Love's Redemption

After getting married, my old love suddenly reappeared.

But it wasn't just him; he brought along his girlfriend too.

--

Seeing Julian, I froze in place, memories from years ago flooding my mind.

Back then, I had secretly gone abroad to surprise him, only to find myself stranded at a transit airport, unable to reach him by all means.

When I finally appeared before him, disheveled and exhausted, he had just returned from a wedding photoshoot with another woman.

In that moment, my world fell apart.

All he offered was a pathetic excuse.

"Listen, she's just a stepping stone to advance my career. The only one I love is you."

So, he could marry someone else while claiming to love me?

Was I supposed to accept him as someone else's husband only because he claimed that he loved me?

I turned around and left, and blocked all his contacts, cutting off all ties.

Yet now, after five years, he suddenly reappears.

"Fernanda, long time no see."

Before I could react, he hugged me tightly.

I pushed him away forcefully, slapping him across the face. "Don't you fucking touch me!"

I stood there, stunned, my clenched fists trembling uncontrollably.

He seemed to have anticipated my reaction, the once-proud man willingly accepting the slap.

He took my hand and placed it on his face. "I deserve it. As long as it eases your anger, I'll take it."

I glared at him, wanting to see just how shameless he could be.

"Fernanda, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have made you wait all those years."

"But I'm back now."

"Fernanda, can we start over?"

The more affectionately Julian spoke, the more repulsed I felt.

I pried his fingers off mine one by one, coldly saying, "No fucking way!"

He tightened his hold, and it took all my strength to break free.

How could he be so shameless?

Seemingly he was about to get on his knees, begging.

"Fernanda, please give me another chance."

I trembled with rage. "You know that's impossible."

Julian ignored my refusal, gripping my wrist tightly. "How? You know I love you deeply and madly!"

At that moment, I could no longer recognized this person.

Before Julian could say more, a voice called out from not far away.

"Sweetheart, is everything fine?"

The familiar voice made me stiffen, and I quickly pulled my hand from Julian's grasp.

This action made him realize something was wrong, and he questioned, "Who is he?"

"None of your business."

I pushed him away and turned to run.

Not watching my step, I crashed into Adrian's arms when I was about to turn. He caught me, holding me protectively.

Adrian, who became my husband just half a month ago.

I didn't know if my panic would make Adrian suspicious; I buried my head in his chest. "Let's go home."

Adrian glanced in Julian's direction, then looked at me with a detached look.

On the way home, he didn't mention what had just happened, but his mood was noticeably tense.

Once inside, I immediately grabbed Adrian as he was about to walk further into the house.

He paused, turning to look at me. "Yes?"

I nervously licked my lips, taking several seconds before speaking. "Give me some time. I'll handle it."

He was a head taller than me, and he looked down at me for a long time. "If you can't, let me know."

Adrian's response was reassuring, yet I couldn't sleep all night.

In the middle of the night, a message from an unknown number came through-

"My mom is sick. Can you come with me to see her?"

It was an unknown number, but I knew it was Julian.

I saw it but ignored it.

A few minutes later, he sent another one.

"Can you do it for the sake of how good my mom was to you all those years? Please."

"She really wants to see you."

"Fernanda, I'm begging you."

Frustrated, I grabbed my phone and blocked him.

Out of sight, out of mind.