Fooled Eleven Times, Freed at Last

As we make our way to the city hall, Paisley Doyle is struck by regret once again. After seven years together, this is the 11th time we've found ourselves at this crossroads. Every time we reach the city hall, she claims she needs more time to care for her sick first love and can't bring herself to marry me. Unable to hold back any longer, I finally decide to confront her. "If his condition never improves, does that mean you'll never marry me? Tell me, what do I even mean to you?" Paisley's temper ignites, and she snaps back at me without a second thought. "I promised to take care of him for the rest of my life! Can't you stop being so selfish? "Besides, we've been together for seven years. What does it matter if we're not legally married?" Chapter 1 Once again, I found myself alone as I made my way to the city hall. A fog seemed to cloud my mind. All around me, strangers flowed by—couples walking hand in hand, families with young children, and elderly partners who had weathered time together. Their happiness hit me like a slap, a painful reminder that my partner's love was fleeting. If it were real, she wouldn't keep leaving me behind. Tears welled up and streamed down my face, but I lifted my chin, trying to steel myself. Stumbling to a corner, I collapsed, crying without restraint. Seven years felt like an entire chapter of my life, but all I got in return for my love were nothing but betrayals. Though I wore my finest clothes, I was the most shattered person on that street. No one else could have been as miserable as I was. Nonetheless, I'd been through this kind of despair more times than I cared to count. This was the 11th time. People often claimed that misfortune wouldn't strike more than three times, but I had already gone far past that limit. I gave in to my tears one last time. After today, I swore I'd never let myself sink this low again. "Are you okay, sir?" a girl in a princess dress asked as she approached. With a smile, she handed me a piece of candy. Through my tear-blurred vision, I felt as if I'd been transported back to the day I first met Paisley Doyle. At that time, my family was caught in the midst of an unexpected crisis. My mother lay in the hospital, barely clinging to life. I had curled up in a corner, tears streaming down my face. Out of nowhere, Paisley appeared and offered me a piece of candy. "Don't cry. The road is beneath your feet. However you move forward, it will guide you to where you're meant to be." That piece of candy had once lifted my spirits, and Paisley's comforting words meant more than I could ever say. In time, my family returned to the life we once knew. Meanwhile, I searched everywhere for Paisley. I had always believed she was a sign of luck—that our meeting was written in the stars. With trembling hands, I reached for the candy lying before me. But as soon as I swallowed it, a sharp bitterness overwhelmed my heart, cutting deep within. From the very beginning, Paisley was nothing more than poison wrapped in a sugar-coated mask. It was my own naivety that kept me blind. I forced a smile at the girl. She waved goodbye as she ran off. With her, a piece of my heart seemed to vanish too. As I gathered myself and prepared to catch a cab home, my phone lit up with a notification from Justin Bloomfield. He was Paisley's first love. Just moments ago, he'd shared an update on social media. The caption read, "With you here, I don't feel any pain." The picture showed Paisley gently feeding him. Their love was undeniable. I locked my phone with a heavy heart and headed toward a bar nearby. All these years, I'd hardly ever touched alcohol. After all, Paisley hated the smell of smoke and liquor. I had cared for her in every way possible. She had the ability to care too—but sadly, I wasn't the one she cared about. Though each shot brought a burning heat to my stomach, my heart felt surprisingly calm for the first time. I raised my phone overhead. The camera caught my flushed face, glassy eyes, and swollen eyelids. I looked utterly wrecked. But I didn't care. I lifted my glass and took the photo anyway. I tagged my selfie with the caption, "Cheers to the seven years behind me." Before long, a few people got in touch to offer their support. "You didn't end up getting married at the city hall again, huh?" "Did she seriously flake on you again? Hang in there, buddy. I'm headed your way!" Unexpectedly, Paisley's message popped up. "What's the meaning of this? It's late, and you're still not back! What stunt are you up to this time? You're always acting like the victim to make me look bad!" She never asked why I was drinking or showed any concern; instead, her words were sharp, accusing me of losing control. My mood sank to its lowest point. Although Paisley had scolded me many times before, each reprimand stung more than the last. Chapter 2 Paisley always behaved that way. Whenever Justin had one of his episodes, she would lash out at me. Maybe she just couldn't bear the thought of me thriving while Justin was struggling. After all, why should I find happiness while he was suffering? Still, I owed her