Too Late for Love1

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.