Love Turned to Tragedy

To pay for Angela's mother's medical bills, I found myself having dinner and chatting with other women. But the money just wasn't enough, and soon I was sleeping with them too. Angela would hold me close, expressing her gratitude and love, until the day I caught her walking out of a hotel room with her childhood friend.

Heartbroken, I tossed all of Angela's things out and ended our relationship. "You're sensitive and gloomy, and you've been with so many women that you're practically worthless. Who would want you after me?" The sweet, gentle Angela I once knew now looked at me with a cold smirk, convinced I'd end up alone, regretting my decision.

Three months later, while cleaning a hotel room, Angela stepped in front of me as I was leaving. Her eyes were red, and her voice trembled. "Samuel, I can't let you be with other women anymore. Can you please come back to me?"

***

"Baby, can I kiss you?" As we walked out of the restaurant, Ada Smith loosened her grip on my arm, her expression a mix of hope and disdain.

At forty, Ada's designer outfit did little to conceal her bulky frame, and her forehead was lined with deep wrinkles. I looked down, feeling uneasy. "Ms. Smith, I really don't think that's a good idea. We agreed to just have dinner and talk, with only casual touches."

She chuckled lightly, her body shaking slightly. Pulling a card from her purse, she tossed it at me. It hit my chest and dropped to the ground with a soft thud.

"There's twenty thousand on this card, plus the thirty thousand I gave your girlfriend before. That makes fifty grand in total," Ada said, flipping her hair back and tilting her chin defiantly. "So, what do you say?"

I stared at the card on the floor, frozen for a few moments, before finally walking over to Ada. I couldn't remember how the kiss began or ended; all I knew was that the stares from those around us felt like daggers, slicing through my pride and self-respect.

"You're so young and handsome. You're way better than the male models at the bar. If I ever need someone again, I'll definitely come back for you," Ada winked, a sly smile on her lips as she turned to leave.

I stood there for what felt like an eternity, lost in thought. As I bent down to pick up the card, I suddenly noticed a pair of clean white shoes in front of me.

"Angela." I took a deep breath and stood up, forcing a smile at her.

Angela, with her high ponytail and wearing a lovely white dress, looked as fresh and beautiful as the day we met.

"Samuel, I'm so sorry for everything," she said, wrapping her arm around mine, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

I gently patted her head, slipping the card into her palm. "It's not a burden. For you and your mom, I'd do anything."

I trailed off as she looked up at me with curiosity. Ada had some strange quirks; whenever we went out shopping or dining, she insisted I call her "wife," even though she was twenty years my senior.

After saying it so many times, my dignity felt shattered, and my mind was getting foggy. Sometimes, I'd even slip and say it without thinking.

I forced a smile and added, "This is what Ms. Smith just gave me; you can keep it."

Angela tucked the card into her bag and threw her arms around me, tears glistening in her eyes. "Samuel, you had such a bright future ahead of you. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have to..."

"Samuel, I'm sorry, but I really need to say thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me."

"Angela, don't say you're sorry, and don't thank me. Just love me, okay?"