I gave Alex a gentle smile.
“Let’s look at it tomorrow, Alex. There’s a surprise,” I said softly.
His gaze lingered on me, his brow furrowed. “You’re acting strange today. Are you deliriously happy or something?”
To be honest, it was a happy occasion.
After all, I was finally seeing you alive and well again.
I smiled. “I think you’re the best person in the world. Whoever marries you will be the happiest person alive.”
He snorted and turned away. If I didn’t know any better, I’d almost think he was just shy.
Just then, the conversation of a young couple nearby drifted over.
“The view from the mountain tonight is going to be amazing! Let’s go see it, baby!”
My steps slowed.
I remembered, on this very day in my past life, I had selfishly hoped Alex would go see the night view with me, thinking maybe he’d fall in love with me.
All I got for my troubles were his cold, cutting words.
“A fake couple looking at the night sky is going to make it real? What kind of fairytale are you living in?”
This time, I didn’t dare to hope.
But to my surprise, Alex spoke up. “If you want to see the view, I’ll go with you. But don’t get any ideas about a honeymoon. The company is busy, and I don’t have time.”
I stared at him, shocked that he’d bring it up. Then, a moment later, I understood.
Alex, for all his sharp words, was a good person at his core. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked his life to save me twice.
Once, ten years ago, when I was drowning in a lake, he was the one who dove in without a second thought.
Another time, when a runaway truck barreled towards us, he didn’t hesitate to pull me into his arms. The shattering glass embedded in the back of his head, while I escaped with minor scratches because he held me so tight.
How could I ever stop loving a man who had twice thrown himself in front of danger for me?
“Hey? Are we going or not?” Alex asked, a hint of impatience in his voice.
I snapped back to reality and gave him a brilliant smile. “Okay. Tonight, together.”
Only then did the deep crease in Alex’s brow finally smooth out.
He flagged down a cab.
“I’ll take you home first. I’ll pick you up later, and we’ll go to the mountain,” he said.
Just then, his phone rang. After answering it, his expression soured.
“Eleanor was in a car accident. I have to go see her. Can you get home by yourself?”
I nodded. “Okay.”
He looked at me, surprised. “You used to hate it when I went to see her. Change of heart?”
I was about to speak, but he cut me off with a cold laugh.
“Right. We’re ‘married’ now, so she’s not a threat to you anymore. Text me when you get home. I’m leaving.”
His car sped away, and he never saw the disappointed, bitter look on my face.
The truth was, I’d never really tried to stop him from caring about Eleanor.
Except for that one time when Alex’s parents and I accidentally discovered that she had been cheating on him for a while.
It was only from that moment on that I desperately tried to keep him from getting too entangled with her.
But he never knew. Even after Eleanor died, he drowned in guilt and grief for a whole decade.
If I had the choice, I would rather see him with Eleanor than watch him suffer endlessly and ultimately die because of me.
Guilt and regret are heavy enough to crush a person.
