Start from Zero - Chapter 9

Chapter 9 It's Too Late for Regrets "Goodbye, James." Only then did James remember how many of my calls he had rejected at Resortworld. He also remembered that strange phone call that night, when I had repeatedly asked him whether he would ever betray me. At the time, he had simply assumed I was delirious from the fever and acting spoiled with him. But Denise had already stirred up his desire, so he hadn't spared a thought for my feelings. He had merely let out muffled groans as he listened to what sounded like me vomiting on the other end of the line before hanging up.

He and Denise had burned with passion all night, while I had spent the entire night crying. It was as though he could suddenly see me vomiting until I was utterly exhausted, collapsing onto the floor and sobbing in despair. He could see me sitting alone in the living room, torturing myself by endlessly scrolling through Denise's posts. Every time he imagined another detail, his heart hurt alittle more. He had always believed that I could not truly leave him. After all, we had been together for ten years. In his mind, our relationship had become something deeper than just love.

He had never believed I could really walk away. But now, through the footage, he watched everything I had gone through during that time. From my initial disbelief and devastation, to the doubts that slowly consumed me, and finally to the moment I began to let go. At last, the footage reached the day of Denise's birthday. It felt as though his insides were being twisted together. The pain was so intense he could barely breathe. At that moment, there was only one thought in his mind. He wanted to see me. No matter what, he had to see me.

He had just rushed out of the house when he ran straight into Denise, who looked utterly miserable. "James..." Denise threw herself into his arms, crying as she complained, "It was Melinda! She was the one who spread rumors about me at school! She ruined my reputation and got me expelled! I'll never be able to study again! My parents are going to beat me to death!" She sobbed, "I don't want to be ruined like this. James, I want you to marry me. I want us to get married!" In the past, James had thought Denise was soft and delicate. But now, merely watching her cry irritated him.

When he heard her demand that he marry her, he shoved her away. Before he could even process his own reaction, the words had already left his mouth. "Absolutely not!" At that moment, they both froze. Then, he finally made up his mind as he said, "I will not marry you. In this life, Melinda will be my one and only wife." The moment my name left his lips, his heart ached. The pain made him think of that night when I had seen the delivery bag and the hotel reservation message. Only then did realization come crashing down on him.