Chapter 1

"Be honest. Have you ever done it with Madeline?" The deep voice of a man came through the crack in the door, making me pause as I was about to enter the room. Through the gap in the door, I saw Chris Gildon sitting inside the room. His thin lips were slightly pursed as he replied, "She's made a move on me before, but I wasn't interested." "Chris, don't put her down like that. Madeline's beauty is something that everyone in our circle agrees on. Many people have their eyes on her," commented Chris' best friend, Derick Bowman, who had witnessed our ten-year relationship. "We know each other too well. Do you know what I mean?" Chris' eyebrows furrowed. When I was 14, I was sent to the Gildon estate, where I had met Chris for the first time. Back then, everyone told me that Chris was the person I was destined to marry. It had been ten years since we started living together. "That's true. You work in the same company during the day, so you probably see each other all the time. Then, when you go back, you have dinner together at night. You both probably know exactly how many times the other goes to the bathroom each day," Derick said jokingly. Then, he clicked his tongue before continuing, "Nowadays, it's not about growing fond of each other over time. There has to be a sense of mystery between men and women. It's only thrilling when you want something you can't have." Chris remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Derick's words. "So, will you still marry her?" Derick's question made me hold my breath. Chris' parents wanted us to get married. He hadn't said yes or no, and I hadn't asked him about it. But Derick was now asking on my behalf. Chris didn't say anything. Seeing this, Derick let out a laugh. "You don't want to marry her?" "That's not it…" "That means you want to marry her, but you're not fully content, right?" Derick, who had grown up with Chris, knew exactly what he was thinking. "Derick, have you ever heard of this saying?" Chris asked. "What is it?" "Some things have little to no value, yet one is still reluctant to part with them," Chris replied as he lit a cigarette. The smoke blurred the face that I had admired for ten years. My chest tightened. It turned out that I had become a burden to him. "So, will you marry her or not?" Derick pressed. Chris looked up at him. "You're so keen on knowing the answer. Do you have feelings for her? How about I give her to you?" I was a living person, but Chris was casually offering to give me away like I was just an insignificant object. If I were a pet that he had raised for ten years, he would surely feel some kind of attachment to me, and he wouldn't be so dismissive. It was clear that I meant nothing to him. However, he had been my everything for the past ten years. His words deeply wounded me. I could taste a bitterness rising in my throat. I lowered my head and stared at the marriage license application form in my hand. I bit my lip hard. Derick scoffed. "What are you talking about? I'm not that desperate for a woman." Chris stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and stood up from the couch. "Get out. You're always causing trouble for me whenever you come by." "I'm not the one causing you trouble. It's Madeline. If you don't have any feelings for her, you should break up with her so that she can find a better man," Derick reminded him. He then grabbed his jacket from the couch and headed toward the door. When the door opened, Derick saw me standing outside and froze. Then, he awkwardly rubbed his nose. Realizing that I had overheard their conversation, he forced a smile and asked, "Are you looking for Chris? He's inside." My fingertips felt numb as I clutched the marriage license application form, and I couldn't say a word. Derick glanced at what I was holding. He leaned closer to me and asked, "Have you thought about what it is that you truly want?" His shoulder brushed against mine as he walked away. The light document in my hand now felt heavy and scorching. I swallowed hard, and after a long pause, I finally pushed the door open and trudged in.