Chapter 9: The Last Straw

"So what do you mean? Why have you been avoiding me?"

Her eyes darted, her words faltered. "You know, I’m under a lot of pressure, my mom…"

"Cut the crap. You’re marrying me, not your mom. I want a straight answer: are we getting married or not?"

She hesitated, but when I mentioned marriage, her eyes grew determined: "If we’re getting married, I need an engagement gift. Derek is here too, so let’s make things clear. You know he’s been pursuing me, and after the buyout, he’ll get at least five condos. If you can’t give me $150,000 for a ring, don’t even think about marrying me."

Fine. Like an old-school auction for a bride, two guys bidding openly.

"No engagement gift. But if we get married, I’ll treat you well for life. If not, let’s break up now and have nothing to do with each other."

She bit her lip and stayed silent for a long time.

Suddenly, all my tension vanished. I let go, and Derek fell back into his chair, cursing: "Damn, you want a wife without paying? Dream on."

"If she chooses me, she’ll never have to worry about money—five condos, just the rent is enough. What do you have, loser?"

I punched him in the face, making him yelp, “Ow!”

My family doesn’t hit women. What a pity.

"She’s all yours."

I straightened up and didn’t even look at Natalie.

I walked out of the coffee shop and back to my car. My steps were unsteady. When I collapsed into the driver’s seat, I realized I was drenched in cold sweat.

My heart felt like it was being crushed—I couldn’t breathe. Five years—so many moments flashed through my mind. I remembered how Natalie used to insult Derek, then saw them holding hands, and felt sick to my stomach.

Tyler followed me to the car, grinning mischievously. Seeing my dark expression, he joked, holding back: "Bro, want to grab a drink? Celebrate your return to bachelorhood?"

He popped the tab on a Pabst and handed it over. “Cheers to dodging a bullet, man.”

It really is something to celebrate—seeing someone’s true face before marriage.

He tossed me a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon from his truck, and for a moment, we just sat in silence, listening to the cicadas. I took a long swig and let the bitterness settle in.