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Chapter 1
When Mariela Logan went to pick up Jaime Herman from a drinking gathering, she overheard a conversation coming from inside the private room, and she paused at the door.
“Jay, Juliette is back in the country. What about Mariela?”
Jaime sounded indifferent.“What about her?”
“You’ve been with her for three years already, right? Now that Juliette is back, who are you gonna choose?”
Through the crack in the door, Mariela saw Jaime light a cigarette.
Amidst the swirling smoke, he fell silent for a moment, and then, in a low voice, he said, “I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt Mariela, but I can’t let go of Juliette either.”
His friend sighed, “Juliette is your beloved. Your relationship back then was so intense; it makes perfect sense that you can’t let go of her.”
Another friend of his chimed in, “Come on. Mariela has been with you for three years, and she’s so pretty. And you can’t let go of Juliette? Still?”
Jaime rubbed his temple and said, his voice carrying a hint of weariness, “I admit Mariela is very pretty. I pursued her precisely because she reminded me of Juliette. Over the years, I’ve been trying to find similarities between her and Juliette.”
“So, Mariela is just a substitute?” his friend sighed. “I’m starting to feel sorry for her.”
Another friend asked, “So, when are you planning to break up with Mariela?”
Jaime flicked off the cigarette ash.“We’ll see. Marie is obedient and sensible. I’m reluctant to break up with her.”
His friend next to him patted his shoulder and said, “Jay, think carefully. You can’t have it both ways.”
“Hey, what’s the big deal? Date both,” another of his friends said nonchalantly. “If you feel sorry for Mariela, just buy her some gifts. Women, you know, are easily pleased.”
Jaime sneered, “Not everyone is like you, OK? I’m not a playa and won’t date more than one woman at once.”
Outside the door, Mariela smiled self–mockingly and turned away.
After leaving the restaurant, she walked along the riverbank, recalling every little detail of the past few years she was with Jaime.
They went out for three years, and she thought they were in love.
But it turned out she was just a substitute for Jaime’s first love.
She
stood by the river, with the bustling street on
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
The strong river wind blew her hair.
She made a decision.
She took out her phone and dialed a number.
“Dad, I agree to come home for the arranged marriage.”
her
left and the flowing river on her
right.
The
yellowish
streetlights
were further
dimmed by
the night, with small insects
fluttering
around.
She stood under the street lamp, gazing at the boundless night sky. Her voice was indifferent.“No reason. I’ve had enough fun and want to settle down.
13:12
