Chapter 27
Standing Before Love
Two servers were chatting quietly while carrying the flowers into the hotel.
The group of people walked out of the hotel without paying much attention to their surroundings. After all, they were used to seeing wealthy men from the younger generation spending frivolously for the sake of pursuing a woman.
Nevertheless, Tony, who was leading the group, came to a sudden stop and he asked the two of the servers, âWho is spending so lavishly today?â
These two servers had worked in the Ritz Carlton for quite some time, so naturally they recognized a man of Tonyâs stature. Nevertheless, they were anxious due to his abrupt question, coupled with his frosty expression. One of them answered tentatively, âItâs Director Chase, who is the director of the Chase Group. He booked the entire first floor of the Ritz Carlton and I heard that it is to celebrate the birthday of a female model!â
âWhat?â Elsie shrieked loudly all of a sudden.
Myra felt fortunate that Elsie was present at that momentâat least she wasnât the one embarrassing herself in front of everybody. He phoned me earlier while venting his frustrations on me but now, he is celebrating another womanâs birthday. I canât believe I harbored hope for him earlier because I thought that he was jealous and that he had feelings for me. In any case, I just realized that I am a fool right now!
She sensed Sasha turning to look at her, so Myra turned her head away in embarrassment.
âDirector Hart, c-can I help you with anything else?â the server asked carefully.
Elsie realized that she had just embarrassed herself earlier, so her expression soured slightly.
Tony casually glanced at Myra, who had turned away, and he narrowed his eyes slightly. After that, he turned to look at the roses in the serverâs hands while commenting indifferently, âThe flowers are pretty.â With that, he continued moving forward.
Elsie stomped her feet but she followed him in a hurry.
Meanwhile, Myra and Sasha fell behind. Sasha hesitated for a while but she approached Myra while reassuring her worriedly, âMyra, donât be sad. Iâm sure that the model is pestering Sean. Surely thereâs a misunderstanding here.â
âThere is no misunderstanding.â Myra wore a blank expression.
Sasha was about to say something but Myra had already walked ahead and left her behind.
Why would there be any misunderstanding? Sean has always flaunted his passionate relationships with other women. You can easily spot him by flipping through any tabloids; he is always with different women.
Sasha, who was standing behind, smirked when she regarded Myraâs desolate figure.
Myra wasnât even sure how she arrived home because she felt like the walking dead.
After a shower, she curled up in bed under the blanket without even drying her hair.
She felt exhausted. I saw myself in the mirror just now and the person staring back is almost like a stranger. They say that 24-year-old women are in their glory days, but my life is a disaster at this point.
Amidst her muddled mind, she recalled the period when she first started dating Sean.
He once held me under the bridge in front of Marina Bay Sands. He kissed my forehead tenderly and lovingly under the stars while promising me that heâd love me with all his heart. In the blink of an eye, we had our romantic wedding but he became a monster and destroyed the future I dreamed of.
Myra cried and laughed simultaneously; she wasnât sure when, but she fell asleep somehow. She woke up again due to the bright lights in the room. Ever since two years ago, she had been a light sleeper.
âIs that you, Sean?â Myraâs voice was hoarse. She sat up on the bed gradually, feeling the sting from her puffy eyes.
âYeah.â Sean tossed his suit jacket while maintaining a blank expression. Nevertheless, he seemed to have noticed Myraâs expression was off, because he frowned slightly. Then, he caught sight of her red and swollen eyes. âWhat happened?â
Myra noticed his frosty expression, and she recalled herself deliberately telling Tony that they had a loving husband and wife relationship. It turns out I wasnât lying to others but to myself! She closed her eyes and felt hot tears sting the back of her eyelids. She then lifted her left hand and asked him, âSean, do you still remember giving me this ring?â She raised her left hand slowly. On it was a simple silver ring and it shone brightly under the lights.
Sean gave her the ring as a small gift before getting married.
We were not like this when he gave me that ring. That night, we had a date but he got delayed due to work, so we missed the scheduled time of the romance film. I said it was fine. In the end, we abandoned our plans for the movie and instead, we strolled along Bradfort Cityâs moat. At the time, there were many stalls unregulated by the Urban Management along the city moat. Every night, there would be many vendors selling all kinds of gadgets there. I think that was an especially happy time for me. I used to cling onto Seanâs arm along the way while pointing at interesting gadgets, and we would comment on what stood out from the crowd.
Sean even teased that no one else apart from me would be interested in such cheap items. During that time, I was attracted to the ring. Itâs funny in hindsight, because the ring cost about 20. Any random project of Seanâs is worth millions. Initially, he didnât care for it but since I liked it, he bought it for me.
He even teased me, âIn future when in front of others, itâs best to put away the ring. Otherwise, outsiders might think that Iâm stingy when it comes to you!â He even seemed unsatisfied after saying that because he pulled my hand while adding, âThis wonât do. Tomorrow, I will buy a new large and shiny diamond ring. I want people to know that you will be the happiest bride!â
I burst into fits of giggles at the time while raising the ring on my finger. âI donât mind how large or shiny the ring is as long as you love me.â Sean held me tightly immediately and he swore that he would treat me right for the rest of our lives. He said that heâd treat me right for the rest of our livesâ¦
Myra noticed Sean was spacing out as he stared at the ring, and she figured that he must be recalling the scene from the past. She suddenly felt eerily calm and she turned around to look at the dark night through the window. âSean Chase, letâs get a divorce.â
Letâs get a divorce now when we still have some sort of friendship between us. I can still treasure our wonderful memories from the past deep in my heart. Maybe when I recall it in the future, the memories won't be too terrible and my life wonât seem too horrible too.
The blazing light of the ceiling lamp shone brightly on the two of them and they almost had to squint at each other.
There was a stiff and awkward atmosphere in the still air.
Seanâs expression darkened immediately when he heard her. Narrowing his eyes, he countered, âMyra, are you angry that I did not give you a proper diamond ring?â
She had the urge to laugh and she burst out laughing in reality too, but her hollowed eyesâwhich seemed like the quiet night skyâwere filled with sorrow. âI recall telling you thisââSean, I donât mind how large or shiny the ring is.ââ
Sean scowled without replying to her.
Myra smiled while turning to look at the decorative hourglass next to her. The sand dropped down gradually, just like her heart right then. âI know that you have never loved me all this while and you are suffering more than I am by marrying me. I could never bring myself to give up on this marriage but I realize now that it doesnât matter whether I let go or not, because there seems to be only one outcome.â
Time seemed to rewind and Myra could almost recall what happened two years ago. She appeared to be in a trance when she said, âI know that you are still in love with Lyla and you canât forget about her.
If thatâs the case, why should I take up the space by your side by forceââ
âWho says that Iâm still in love with that woman?â Sean interrupted her. Then, there was a loud thud as he punched the photo frame on the bedside table.
It was their wedding picture, in which Myra was smiling happily, whereas Seanâs gaze was icy cold.