You Cheated Yet You Want My Commitment

“Aren’t these your favorite little toys? Why did you throw them away?” Zelda looked at me in disbelief. “Decluttering,” I replied casually, just hoping she’d hurry up and take a shower. Eugene didn’t wear cologne, but I could always smell his scent on Zelda. It made me want to throw up. She paused for a moment, not noticing anything unusual, and continued talking to herself. “Well, getting rid of them is fine. You can always buy the new models when they come out. Or we could put them in our future house together—it’s the same thing, don’t you think?” Her sweet, delicate voice reached my ears as if she were truly seeing our future. She was watching me, trying to gauge my reaction. I knew that, but I pretended not to notice. Normally, I would’ve already pulled her into my arms and kissed her. But now, every time I thought about kissing her, all I could see was her flirting with Eugene. It was like I was picking up someone else’s leftovers. Soon, my indifference bored her. Zelda was perceptive—she knew I was angry. But since I was always the one to back down first, she had gotten used to it. She saw no need to appease me. Tonight was already a rare concession. While she went to take a shower, her phone buzzed non-stop. Annoyed, I picked it up and glanced at the screen. Eugene had sent her several photos of the two of them in wedding attire. In the pictures, Zelda looked stunning in a wedding gown, her figure graceful and elegant. The way she gazed at Eugene was filled with sweetness, and a dull ache throbbed in my chest, followed by overwhelming anger. So, all of her impatience was reserved just for me. There was a time when I desperately wanted to see her in a wedding gown. I spent money reserving several gowns, just waiting for her to try them on. I had imagined what she would look like in one. But she kept standing me up. “It’s all the same. You know I’m lazy—what’s the point of trying them on?” I still remember the frown on her face when she said that. Back then, I thought Zelda was different from other women. I thought she didn’t like trying on clothes because she trusted my taste. But looking at these dozens of photos, that sweetness was real. There was no sign of impatience at all. “What the hell are you doing?!” Suddenly, a rush of warmth hit me. Zelda yanked the phone from my hands, her grip surprisingly strong, pushing me aside. “Don’t you know that’s private?” Her face was flushed from the heat, but her voice was chilling. I silently looked down at my palm and noticed that a long scratch from her manicured nails was already bleeding. To be honest, even if she hadn’t come in just now, I wouldn’t have kept scrolling. I had already gone through those thousands of flirtatious messages. Reading them from midnight till dawn. Wanting to wake up the woman sleeping beside me, but feeling numb and giving up each time. Who would’ve thought? Seven years together, yet our chat history was always just me talking to myself. Once in a while, when she was in the mood, she’d reply with a single emoji. I used to think that was just her personality—cute in its own way. But looking back now, I was nothing but a fool. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have looked at your private messages,” I apologized sincerely. Zelda froze. She hadn’t expected me to react like this. “Those photos… Luigi said I looked good in those gowns, so I just tried them on, that’s all. Don’t get the wrong idea. “Besides, haven’t you always wanted me to try on wedding gowns? “And… his sister passed away. He said he wanted to see what she would’ve looked like in a wedding gown.” She pouted and leaned into me, wrapping her arms around me, and pressing her face close. “You’re not mad… right? I’m sorry, okay?”

