Michael chuckled:
- Nope, just a med student training to be a plastic surgeon. I’m not afraid of a crowd. But you don’t need my skills—you’re already stunning. I’m Michael, nice to meet you!
Blushing at the unexpected compliment, she replied:
- I’m Emily, studying to be a pastry chef. It’s great to meet you too.
With a warm smile, Michael suggested:
- Looks like you nailed your quota today. How about we grab some ice cream or coffee at a café? I’m beat and could use a break.
They spent the evening talking, losing track of time. The ease and comfort they felt together made parting unthinkable. Thus began their passionate, whirlwind romance. Michael adored his Emily, affectionately calling her “sunshine” and gifting her lavish bouquets. They strolled through parks, watched movies, and shared fervent kisses in the back rows of theaters. It felt like their lives were incomplete without each other.
As their relationship grew serious, with graduation nearing, marriage seemed imminent. Emily had started working as a chef. But while the couple planned their future, Michael’s parents disapproved. Emily often visited their home, and though his father was cordial, his mother was openly critical, needling the reserved young woman with sharp remarks.
Finally, Michael snapped. One day, he confronted his mother:
- Mom, I get that you’re jealous. But I love Emily, and I’m marrying her. If you keep tormenting her, I’ll move into her dorm. I’m serious.
- Why her? What do you see in her? – his mother retorted. — An orphan, a cook, no prospects. Why settle when there’s Lauren, the daughter of our wealthy friends? Her family’s reputable, your equal.
But Michael stood firm, continuing to see Emily despite his parents’ objections. His jealousy began to flare, imagining other men eyeing her in cafés or on the street. Emily, hurt by his mistrust, reassured him she loved only him. But one day, Michael received an anonymous letter with photos of Emily embracing and kissing a bearded stranger. It sparked a massive fight.
Waving the photos, Michael accused her of betrayal. Emily sobbed, swearing her innocence, but he refused to believe her. Their argument was explosive. Deeply wounded, Emily insisted she was blameless, but Michael, consumed by jealousy, couldn’t forgive what he saw as deceit.
Weeks passed. Michael cooled off but couldn’t shake his longing for Emily. Deciding to reconcile, he visited the café where she worked, only to learn she’d quit. Her phone was disconnected. At her dorm, the guard said she’d moved out without a forwarding address. Desperate, Michael searched for her, but she’d vanished.
Sinking into depression, he withdrew, going only to work. His mother, rather than comforting him, worsened his pain, constantly bringing up Emily:
- I told you she was trouble. Probably ran off with someone else and forgot you. I saw Lauren yesterday—she’d love to visit. You should give her a chance.
The next evening, Lauren did show up. Michael’s parents conveniently left for a friend’s, leaving them alone. Lauren, confident and bold, pulled out a bottle of expensive vermouth and said with a smirk:
- Let’s cut to the chase, Michael. Our parents are dead-set on us getting married, no matter what. I’m not thrilled, but being a surgeon’s wife sounds nice. Free touch-ups, right? Come on, grab some glasses—let’s drink to us.
Michael gave a bitter laugh:
- You really think you can marry without love and be happy? I don’t buy it. But I’ll drink. My heart’s a mess after losing Emily. I can’t stop thinking about her—she haunts my dreams. I just want to get drunk and forget.
They drank heavily, glass after glass. By dawn, Michael woke in a panic to find Lauren asleep beside him. Shaking her awake, he stammered:
- Lauren, what happened? Did we… were we together?
Laughing, she replied:
- Seriously, Bennett? You think I’m just lying here for fun? Of course we were! And you forgot? That’s almost insulting. You were so sweet last night, all those compliments, and then you seduced me.
Clutching his head, Michael groaned:
- I’m sorry, Lauren. I don’t know what came over me. Damn alcohol. This was a mistake—it shouldn’t have happened. I love Emily…
But Lauren wasn’t letting go. Pouting, she snapped:
- Oh, no you don’t. You don’t get to sleep with me and call it a mistake. We’re together now, like it or not. Try to ditch me, and I’ll tell my dad. You know his connections—he’s not someone to mess with. Call me a cab, I’m going home. And tonight, we’re going to an art gallery—Dad got us tickets. Stop moping over your orphan girl; she’s long gone. Live a little!
Under parental pressure, they soon married in a lavish ceremony. But Michael didn’t love Lauren. Over time, her beauty faded in his eyes, and her flashy demeanor grated on him. To outsiders, they were the perfect couple: Michael, successful and handsome; Lauren, glamorous and poised. They held hands and smiled in public, but at home, they lived separately, barely speaking.