One Day My Boyfriend Said He Didn’t Know Me Chapter 07
The next day, the competition results were officially posted online.
Humanity won first prize.
The prize money hit my account while I was eating noodles at a small restaurant.
My phone buzzed for a long time.
I opened the messages.
The organizers were notifying me to pick up my certificate and asking whether I’d be willing to include my work in a citywide touring exhibition.
I agreed without hesitation.
That afternoon, Ryan found me.
He stood at the restaurant entrance wearing that dark gray coat I’d once picked out for him, a paper bag in his hand.
“Emma.”
I looked up at him.
“This place doesn’t serve Sophie’s boyfriend.”
He set the paper bag on the table.
Inside was a thermos.
“I got this for you. So you’d stop drinking cold water all the time.”
“I don’t need it.”
I looked at him coldly.
“I have my own cup.”
I’d always had my own cup.
And I’d always preferred hot water.
That time I’d had cramps, it was because he’d gotten drunk and I’d walked through the rain to bring him home.
From now on, I wouldn’t be walking through the rain to pick up anyone.
And I wouldn’t be doubling over in pain because of anyone ever again.
Ryan stood in the doorway, at a loss.
“Are you still angry with me?”
What a ridiculous thing to say.
“What do you think?”
“Emma…”
His gaze was intense, burning into mine.
After a long silence, he slowly spoke.
“Actually, I don’t blame you for entering the competition behind my back.”
I nearly laughed out loud.
“What right do you have to blame me for anything?”
I was about to close the door when he pressed his hand against the frame.
“Emma, I was wrong.”
I leaned against the doorframe and looked at him.
“Go on.”
Ryan’s expression twisted with pain.
“I shouldn’t have shown your information to the doctor.”
“I shouldn’t have pushed you at the hospital.”
“I shouldn’t have let Sophie film you.”
I asked, “What else?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed.
“I shouldn’t have proposed to you for the sake of another woman.”
I smiled.
“Forgot to mention—there are security cameras here.”
Ryan’s face changed instantly. He looked up, scanning the area in a panic.
“Scared?”
I watched him with a faint smile.
“I lied.”
“You were only filmed for a few minutes and you’re already this nervous—but you let me live under a camera for an entire month.”
Guilt crashed across his face.
“I’m sorry. I really was wrong.”
This apology was far more sincere than the last.
I nodded.
“Received.”
His eyes brightened for a moment.
“But not forgiven.”
The light in his eyes dimmed again.
“Ryan, do you know what I hate most about you?”
He looked at me without a word.
“You always do something you’re good at right when I’m about to give up on you for good.”
“Emma.”
His expression was anguished.
“What I said at the competition—I meant it. I really do love you.”
“I don’t need it.”
His love, his presence—I didn’t need any of it anymore.
I slammed the door shut.
From the other side came the muffled sound of stifled sobs.