I silently listened to her poor excuse. Maisie, Eugene’s sister, was a friend of Zelda. At the time, Zelda was at a critical stage in starting her business and encountered difficulties. Maisie was bringing her flash drive, but she got into a traffic accident on the way. Not long after being taken to the hospital, she passed away. Before she died, she asked Zelda to take care of her young brother Eugene. Zelda kept her promise and took great care of him. At first, she kept her distance, restrained and formal. But over time, she even started involving herself in the small details of his daily life. I let out a soft sigh, thinking about how I’d be leaving in just a few days. Might as well lay everything out in the open and save us both some time. “We never really figured things out between us… but honestly, if you and Eugene got married, that wouldn’t be such a bad—” Before I could finish my sentence, Zelda looked up and slapped me across the face. A stinging sound rang through the air. “What the hell is wrong with you? Luigi only sees me as a sister! Do you think he’s as careless as you?” The side of my face burned with pain. Yeah. Eugene wasn’t like me. He wasn’t careless. I had always tolerated everything Zelda did, letting go of past grudges like they never existed. My eyes burned. My fists clenched tight. She must’ve noticed my reaction because her expression shifted. A flicker of panic crossed her face before she softened her tone. “I didn’t mean it like that… I’m sorry, okay?” For a second, I almost found the courage to tell her everything. “Zelda, in a few days, I’m actually getting—” But I was cut off by her phone ringing. Zelda answered the call. The voice on the other end echoed through the quiet bedroom. “Zee, I had a nightmare… I dreamed that my sister got into a car accident… I woke up, and suddenly, I just really wanted to see you. Can you come over?” “Don’t worry. I’ll be right there,” Zelda answered urgently. She threw on a random coat and was about to leave when she suddenly seemed to remember something. “What were you about to say?” But I had already buried my emotions. “Nothing. We’ll talk when you get back.” But the next morning, the other side of the bed was untouched. Since I’d be leaving soon, I simply quit my job. I had packed up a lot of things last night—most of them were for donation. When I stepped outside to hand the packages to the courier, I noticed a commotion at the apartment across from mine. Workers were moving in brand-new furniture. Even with all the people around, my eyes landed on Zelda in an instant. She was leaning against Eugene’s chest, directing the workers as they arranged the furniture. Zelda had always cared about these details. Back when we first moved in, she did the same—took time off just to oversee everything. She once said, “If you don’t put effort into setting up a home, it’s just a rental.” But now, my home hardly had any trace of her left. “Sir? Sir? Your shipping code?” The courier’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. The people inside the next apartment had clearly heard as well. Just as the courier left, Eugene walked over with a bright smile. “Dude, Zee said I keep having nightmares, so she bought this place. From now on, we’re neighbors!” He stepped closer and then patted my shoulder, looking all cheerful and friendly. This guy took my place—there was no way I’d ever like him, so I ignored him and turned to go back inside. But suddenly, that lunatic punched himself in the face and stumbled backward—right into a worker carrying a cabinet. His lower back slammed against the sharp edge of the cabinet. “Ah!” he cried out in pain. Hearing the commotion, Zelda rushed out. She lifted him, her eyes overflowing with concern. She gently blew on his injured face. Then, she turned to me, looking completely stunned. “The heck, Wallace? Are you some kind of psycho? You just go around hitting people?”

Eugene’s face was pale. “Zee, don’t scold Wallace. It’s me—I shouldn’t have moved in and disturbed you. He’s only upset because he cares about you. Me? I’m just a burden.” “How could you be a burden? You’re my little brother!” Suddenly, a sharp pain throbbed in my temple. No matter how many times I witnessed their sibling-like bond, I only found it irritating and nauseating. Unexpectedly, a hand pressed against my door. “Wallace, apologize to Luigi!” I couldn’t hold back anymore. “He hit himself, and I have to apologize?” Zelda snapped back, “Luigi wouldn’t lie to me. Are you really the kind of man who can’t own up to what he’s done?” I let out a cold laugh. She would always believe only what she wanted to believe. Her dear little brother pretended to mediate from the side. “Please don’t fight because of me. I’m sorry, I hurt myself…” Zelda held Eugene’s hand but glared at me. “I never realized you were this kind of person before. A man like you honestly disgusts me.” Her gaze was like a blade, cutting deep into my heart and making it bleed. In the end, I didn’t apologize. I never would. Eugene kept complaining about his waist hurting, so Zelda had no choice but to help him downstairs. Watching their retreating figures, I suddenly remembered—I needed to go to the hospital too. I hadn’t been sleeping well. I didn’t even know when it started, but sleepless nights