My parents died in a car accident and the family company went bankrupt. I cried and begged for help from relatives and friends around me, but they all coldly rejected me.
In my despair, my fiancée handled my parents' funeral despite others' opinions and insisted on marrying me.
But in the fifth year of our marriage, on the 99th time I failed at starting a business, I used my last bit of money to buy her a bouquet of roses and went to meet her, only to accidentally overhear her conversation with her best friend.
Janice asked, "Salma, which failed startup is this for Jason? I've lost count. He really is a fool. Every failure was because you handed the core data to Adam and he has no idea?"
I heard Salma's cold voice, "The 99th. Why? You feel sorry for him?"
Janice said, "No, it's just that you've been married for five years. Adam is coming back tonight. Aren't you worried about being found out?"
Salma said again, "Adam is no longer that poor kid. He's now a rising star in tech. It's normal for our companies to work together. I chose Jason back then only because I couldn't be with Adam. Now that he's successful, everything I did is worth it."
I gripped the roses tightly, tears fell from my eyes uncontrollably.
So what I thought was salvation was actually just a bargaining chip for Salma to support her first love. She married someone she didn't love, just for him.
If that's the case, Salma, I won't start businesses anymore. And you, I didn't want you either.
——
I sat at the door until all my emotions had settled. As soon as I walked in, a mocking voice rang out from Janice, "Yo, another bouquet of roses? Don't tell me you failed again?"
"Jason, I'm telling you, if you're going to live off a woman, at least act like it. Don't treat Salma's investments like they're nothing." After saying that, Janice snatched the flowers from my hands and threw them to the floor with contempt.
I ignored her mockery, I immediately bent down to pick them up.
But my outstretched hand was harshly stomped on by her high heel. The sudden pain made me groan involuntarily.
"Janice, that's enough." It wasn't until Salma's scolding that I was released.
She carefully picked up the roses from the ground and, ignored my injured hand, she softly kissed the back of it.
Salma said, "Sorry, Jason. Janice didn't mean it. It's just that people have been talking too much lately and she's angry for me. I really like your flowers. You know that, anything from you, I love it."
I felt the warmth of her kiss on my hand, but I didn't feel comfort, only a deep chill. How could she discard me like garbage one moment and act all loving the next?
I forced down my disgust and managed a guilty look and said, "Salma, I've let you down. If I hadn't failed again and again, you wouldn't have to endure others' criticism. Maybe … maybe I should just leave. That way you won't have to ..."
Before I could finish, she covered my mouth with her hand and coaxed me, "What nonsense are you talking about? What do you take me for? I said we'd be together forever and that won't change!"
Her face was full of fake anger. If it were before, I'd have hugged her tightly in gratitude.
But now, I merely moved her hand away gently and nodded, "I know. I believe you." Then I said goodbye just like I always did.
Because every time I failed, Salma would use comforting me as an excuse to gather friends and force me out of the lab to relax.
But she didn't know that her friends never welcomed me. I would always drop off the flowers and left under some excuse.
