He Asked for Three Years of Freedom, Gave Him a Lifetime of Regret

At my most naive, I caught Rod Graves cheating the night before our wedding. I didn't confront him, didn't scream, didn't ask a single question. I just gave him three days to cut things off with that woman.

Day one, they went hiking together and took couple photos. I told myself it was fine.

Day two, they spent twenty-four hours in bed, refusing to be apart. I told myself he was just temporarily out of his mind.

By day three, he brought her straight to me.

“Selma, we're only twenty-three. We're young, we're restless. I don't want to walk into a marriage this early.”

“So, for the sake of everything I've done for you, for the fact that I nearly died for you, can you make a deal with me?”

I said nothing.

He bit down on his cigarette and went on：

“We give each other three years. During those three years, we do our own thing, no interference. Once we're twenty-six and we've both grown up, we come back, settle down, live a quiet life together. Deal?”

I laughed.

“Whatever makes you happy.”

Forget three years. Even thirty years wouldn't matter, because he had nothing to do with me anymore.

I was marrying someone else.

——

Three years later.

Rod Graves, who'd spent three glorious years gallivanting overseas with his little girlfriend, was back.

The moment he stepped off the plane, cameras swarmed him and the girl at his side, Tania Sawyer.

“Mr. Graves, three years ago you left Ms. Cooley for Ms. Sawyer on the eve of your wedding. Now that you're back, do you plan to reconcile with Ms. Cooley?”

Three years had changed Rod. His hair was longer, and the boyishness in his features had given way to something sharper, more polished.

But when he opened his mouth, he was the same cocky bastard as ever：“Reconcile? Selma and I never broke up. I'm back to keep our promise and marry her. Settle down for good.”

The reporters tried to press further, but he was already shielding Tania into the car and pulling away.

I took a sip of my coffee and had just turned off my phone when a voice drifted in from the doorway：“Selma. Long time no see.”

The man who'd been on my screen seconds ago was now standing right in front of me.

When I didn't respond, Rod smiled and raised an eyebrow：“What? Forgotten your own fiance?”

I gave a faint smile：“I remember.”

Rod pulled Tania down into the seat across from me and spoke in that lazy drawl of his：“Selma, our deal expires in one week. Before that, I want to give Tania a wedding first. She followed me for three years, and all she's asking for before she walks away is this one thing. I'm hoping you'll agree.”

“Don't worry. Once Tania's wedding is done, she and I are done for good. After that, I'll give you a grand wedding and we'll start our life together.”

Rod finished and sat there, waiting for my answer.

Tania sat beside him the whole time, docile and obedient, as if whatever he said was gospel.

Looking at her like that, I finally understood how she'd appeared for just one month and made him throw away seven years of us without a second thought, even calling off the wedding entirely.

“Selma Cooley?” Rod's voice cut in when he noticed me spacing out, a flicker of irritation crossing his face：“Did you hear a word I just said?”

“I heard you.” I snapped back and smiled with a small nod：“Do whatever you want. It's really none of my business.”

Rod froze for a second. Then his brow furrowed, an uncomfortable knot forming in his chest.

What did she mean, none of her business?

She was his fiancee. The love of his life. The woman he intended to spend the rest of his days with.

How could it be none of her business!

Rod looked at me, his expression hardening：“Selma, I'm telling you this so you won't get the wrong idea.”

I raised an eyebrow：“Relax. I won't get the wrong idea.”

After all, none of this had anything to do with me anymore.