The Beautiful View Outside the Window

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The day before my wedding, my boyfriend went cycling to relax. That evening, I saw an update from his childhood friend on social media.

Successfully checked in for the 165th day of cycling! Exhausted during the day, so its time to truly unwind tonight.

In the photo, a mirror reflected a room with a strong atmospheric vibe. In a corner next to it, a man was undressing, and on his exposed waist, a vibrant, dark rose tattoo bloomed.

I dont know what someone commented, but she replied, Hehe, ever heard of seven times a night?

I quietly liked the post and commented, Sounds good. Have fun.

After commenting, before I could calm down, Harry called.

As soon as I answered, a barrage of accusations came through.

"Sharing a room was arranged by the cycling captain. Everyone's assigned that way. Don't make trouble out of nothing."

"And, as a fellow woman, why are you so malicious? Olivia, you're truly disgusting."

Hearing his full-on accusations, my breathing hitched, and a dull ache spread through my chest.

He had said that morning that he was feeling heavy-hearted and wanted to relax one last time before the wedding, and he promised he'd be back soon.

But by evening, I had cooked dinner and waited for him, only for him to say that the cycling team was having a party tonight, and as vice-captain, he couldn't get away. He wouldn't be back until tomorrow.

He had also told me to wait patiently at home, and he would pick me up for the wedding venue on time tomorrow.

Now, however, everything felt utterly repulsive.

I took a deep breath and asked him, "Is it against the law for guys in your team to stay with other guys?"

It was a perfectly normal question, yet on the other end, I heard choked sobs. "Since Olivia doesn't like me, I'll leave right now, Harry. You don't have to worry about me."

Harry instantly bristled, his voice deep and stern: "Don't mind her. She's going through menopause."

With that, he hung up directly, not waiting for me to speak.

Staring at the screensaver that reappeared from the call page, the air around me seemed to turn bitter.

His words were like ice-cold water infused with a thousand years of frost, rushing at me, extinguishing all my hopes and joy.

A man and a woman, alone in a room. I dared not imagine what might happen.

Because the more I thought, the more disgusted I felt.

As things stood, marriage was out of the question.

I looked at the wedding room I had meticulously decorated bit by bit, a self-deprecating smile on my face.

I had thought marriage was a matter for two, but now it seemed I was the only one immersed in a beautiful dream I had woven for myself.

I took a deep breath and took off the traditional gown.

Then I took out a suitcase from the wardrobe and packed my clothes.

Once packed, I sent him a message, "Let's break up."

Message sent. I deleted his contact information one by one.

As if doing so could completely erase him from my world.

I didn't go home; instead, I found a hotel to stay in.

Whatever happened next, it had nothing to do with me.

The next day, I was still sound asleep when my phone on the bedside table rang urgently.

I picked it up and saw it was a call from my mom.

After a moments thought, I answered, and a barrage of accusations followed.

"Olivia, where have you and Harry been messing around? Why haven't you come to the hotel yet? His phone is also unreachable. What in the world is going on with you two?"

Hearing this, I was stunned for a moment.

I quickly realized he must have been too engrossed in pleasure last night, perhaps overly exhausted.

I pursed my lips and told her, "Harry and I broke up. The wedding is off."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Get your butt over here right now!"

Just as I expected, my mom didn't approve of my decision to break up.

She insisted I find Harry and go back to have the wedding.

Hearing her furious scolding, I remained quite calm, "Don't even think about the wedding. He's seeing someone else."

At this, she paused.

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then she said, "Then come back, and we'll talk properly."

I hummed in response, hung up, and got up to wash.

After I was done, Harry sent me a message using someone else's phone.

He completely ignored my breakup message from last night, selfishly stating: "You were too much yesterday. You made that girl cry for a long time. It took me ages to calm her down. When we get back, you need to treat her to dinner and apologize."

"As for the wedding, consider this a punishment for you. Next time, don't bully people so casually."

Looking at his message, my eyes filled with mockery.

What did I do to make him think I couldnt live without him?

I lowered my head and replied, "We've already broken up. What you do has nothing to do with me. Don't contact me again."

After sending the message, I blocked that number as well.

Done with that, I took my luggage and checked out of the hotel.

When I got home, my mom was still pacing angrily in the living room.

I thought she was on my side, standing up for me, so I said softly, "Mom, don't be angry. I've broken up with him. We won't have anything to do with each other ever again."

These words were like lighting a fuse.

My mom instantly flared up, glaring at me with disappointment. "Because of such a small matter, you want to break up? When you're being unreasonable, did you ever think about where I'd put my face?"

Hearing this, I froze, looking at her with wide eyes and utter astonishment.

