No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

The burning sensation in my throat scorched its way straight to my heart as I finally broke the silence between Ernest and me, "I won't disturb your ring shopping spree anymore. Goodbye!"

With that, I ended the call with such force it felt like my fingers broke along with the connection.

I just stood there, motionless, until Conrad approached.

Seeing him get closer, I quickly lowered my head and sped toward the elevator entrance, passing by Conrad, I mumbled, "Wait for me, I need to pack my bags."

"I'll come up with you," Conrad offered.

"No need, I can manage on my own," I declined loudly, quickening my pace.

But Conrad followed anyway. "What's wrong?"

He had noticed something was off.

My heart was already in a sour state, and his question nearly made me burst into tears on the spot. But I knew I couldn't cry, I couldn't let Conrad see my weakness.

Back when I had decided to be with Ernest, I had boasted about it in front of Conrad with so much pride and confidence. And now, I felt as though I had been slapped in the face.

Suppressing the overwhelming sadness, I put on a facade of strength, "Conrad, it's not right for you to come up with me."

He looked at me sincerely, saying, "I mean no harm. I just want to make sure nothing untoward happens. I'll stay outside the door."

He didn't want to leave, and frankly, I needed some space to nurse my bleeding heart.

I thought I had moved on from Ernest, but a single sentence over the phone proved me wrong. I hadn't let go at all, and it still mattered so much to

me.

Just a few words had crushed me...

"Whatever could go wrong? Aren't you being a bit too cautious?" In the end, my bad mood lashed out at Conrad.

He looked slightly embarrassed but didn't say anything and followed me into the elevator.

The feeling of being inescapably entangled suffocated me, especially in such a confined space as the elevator.

The changing numbers on the

elevator panel felt like a catalyst,

igniting the turmoil in my chest until

it felt like I was about to explode. Finally, the elevator reached my floor.

I stormed out, with Conrad close behind.

"I'll be right outside if you need anything," he reminded me at the door.

Without a word, I entered andBelongs to NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

slammed the door shut, leaning

against it. I dug my fingers into the sturdy door, trying to suppress the

discomfort rising in my throat.

But knowing someone was still outside, I bit my lip so hard it might as well have been bleeding, but it was no use. It couldn't mask the pain deep within.

Tears inevitably escaped. I closed my eyes, trying to stop them, but it was futile.

Gradually, I slid down, ending up crouched beside the door, curling into myself, burying my face between my knees.

Memories of Ernest's proposal and his words to me were crystal clear in my mind.

How could he so easily go choose a ring with someone else?

Here I am, in a foreign land, surrounded by danger, my life hanging by a thread, and there he is, leisurely preparing for his wedding with his fiancée.

No wonder he sent me here under the guise of protection. It was just surveillance, making sure I didn't run back to ruin his plans.

The more I thought about it, the more unbearable the pain became, like I was suffocating, like my heart could burst at any moment and I would die...

I couldn't take it anymore and forced myself to look up, only to freeze. At some point, a man had taken a seat opposite me.

He looked at me with pity, shaking

his head in disdain as if I were a pitiful creature. When he caught me staring, he didn't show any discomfort; instead, he looked annoyed.

My nerves tensed, and for a moment, I forgot how to react, even how to be afraid, stupidly asking, "Who are you? How did you get into my room?"