nothing. When we first got together, I knew a part of her heart still belonged to someone else. But for some reason, I held her close and promised to take good care of her from that moment on. That first love of hers stood between us like a wall. Every time we tried to get close, he pushed us apart. I had stood up to Paisley before. If she really couldn't move on and planned to stay with him forever, I was prepared to step aside. I had my pride; I wasn't going to play the third wheel in someone else's love story. But rather than trying to understand, Paisley flew into a rage. She pointed at me and accused me of disrespecting her as a person. "Is that really how you see me? Justin and I are just friends. He's sick right now. What's wrong with me looking after him? "Don't you have any friends? Or are you the kind of pervert who twists every little thing? "You're a grown man, for crying out loud. Why are you being so petty?" I felt like I'd done all I could. I never went out of my way to bother Justin. But to Paisley, I still came across as immature. Tears welled up in my eyes. I lifted my glass and downed it in one gulp. My head started to spin as memories blurred around me. But in that hazy moment, I finally felt alive. I was reclaiming my identity once more. Under the flickering neon lights of the bar, I made up my mind not to go home. Instead, I spent the night partying with friends until dawn and ended up crashing at a hotel. By noon the next day, Paisley realized I hadn't returned. She called me immediately, her voice sharp with frustration. "Are you done making a scene, Adrian? It's just a marriage certificate. Was it really worth staying out all night over something so meaningless? "I've told you over and over. Justin and I are just friends. He's sick, and his family's far away. If I don't look after him, who will? Can't you be a little more understanding?" My head throbbed from the hangover. Paisley's voice buzzed in my ears like a relentless mosquito. Frustrated, I didn't say a word. Noticing the tension, she softened her tone, letting a playful edge creep into her voice. "I know I was wrong to leave you behind yesterday. Please don't stay upset with me. Let me make it up to you tonight by taking you out for dinner and a movie. What do you say?" It was everything I'd ever wished for—a simple, romantic evening, just like any ordinary couple. But with Paisley, it always felt like some kind of compensation after she'd done something wrong. I swallowed the lump in my throat and whispered, "Okay." Paisley's mood lifted instantly. "Then it's settled. I'll pick you up tonight." After the call ended, I smoothed my clothes and headed toward the office. Even after taking the morning off, I had to return to work in the afternoon. That was the cold reality of adult life. No matter what feelings surfaced throughout the day, they had to be ignored. Life didn't stop for anyone, after all. I put on a smile as I stepped through the company doors. My coworkers wisely kept their distance, sensing not to pry. But it wasn't long before my manager, Timothy Gellen, summoned me to his office. "The company has decided to appoint someone to manage the overseas business. Adrian, I've always believed in your potential. A man can't afford to fail in both love and career." Timothy must have known about what happened yesterday. This was his subtle way of giving me advice. In the past, I'd have worn a long face and replied bitterly, "Paisley needs me. I can't just abandon her. If I did, I'd have nothing left to hold on to." Chapter 3 But this time, I simply took the file from Timothy and said calmly, "I'm happy to accept the company's assignment." While others climbed the ladder with promotions and pay raises, I remained stuck in the same role for seven years. I wasn't blind to the whispers behind my back. Everyone thought I was a fool. Despite my potential, I had let a woman hold me back. Timothy paused, a look of surprise flashing across his face. "And what about Paisley?" Judging from his expression, he thought it would take days to get me on board. He clearly hadn't expected such a quick agreement. "I can decide for myself. You're right. A man shouldn't reach his later years with nothing to show for it." "That's the spirit. I believe in you. Now, go ahead and start preparing." As Timothy patted my shoulder, I let out a slow, steady breath. I had chased Paisley for seven years, only to be left behind time and again. I gained nothing from her; I was the one constantly giving. Work, on the other hand, was straightforward. As long as I was willing to put in the effort, I knew I would be rewarded. Taking on the overseas business demanded extensive preparation. For the first time in a long while, I didn't have the time or energy to think about Paisley. I kept myself busy until dusk. The office had mostly cleared out. Suddenly, Eric Pearson, one of my colleagues, tapped me on the shoulder. "Adrian, your wife's been waiting outside for a long time. Aren't you going to go see her?" I was momentarily confused. Eric couldn't help but chuckle at my expression. "Everyone was talking about it earlier. Didn't