I realized that Max probably had never trusted me.
I met Max in college.
After dating for three years, I discovered he had a childhood sweetheart, Rebecca Cox.
Even though we were already discussing marriage, he became hesitant once Rebecca returned to the country.
The once loving Max Read changed.
I watched helplessly as he gravitated toward Rebecca, unable to do anything about it. This led to numerous arguments and a cold war between us.
But he grew irritated, saying, "Violet, can you stop acting like a madwoman? It only makes me regret spending my life with you even more!
"I warn you, stop fantasizing about me and Rebecca. I see her as a sister!"
Yet, he would share a straw with his "sister," sleep in the same bed, and even kiss her openly. He did everything couples would do but criticized me for being delusional.
One midnight, I overheard Max talking to Rebecca on the phone from the balcony. Rebecca was crying.
"Max, are we really going to end like this? I don't want to lose you…"
Max frowned in pain. "Rebecca, stop crying. It hurts me to see you like this."
"If I hadn't left, would you…"
Before Rebecca could finish, Max declared, "I would marry you! Because I've always loved you, and only you. She's not even a fraction of what you are.
"But Violet has been with me for three years. I need to be responsible."
That night, I finally realized Max's feelings toward me.
It was responsibility, not love.
And Max's only true love was his childhood sweetheart, Rebecca.
Later, when Rebecca wanted to learn design, Max used his connections to secure her a position at the top company where I worked, even though she was a complete novice.
That marked the beginning of our longest period of silence.
I didn't even have the chance to tell him I was pregnant.
Rebecca found out I was designing the wedding house and asked Max for the address.
On New Year's Eve, when no workers were on site, I was alone inspecting progress. A flash of lightning revealed Rebecca had somehow appeared behind me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, but she didn't answer.
Instead, she said, "Violet Lyons, why are you stealing Max from me?"
Her expression under the flashing lightning seemed eerie.
I sensed danger and tried to flee, but she grabbed my hair and slammed me to the ground, crazed.
"You not only stole Max but also got pregnant with his child! Why should you get away with this!"