After Grandfather's Heart Attack, She Regretted It

On the eve of graduation, I planned to pop the question to Lily Warren.

We were already engaged, but she said yes so quickly it felt rushed. She wanted a proper proposal.

So I gathered all our friends and family and set up the perfect spot to propose, but Lily was a no-show.

Suddenly, a storm rolled in, and my grandpa had a heart attack. By the time we got him to the hospital, it was too late.

Numb with grief in the morgue, I received a text from Lily's best guy friend, Ethan Theodore.

It was a screenshot from his social media.

The photo showed him in a hospital gown, arm wrapped around a woman in a cocktail dress.

The caption said: [Storm's raging, but you're my haven.]

I left a simple comment: [Wish you two to be together forever!]

***

The proposal day was crowded, but I declined everyone's help and dealt with Grandpa's funeral arrangements alone.

In the days that followed, not a call or message from Lily.

Grandpa always wanted to be laid to rest back home, by the serene mountains and rivers, so I brought his ashes home to prepare for the trip.

Just as I got home, Lily's car pulled up.

Lily helped Ethan out of the car, the two of them cozy as if made for each other.

I watched them from a distance, face a mask of calm.

Ethan noticed me and flashed a knowing smirk.

Lily was still in that dress, now crumpled and ill-fitting.

That dress was Grandpa's last masterpiece, a lifetime in tailoring. His career had earned him a solid reputation. Even after retiring because of his ailments, people still begged him to sew again, but he never gave in.

Lily knew this and insisted Grandpa tailor this dress just for her.

She imagined wearing it for the proposal, capturing loads of happy photos, and playing the radiant bride.

I sheepishly approached Grandpa with her request.

Thrilled to make something for his granddaughter-in-law, Grandpa ignored his ailments, scouring fabric markets for the perfect material, laboring over every stitch and button through day and night, all to make it flawless.

But when Lily received it, her reaction was underwhelming.

For her, it was just another piece in her collection of lavish gowns, crafted from costly fabrics by the world's leading designers.

Lily comes from money and runs her own company. Her worth is not my concern.

I've never felt the need to flaunt my heritage. Love shouldn't be weighed down by such things, so I kept explanations to a minimum. If she wanted upscale gowns, I could easily afford them, but she had her heart set on Grandpa's craftsmanship.

I pursued her for four years, always hoping to fulfill her dreams, dreaming of a joyful future together.

What did I get in return?

I gave her the grand gesture she asked for, but she didn't value it. A single call or text from Ethan was enough to whisk her away.

Grandpa had been eager to see her in that dress, hoping to witness her accept my proposal and envision a life together. Sadly, he left us with only his disappointment.

As I remembered this, tears welled up, and a wave of sadness swept over me.

Lily turned and noticed my somber face, snapping, "What's with that look, Jack? Ethan just needed surgery, and I was there for him for three days. Are you going to cry about it? I mean, it's not like I did something awful to you! We're already engaged, so what if I missed the proposal? Ethan's surgery was crucial, he couldn't have it delayed just because I wasn't there to sign off!"

Previously, I would have challenged her, "Doesn't Ethan have his own family? Why must you rush to his side? Aren't proposals meant to be significant? Then why did you insist on one?"

Now, all I felt was indifference toward them both, my gaze fixed on the wrinkled dress she wore.

Lily caught on to my mood and frowned, "What's wrong? This dress is uncomfortable, and it's kind of outdated. Maybe Grandpa could make another one; I'll cover the costs this time."

Calmly, I responded, "Then take it off right now." It was Grandpa's final creation, and I couldn't bear to see her wear it any longer.

Lily looked puzzled, "What do you mean by that?"

"You can wash off dirt from a dress, but you can't clean a tainted soul."

"Lily, we break up."