you hear? We all figured you were angry." With a playful grin, he nudged me to clock out. After gathering his things, he headed toward the door. I moved to the window and unlocked my phone. A string of missed calls from Paisley lit up the screen. The impatience in her messages gradually turned into desperate pleas. "I know I was wrong. I even booked us a nice restaurant for tonight. Please don't be mad, okay?" As I took in her coaxing words, a bitter chuckle quietly escaped from inside me. Humans were truly pathetic creatures. Back when I clung to her like a shadow, she found it downright irritating. But the moment I pulled away and ignored her, she lost it, desperately scrambling to get close again. Downstairs, Paisley caught sight of me through the window. She waved excitedly, calling me as though I were some obedient pet. I glanced at the clock. After grabbing the documents I needed, I walked out. It was dinnertime anyway. But most importantly, it was time to settle things with Paisley once and for all. "Adrian, over here!" As soon as I stepped outside, Paisley flung herself into my arms, a bouquet of roses tucked behind her back. As I met her wide eyes, my irritation only grew. Unsettled, I instinctively pushed her away. "Let's go." I deliberately slumped into the back seat. Paisley lingered for a moment, surprisingly keeping her temper in check. "Adrian, look at the flowers I bought. Aren't they beautiful? Didn't you always want us to be like a normal couple?" I watched as she held the flowers out, treating them like a priceless gift. I couldn't help but cough awkwardly. Roses were the one flower I couldn't stand, yet they were Justin's favorite. Paisley couldn't even recall such a small detail about me, yet she still acted as though she cared. On the way there, she kept trying to start conversations. But unlike my usual self, I made no effort to entertain her. I kept my gaze locked on the window, barely responding with any emotion. As her patience wore thin, Paisley finally stopped talking and focused on the road. She had brought me to a trendy, photo-worthy restaurant. The moment we got out of the car, we found ourselves surrounded by a sea of couples. Paisley frowned and slipped her arm through mine. Worried I might pull away, she held on tighter, forcing a smile as she did. I pushed the discomfort in my chest aside and walked in with her. Chapter 4 Noticing the change in my mood, Paisley suddenly perked up. "Adrian, do you see that gazebo? It's a hotspot for couples to take photos, and you can even capture today's clouds. "There's also an arched bridge just over there. Justin loves that spot. You can hear the water gently flowing beneath it." My chest clenched at the sound of his name, though I kept my expression steady. Paisley quickly covered her mouth. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to," she murmured. I shook my head, a quiet ache settling in my chest. I kept reminding myself not to care or take it personally. But after seven years of loving her, how was I supposed to accept that even our last meal was still tangled up in memories of him? Paisley was unusually quiet as she led me to our table. She listed off several dishes, but none of them were ones I liked. Over the years, I'd learned Justin's tastes like the back of my hand. These were all his favorites. No matter where she went, Paisley always remembered them. She truly carried him in her heart, leaving a piece of him in everything she did. But this time, I let it go without protest. I simply waited for the dishes to be served. Sensing something was wrong, Paisley looked up and asked, "Is there anything else you want to add?" I shook my head. After all these years, what started as dislike had faded into nothing more than routine. I couldn't help but feel how pathetic I'd become. After the waiter walked away, Paisley's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Just as I was about to ask what was wrong, she suddenly pulled out a pair of rings. "Adrian, I know I've broken promises before, but Justin's sick. With his parents rarely around, he's come to rely on me. I can't leave him. "You're just hung up on the idea of getting married, aren't you? We have the rings; it's only the paperwork left. It doesn't really change anything. "What do you say?" She said the last part hesitantly, worried I'd be upset. I forced a bitter smile and looked her in the eye. She spoke with quiet confidence, as if she knew I'd say yes. Was it because I'd spent seven years playing the fool? Because I was too easy to appease? Because I had only myself to blame? But what I wanted wasn't just a piece of paper. What I craved was fairness and a love that was exclusively mine. In that moment, the thought of ending things consumed my mind. Paisley smiled, waiting for my answer. Just then, her phone rang, cutting off the words I was about to say. She hastily picked up. I didn't even need to guess. The only person who could make her this worried was Justin. A familiar voice came through the line. "It hurts so much, Paisley… Am I going to die?" Losing control, Paisley slammed the cutlery down. She grabbed her car