"Haha, we even bet back then that Willard would end up marrying her. They were a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
Willard's expression darkened. "Shut up, all of you. Don't let Cynthia hear this. If she makes a fuss, I won't let you off."
Sadly, the crowd laughed even harder.
"Alright, alright, we won't say anything. You're awesome, Willard. You've got Cynthia wrapped around your finger."
As soon as he finished speaking, Willard's phone rang and Jolene's name appeared on the screen.
The surrounding crowd instantly fell silent, their eyes filled with knowing glances. "The real owner is here," whispered one of them.
Willard didn't object. His lips curled up, his voice instantly softening an octave.
On the other end of the line, Jolene's voice was sweet and coy. "Willard, did you really buy the 'Starry Sky' for me? I heard that bag was auctioned for three million!"
"Yes, it's already paid for. It'll be delivered to you next week."
"But ... isn't that too extravagant?"
"Just three million. As long as it makes you happy, it's worth every penny."
A satisfied sigh came from Jolene's end. "You're too good to me. Once I get the bag, I'll show it off to you first!"
Willard smiled so hard, his eyes squinted. "Alright, I'll be waiting."
The moment he hung up, his friends swarmed around him.
"Three million for a bag? Willard, are you trying to have Jolene move into the new house with just a bag in hand? Does Cynthia know about this?"
Willard casually picked up a bottle of wine. "Cynthia and I have been together for years. She doesn't care about these things, but Jolene is different. She's so delicate and fragile, I have to make her feel secure."
I still stood outside the door, but my heart turned completely cold.
I hunted down every piece of furniture in our future home at discount stores across the entire city. When I was in love with the $20,000 couch at the time, Willard's face instantly darkened.
"Twenty thousand for a couch? Do you think money grows on trees? Isn't sitting on the floor just the same?"
He then chose another couch, but he was still unhappy when he paid for it, although it only cost 1888 dollars.
It turned out he wasn't stingy; it's just that his generosity had never been meant for me.
On the way home, I rolled the car window all the way down. The wind rushed in violently, stinging my face.
Three years. I'd been a fool for three whole years.