I had been with Norman Lynn for eight years.

He told me he was tired of our relationship and found a girl who is five years younger, more fresh and innocent.

This time, I decided to return the ring and cut up the wedding dress.

That heart that couldn't be warmed, I chose to let go of.

I quietly left the city.

Norman's friends were betting with him, "How long do you think Yuna Shaw will take to come back and ask for a second chance?"

Norman scoffed and replied, "She'll be crying and begging for my forgiveness in less than three days."

But three months passed, and I still hadn't reached out.

Norman went a little crazy, using all his connections to try to find me.

When my phone finally rang, the voice that answered him was a man's.

"What? You're looking for Yuna? We just finished, and she's a bit tired..."

***

The moment I laid eyes on Norman, I was completely smitten.

I pursued him relentlessly for five years before he finally agreed to be with me, albeit reluctantly.

After that, we were together for another seven years.

I had invested twelve years of my life into this relationship.

I truly believed I had finally melted his heart.

So, I made the decision to marry him.

I secretly bought a wedding dress, planning to take the leap and propose to him at the cruise dinner party he was hosting.

But fate had other plans - I got stuck in traffic, and Norman's cruise dinner party commenced on schedule without waiting for my arrival.

I quietly approached, but overheard him chatting with his friends.

"Norman, I heard you're planning to marry Yuna?"

Norman let out a derisive snort.

"Who told you that nonsense?"

"Aren't you going to make her your wife?"

Norman scoffed dismissively.

"Not a chance, I've been over it for ages."

Hearing those words felt like a bolt from the blue. Every cell in my body seemed to lose its spark in an instant.

I nearly crumpled to the floor.

The barrage of words kept hitting my nerves.

"You're telling me you can get bored of a woman like Yuna?"

"Hah, it's been seven years now. I wonder if you'll ever get tired of her."

"I suddenly recalled a saying. Every woman you lust after is already on everyone else's wish list. Norman, does that not perfectly capture how you feel right now?"

"Yep, spot on."

"A girl that fine, and you're done with her? Mind if I take a turn?"

In the mouths of these barely evolved meatheads, I was nothing but a toy.

They trampled and whipped my dignity, and my hurt poured out as silent tears.

I skipped the dinner cruise that night.

I texted Norman to let him know, but he didn't even bother to reply.

Whenever I message him, it's like I'm blowing up his phone.

"Norman, I'm heading out. Don't forget your keys."

"Norman, there's a new steakhouse. Wanna check it out?"

"Norman, I miss you! What are you up to?"

But he only replies when he feels like it.

My psych major bestie Lina says if someone's important enough, they'll drop everything to text you back, even if they're in the shower.

I already knew I wasn't a priority. I just didn't realize I wasn't even an afterthought. I was being pathetic.

I received a call from Norman, who said he had something really important to discuss with me.

I didn't want to meet him, so I made up an excuse that I was feeling unwell.

However, Norman's tone was quite forceful.

"Come when I say to come, and don't make me lose my temper!" he threatened.

I decided to give him another chance, so I went to the restaurant he had chosen.

As soon as I walked in, I was taken aback by what I saw.

In the private room, there was a circle of people, and almost all my friends were there.

When I entered, the lively atmosphere suddenly fell silent, and the room was eerily quiet.

Norman sat in the center, and beside him was a young girl who looked at me with a slightly challenging gaze.

A few close friends, who usually had a good time with me, looked at me with worried expressions.

The room was packed with people, but there wasn't a seat for me.

I straightforwardly asked Norman, "What's going on here?"

Norman, however, turned the question back on me. "Why didn't you show up for the cruise dinner that day?"

I replied, "I was feeling unwell; I sent you a message about it."

Seemingly unhappy with my answer, Norman shot me a glare and then said, "Let me introduce you to someone."

He turned to the young girl beside him and said, "This is Bella, a girl I've recently taken a special liking to."

"You can see that Bella is young and beautiful, and she's also sensible and easygoing. I don't want her to be mistreated; you understand what I mean?"

"Young and beautiful, sensible and easygoing."

Every word felt like a stab to my heart.

I nodded and replied, "I get it. You all carry on; I'll step out."