only then did Sophia realize she'd gone too far. She froze for a good ten seconds, biting her lip nervously.
"Ms. Sophia."
"Maybe let it go. No need to go this far. This is all my fault—I'll apologize to Mr. Liam."
Right then, Jacob suddenly took responsibility, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.
How cunning! Pretending to mediate, but really pouring fuel on the fire.
"You're the sensible one. But I said what I said, and I won't take it back."
Sophia praised him, then looked at me, her tone softening slightly. "Liam, you know how I am. If I'm happy, everything works out."
I knew that, of course. For five years, I'd worked hard to keep her happy.
But what about my feelings?
Did they not matter?
I took a deep breath and laid it out for her: "Today, you have to choose: him or me."
Instantly, the hope in Sophia's eyes vanished, replaced by disappointment, anger, and finally that superior queen-like attitude.
"Liam Murphy!"
"No signing, no apology? Fine, spend the rest of your life alone!"
Then she grabbed Jacob and stormed off.
He glanced back at me with a victorious smirk.
This time, I had well and truly lost. Watching her walk away, I murmured, "From today on, I have nothing more to do with Sophia Greene."
"It's over."
Sophia paused mid-step but didn't look back.
The room erupted in chatter.
No one expected it to end like this.
After the guests left, the hotel manager hurried over. "Mr. Liam, your father is on the phone."
He handed me the mobile while dabbing the blood from my forehead.
"I heard you and Sophia had a falling out?"
My father asked.
"Yeah."
"I don't want to be with her anymore."
I nodded.
For the first time, when it came to Sophia, my voice was calm.
"My boy, you loved her so much. Would you give up so easily? If you break up, I'll withdraw all support. Sophia will lose everything."
My father's tone was dead serious. "So, I'll give you one night to think it over."
"If you walk away, then walk away completely. No turning back."
Then he hung up.
I couldn't blame him for thinking that way.
I'd spoiled Sophia too much, I couldn't stand to see her unhappy.
I'd rather bear the hurt myself.
Just to see her smile.
I shook my head, pushing those thoughts away. I asked the hotel to keep serving and invited the manager and staff to join me.
Soon, Sophia's father, Robert Greene, still in his hospital gown, rushed into the hotel.
I thought he came from the hospital to comfort me.
But instead, he started scolding.
"Liam Murphy!"
"Have you lost your mind?"
"You waited three years—what's three more? Isn't my granddaughter worth it?"