keys before rushing out the door. She didn't look back at me once. It felt just like yesterday all over again. We were halfway to city hall when Paisley's phone rang. Growing restless, she insisted we head back. Each of the ten times she stood me up was because Justin needed her attention. Yesterday, I finally lost control and confronted her. "If he's never going to get better, does that mean you'll never marry me? What do I even mean to you?" Furious, Paisley snapped and screamed for me to leave. "I've already promised to take care of him for the rest of his life. Can't you think about someone other than yourself? "We've been together for seven years. Does a piece of paper really matter that much? Just go! Don't make me repeat myself!" For seven years, I cried myself to sleep more times than I could count. She knew it better than anyone. Back then, my feelings went beyond just anger at her. I was sinking in frustration, helpless against a situation I couldn't control. I hovered in limbo, torn between holding on and learning how to let go. "Sir, would you like to order anything else?" The waiter's tentative question pulled me from my thoughts. Amid the commotion, many eyes turned toward me—some filled with sympathy, others with quiet relief. I gave a faint shake of the head and returned to my meal. Each bite tasted like dry cardboard, making it impossible to enjoy. Chapter 5 As she stood halfway out the door, Paisley stopped and typed a message, her words carrying a hint of regret. "Adrian, Justin is sick. I'm taking him to the hospital and will find you as soon as I can. He's sick. Please don't take it out on him. My heart belongs to you alone." By that point, I was almost numb. Was I really expected to back down just because he was sick? But the truth was, I didn't owe him anything. Whether his illness was genuine or a lie, it made no difference to me. I had checked with several friends about Justin's health. He was born with a congenital heart defect, but thanks to proper care during his childhood and timely heart surgery, he shouldn't be experiencing frequent attacks like these. What struck me most was how conveniently his "attacks" always seemed to occur—on my birthday, our anniversary, or the very days we were meant to register our marriage. I had never known anyone whose symptoms flared up so predictably. Was it possible he was controlling it? Ignoring the flood of messages on my phone, I focused instead on capturing the restaurant's surroundings. The place was breathtaking—chalets nestled within lush gardens, towering mountains nearby, water sparkling beneath the sky, birds soaring overhead, and fish gliding gracefully below the surface of the lake. But most of all, this place brimmed with love, quietly bearing witness to countless stories of the heart. I shared all the photos on social media with just one line. "Maybe seeing others happy isn't so terrible, after all." Almost immediately, Justin posted a series of photos. It was clear he wasn't going to back down. "You always show up right when I need you most." In one of the photos, Paisley was resting against his shoulder, their hands clasped tightly together. This was how most couples looked. I clenched my phone and slowly sank back into my seat. With Justin taken to the hospital, Paisley should be back shortly. I wanted to bring things to a proper close, leaving us both with a small piece of good memories to hold onto. But it turned out I had overestimated my importance in her life. Even after the restaurant had closed, Paisley still hadn't shown up. Despite all the messages I sent, there was no response. The night air was cold, and to make things worse, a light rain began to fall. I didn't try to escape it or find shelter. I simply walked home along the same path I'd been following for seven years. Despite the difficult journey, I kept moving forward. Half an hour later, I made it home with a fever and sore throat. Paisley still hadn't returned. Having grown used to it, I collapsed into bed and quickly fell asleep. When she finally thought of me again, the first light of dawn had already broken. As Paisley walked in, her face was etched with remorse. "Justin's condition was really serious, so I couldn't leave. I brought you breakfast. Please, have a bite." Turning away, I grabbed my documents and prepared to walk out. After being drenched by the rain, I felt completely exhausted. On top of that, I was still running a fever. I didn't want to argue, but Paisley wouldn't give up. She grabbed my hand, stubbornly refusing to let me go. "Why is your hand so hot—?" Before she could finish, I jerked my hand away, desperate to maintain some dignity. But I pulled too hard, and the documents in my grip flew from my hand, scattering across the floor. As Paisley scrambled to pick them up, her eyes went wide. "These are international business documents… What exactly is going on here?" The hurt in her gaze sparked an unexpected thrill within me. Without thinking, a harsh remark left my lips. "As you can see, I've been assigned abroad. Paisley, let's break up. You're free now. No one will stand between you and Justin again!"