Aiden would come home on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to be with me and give early education lessons to the baby in my belly. Yet on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, he was with Eryn, savoring the sweetness of their new relationship.
Ignoring his own stomach issues, he accompanied Eryn to try all the new, interesting, trendy food spots. Milk tea, coffee, hotpot, ice cream, whatever she liked, Aiden never refused.
This man, who once thought wasting ten minutes was a disgrace, now willingly sat through one boring romantic movie after another with her.
This man, who valued his career above all else, was now happily engaged in all kinds of childish things with his mistress.
To protect Eryn, Aiden allowed her to be a co-author on a paper that was outside her major. He even played pranks on his colleagues and skipped his own lectures, all to amuse her.
In doing so, he not only trampled on my face and dignity but also completely disregarded the ethics and fundamental rules of our entire profession.
What finally made me explode was Aiden's meticulously planned marriage proposal for Eryn.
That year, Aiden had become instantly famous after discovering a minor planet. He didn't just appear in international journals; his handsome looks also made him a sensation nationwide.
At the peak of his life, he chose to share that glory with Eryn. He named the minor planet "Erynden," which meant "Forever Intertwined." Just like Aiden and Eryn, who vowed never to part.
That same night he received the award, in a romantic planetarium, under Erynden, he held a small wedding ceremony for her.
Watching Eryn in her wedding dress, walking slowly toward Aiden and seeing the two of them exchange vows to stay together until their hair turned white, under that starry sky, I broke down all over again.
Back then, Aiden and I had never had a wedding.
When I begged him repeatedly, he only said, "Nina, you know me. I don't like those showy things. Rather than waste time and effort, I'd rather use my energy on real work. I have many experiments to finish."
Because I loved him, I gave in. Because I loved him, I also lost everything I had.
All the emotions I had bottled up for so long finally erupted.
In front of all the guests, I rushed forward, tore the wedding dress off Eryn and slapped her hard across the face twice.