Over those three years, I not only upgraded the diamond but also bought gold bars, all handed to her.
Except for that house she wanted—I hadn't managed the down payment yet. Whatever she wished for, I delivered.
Yet now...
"What's got you spaced out? Rough morning?"
Paul, my lifelong pal, was waving his hand in my face, trying to snap me out of it.
"I don't wanna propose anymore."
I eyed Paul, suited up just for my big moment.
"What? Cut the crap, she's right here." He didn't take me seriously.
Paul wasn't just any friend; he was slated to be my boss.
I trusted him as much as I trusted myself.
Sarah approached, flanked by her bridesmaids.
As Paul pushed me forward, the crowd started cheering.
I locked my eyes on this woman I'd loved for ages.
I knew every detail of her face, every little mark, like the mole at her waist.
Instinctively, I began to kneel, but as my knee touched the ground, the doctor's words flashed back.
"Too much strychnine in your system."
Proposing? Not a chance.
No way I was tying the knot with someone who had tried to kill me.
I left the ring behind and walked out, leaving behind the scene where I felt like a total fool.
My phone wouldn't stop buzzing, each time I silenced another call.
No need to check—I was sure Sarah and her squad were trashing me, calling me the scum of the earth.
But I didn't give a damn.
Being a scumbag beats being a corpse any day.
I hit the gas, zooming down the coastal highway.
The chill ocean breeze was a slap of relief for my fried brain.
I parked myself on the guardrail, lighting up a cigarette.
Sarah's attempt on my life was a hard pill to swallow.
Yet, why would she even want me dead?
Wasn't I good enough to her?
I watched a couple of seagulls playing tag by the waves, my cig burning down to the nub.
"Shit—"
The sting from the cigarette sparked a flashback to a night, about two weeks before I died in my last life.
That evening, I spotted Sarah's comment under a post blasting mistresses.
"Yep, I'm the mistress, LOL."
I woke her up, phone in hand, demanding an explanation.
Under the dim glow of the bedside lamp, she kneeled on the bed, her face ghostly pale, tears quickly spilling over.
"Honey, I was just kidding."
I said nothing, just gave her the cold shoulder, waiting for her next move.
She edged closer, lifting her eyes to mine, all doe-eyed.
"Babe, you know you'd never let me be the other woman."
"Excuse me?" My laugh was bitter.