had become my norm. I’d tried all kinds of home remedies, and when none of them worked, I finally decided to see a doctor. There weren’t many people at the hospital today, so I got my prescription quickly. On my way down, I spotted Zelda and Eugene. Not that it was surprising—this was the closest hospital to home. Zelda’s sultry figure was pressed tightly against Eugene, one hand holding his waist, the other carrying a bag of medicine. She drew plenty of envious stares from men. “What are you looking at?!” A pregnant woman, seeing her husband eyeing Zelda, pinched him in jealousy. Eugene looked embarrassed, but Zelda remained completely unfazed. We ran into each other at the elevator. I said nothing, but Eugene instinctively put some distance between them. His face was slightly red. “Wallace might get jealous if he sees.” Zelda frowned. “You’re injured. How can you walk without support?” Then, out of nowhere, she turned to me. “Why are you here? Are you sick?” I showed her the medicine. “Just insomnia.” She hesitated for a moment. “I’ll ask my assistant to buy some lavender for you. You can put it in your bedroom.” She wanted to say more, but Eugene interrupted. He started complaining about his waist again, looking more pitiful than someone who’d actually been stabbed there. The elevator descended steadily—until suddenly, with a loud boom, it came to an abrupt stop. The lights went out. “Ah!” Zelda let out a startled cry. She was afraid of the dark. She had claustrophobia. My heart clenched. I called out instinctively, “Zelda! Zelda, are you okay?” She trembled and gave a soft “Mm.” In the darkness, I heard the rustling of fabric. “Zee, hold me tight. Don’t be scared.” “Luigi…” A man’s gentle voice comforting her. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. There had been another time, long ago, when Zelda and I got stuck in an elevator together. The lights had suddenly gone out, and the elevator had stalled between floors. She had trembled uncontrollably, her body drenched in cold sweat. Zelda rarely lost composure in public, but that time—she had buried herself in my arms and refused to let go, clinging to me like a needy kitten. But now, she didn’t need me anymore. She trusted Eugene without hesitation. I could still remember the softness of her in my arms. But she shattered that memory with her own hands. “Luigi, as long as you’re here, I’m not afraid of the dark anymore.” I had no idea how much time passed, but eventually, the lights flickered back on.

The elevator descended normally. As soon as it reached the first floor, I staggered to my feet and rushed out. I drove straight home. Mom had sent me a list of wedding venues to choose from, but I wasn’t in the mood to pick any. I just sat there, quietly watching the clock hands move. I don’t know how long it was before Zelda came back. She brought a bundle of lavender and some food. I opened the container—it was baked Ziti. Zelda had forgotten that I was allergic to gluten. Yet she still apologized with a self-satisfied air. “See how much I care about you? I even remembered that you hadn’t eaten. Hurry up and eat it while it’s warm!” I removed the lid and ate all of it. Almost instantly, rashes broke out on my skin. “Oh no, how did you have an allergic reaction?” Zelda covered her mouth in surprise. But I didn’t care. “Your birthday’s coming up. Come back. Let’s celebrate it together.” She froze for a moment, and then she quickly nodded. I got up and went to find my allergy medicine. As a busy man, I never really learned how to cook properly. The only dessert I can bake decently is cupcakes. But for some reason, every attempt I made today failed. I didn’t want to waste food, so I silently ate all the failed cupcakes. I counted the time. Once Zelda came back and finished celebrating her birthday, it would be time for me to leave. But in the end, I didn’t get to wait for her. She called me. “Luigi, that idiot, burned his fingers while cooking. I have to take him to the hospital first. You go ahead and eat without me.” Oh, her lies had always been really terrible. I couldn’t see her updates on my main Facebook account. But on my alternate account, a new post appeared in her Story. The picture showed two people standing in front of a cake. Colorful confetti floated in the air, frozen in a moment where they smiled and held hands. “Wallace? Wallace?” Zelda was still on the line. I let out a long breath. “It’s fine, no rush.” I liked her post from my alternate account, and then I dumped the cupcakes into the trash. Zelda no longer loved me; letting her go should make her happy. So then I dragged my suitcase and left the house. On the way, I sorted through years’ worth of confusing photos of Eugene and Zelda. Then I posted them to my Story. Plenty of their mutual friends would see those pictures. If I was leaving, well, I wouldn’t let them have it easy either. Before my flight took off, I sent Zelda a message. [Happy birthday. Let’s never meet again.] I didn’t say we were breaking up. Because in our seven years together, she had never once introduced me as her boyfriend. Getting cheated on was just what I deserved—blindly clinging to someone who never wanted me. Right before I turned off my phone, an onslaught of calls came flooding in, and I accidentally answered one.