It was the seventh year of being with Clayton Moss.
I secretly bought a wedding dress and mustered the courage to propose to him.
But unfortunately, I was a few minutes late to the gathering that day.
Just in time to overhear him talking with his friends.
"Sonia Dickson? I'm already tired of her," Clayton said.
Clayton lit a cigarette, smiling lazily: "Seven years, wouldn't you be tired too?"
Those people also followed along with a mocking laugh: "You got that right, seven years, even a supermodel would get boring."
"But Sonia is really beautiful."
"And that body—on Clayton's birthday, she wore that stepmother dress, and every man there couldn't take his eyes off her."
"Seriously, Clayton, you were so into her back then. Can you really let her go now?"
Clayton replied indifferently, "When have I ever lied?"
"Then... if I go after Sonia, you wouldn't mind, right?"
"Go ahead," Clayton blew out a smoke ring casually, "as long as it doesn't gross you out."
Another laughed, "Seriously, you're willing to pick up what Clayton's tired of?"
There was another round of laughter.
That night, I didn't enter the private room. I just found an excuse and said I had a headache, then went home.
Clayton didn't ask a single question before hanging up.
The decision to break up was probably made that night, once and for all.
In just a couple of days, rumors started flying around the circle.
Clayton was reportedly pursuing a sophomore from the acting school, young, fresh, and naive.
His pursuit was always grand and overwhelming.
Just like when he chased after me back then, eager to let the whole world know,
showering me with houses, cars, and jewelry at will.
That young girl had never seen anything like it and fell for him in no time.
At a gathering organized by friends, Clayton brought the girl along.
As soon as they entered, everyone fell silent.
A few girls who were close to me looked over with concern.
I smiled, "Why is everyone so quiet? What are you all looking at me for?"
Clayton wrapped his arm around the girl, sat down, and finally looked at me: "Sonia, today seems like a good opportunity, so I'll just be upfront."
"Alright, go ahead," I replied.
"These years of breaking up and getting back together have been pretty tiresome, and the feelings have long faded," he said.
I clenched my hand tightly, the ring on my middle finger digging deep into my flesh, but I didn't seem to feel the pain.
"Greta Bell is young, pure, and I genuinely like her. I don't want to wrong her," Clayton said, stroking the girl's hair.
He added, "I need to give her a proper title."
I nodded slightly, "I understand."
"We can still be friends in the future. If you ever have any difficulties, you can still come to me. As long as you're in B City, I'll take care of your matters just the same," he offered.
"No, let's not," I replied with a light laugh, standing up.
"Since we're breaking up, let's make a clean break. No need to cause any misunderstandings for the girl."
Clayton raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise, then after a moment said, "You're right."
"You guys enjoy, I'll head out first."
"Want the driver to take you?"
"No need, I'll just take a cab."
As I walked out of the room, casually closing the door behind me, I overheard someone ask,
"How long do you think Sonia will hold out this time?"
"Two days?"
"She seems genuinely upset this time, so I'll bet a week."
Clayton glanced at the not-quite-closed door, a cold smile on his face: "She'll be back, crying, in less than three days." Clayton glanced at the not-quite-closed door, a cold smile on his face: "She'll be back, crying, in less than three days."
"Hasn't it always been like this? It's getting old."
"True, how could Sonia ever leave you? Everyone knows she's madly in love with you..."
I let out a self-deprecating laugh, tightened my grip on my purse, and quickly walked towards the elevator.
