Chapter 5

Eugene didn't come home for the following week, yet I was aware of what he was up to at all times. It would've been hard for me to miss, seeing as Cassandra updated her social media every chance she had. They soaked in hot springs, enjoyed the sea view, took photos as the sun rose… Once again, I saw a different side of Eugene through social media. It turned out he could also act like every other guy who was in love. He just couldn't do it when he was with me. I didn't pay too much attention to where he and Cassandra went and what they did; I always scrolled away after a perfunctory glance. Anyway, I wasn't lounging around while he was gone. There were so many things at home that I spent a few days getting the place thoroughly cleaned. I also made some time to go home so I could tell my parents that I would soon be leaving to join a research lab. I also informed them that I would only be in contact with the outside world after a long time. Dad was surprised. "You and Eugene are getting married soon. Doesn't that mean you guys will be living apart?" Mom looked worried. She held my hand and said, "Make sure you think this through, Riss. It wasn't easy for you and Eugene to reach this stage—I'm worried he'll object to you going to the lab. And your wedding…" I knew what they meant. They'd seen how obsessed I was with Eugene, and they also knew how he treated me. Before I'd proposed to him, they'd indirectly told me to reconsider because they didn't think I meant much to him. But at the time, I was confident I could change Eugene. I thought I could make him accept me. And so, Mom and Dad had given in to me. Now that the wedding was close, Mom and Dad were worried Eugene was against me joining the research lab. Perhaps he would even call off the wedding and end things with me. They were worried I would get hurt, which was why they wanted me to think things through. But now, I was the one who wanted to cancel the wedding. I told Mom and Dad about it, and they were silent for a long time. I didn't tell them about Eugene having a child with Cassandra, though. I was worried they wouldn't be able to handle it. All I did was say I wanted to continue contributing to scientific research. They exchanged a look. Since I'd already made up my mind, they would support me. Ultimately, Dad sighed and patted my shoulder. He told me he was fine with it as long as I didn't regret my decision. … When I got home, I asked my best friend, Tara Lawson, to come over. I needed her help throwing out everything I'd packed. The boxes were taking up a lot of space in the living room. We went up and down several times before getting rid of everything. Once they were gone, the apartment suddenly looked empty. Tara looked wistful. She could still remember how excited I'd been after Eugene had accepted my proposal. I'd drunk the bar dry with her by my side while chattering on about how my wish had finally come true. Who would've known I'd call everything off just two months later? "Are you serious about this, babe? I thought you were joking the other day when you mentioned calling off the wedding. I've seen how you've chased after Eugene all these years. Come on, tell me what happened," she said. Perhaps it was because I was about to leave—I suddenly had the urge to pour my heart out. I told Tara everything that had happened over the past month, including the fact that Cassandra was carrying Eugene's child. Tara had been there from day one, so she knew about everything between me and Eugene. After I told her what had happened, she swore like a sailor. "How could he do that to you? You treat him so well, yet he decides to just father a child with another woman right before the wedding! The nerve of him, even wanting to force you to agree! What the hell is he thinking?" she snapped. I shook my head, suppressing my bitterness. "Who knows? He said he has to fulfill all of Cassandra's wishes because she's his savior." Tara looked indignant. "You're his savior, too! What makes him think he can treat you like this?" I didn't say anything. Maybe it was purely because he didn't love me. Then again, it no longer mattered. I would soon be leaving him, anyway.