It turned out her anger wasn't because of Harry's despicable actions, but because I had decisively broken up with him.

In an instant, my whole body started trembling uncontrollably.

"Mom, are you saying I should just tolerate it?"

"What else? It's normal for men to be unfaithful. You're the one he's about to marry. Why bother with those common mistresses outside?"

My mom earnestly tried to persuade me, but I felt a chill shoot up from the soles of my feet.

My dad was a scoundrel in his youth, always having affairs. At first, my mom would argue and fight with him, but later, after seeing it too often, she got used to it, only asking him to send money home on time each month.

To this day, he lives freely outside, with her as his wife in name only.

Which neighbors haven't gossiped about us behind our backs?

She knew how painful it was to be stuck in such a marriage, so why did she want to drag me into it too?

"Mom, this isn't the marriage I want! I want a loyal husband..."

"What dream are you living in?" My mom impatiently cut me off. "I don't care what you think, you will get married whether you want to or not! The invitations have already been sent out. If you back out now, you're disgracing me!"

"No more talk, come with me now to find Harry. We'll apologize to him, and once he forgives you, we'll discuss the new wedding date."

Her words infuriated me so much I almost couldn't breathe.

But I firmly stated my position, "I'm saying it again, Harry and I have no future! No matter what you do, it won't change that fact!"

Her attitude was equally stubborn, insisting I apologize.

Annoyed, I picked up my luggage and left again.

I walked aimlessly down the street, everything familiar blurring as my emotions were released.

Harry and I met on a blind date. He had the unique charm of a mature man. Although sometimes he lacked romance, he was never a buzzkill.

He loved cycling, and I couldn't even ride a bike. To keep up with him, I would often practice riding whenever he wasn't around.

Even after countless falls and bruises, I persisted.

Later, when I finally learned, I wanted to go cycling with him to relax, but he said, "You're a beginner, unsteady on the bike. Joining us would slow us down. You should practice more first."

He rejected me without hesitation, yet turned around and taught Clara how to ride, even frequently inviting her out for rides in his free time.

I argued with him several times over this. At first, he would try to appease me, but over time, he grew increasingly impatient.

He told me, "Those with a dirty mind think everything is dirty."

I was unfairly accused, but because I liked him enough, I chose to silently endure it.

Because in a relationship, one person always gives more than the other.

He wasn't good at expressing emotions, so I would.

Gradually, I became accustomed to this giving, and he began to take it for granted.

But I just wanted a home of my own; why was it so difficult?

I choked up, raising a hand to wipe away the tears from my eyes.

I couldn't stay at home. Until I found a suitable apartment, I could only continue living in a hotel.

Fortunately, I still had a stable job, which was the only solace in my chaotic life.

The day after my emotions stabilized, I went to work.

After a meeting, I was about to start working when I saw the manager walk in with a beautiful woman.

She had a bright smile on her face, greeting everyone in the office one by one.

When her gaze fell on me, her smile widened. "Olivia, what a coincidence, you're here too."

Seeing Clara greet me, my calm demeanor rippled slightly.

She was a new employee, yet the manager personally introduced her.

He clearly wanted to tell everyone that her status was out of the ordinary.

I didn't respond to her, and she didn't get angry, her gaze shifting away from me.

In the afternoon, as I was leaving the company, Clara walked towards me.

She smiled and said, "Harry is coming to pick me up later. Let's go together."

I showed no emotion. "No, it's not on my way."

Clara covered her mouth in surprise, her face still smiling. "Olivia, are you still upset about us staying in the same room that day?"

"We're adults. Don't be so old-fashioned..."

I sneered, "Your open-mindedness is your business, and who you flirt with is also your business. Don't try to morally blackmail me."

The moment those words left my lips, I felt a burning gaze from behind me.

Harry strode over, his face dark, staring at me.

"I thought you would realize your mistake, but you're still so unreasonable! We're both women. Don't you think spreading such false rumors is despicable?"

I gave him a cold look. "If the dog doesn't bark, why would I curse it? Mr. Hayes, please control your woman and tell her not to bark."

I rolled my eyes at both of them and turned to leave.

But someone grabbed my arm directly.

His face was terribly dark, and the anger in his eyes seemed ready to erupt.

"Olivia, who told you to curse like that? Apologize!"

"Let go! Why should I apologize?"

I felt I had said nothing wrong, done nothing wrong. Why did everyone expect me to apologize?

The disgust in my eyes was exceptionally clear. Harrys face froze slightly, and he looked at me sinisterly. "Fine! Very well. I hope you can remain this tough in the future."

With that, he released my hand, turned, and left with Clara.

They hadn't walked two steps before Clara smiled and linked arms with him, not forgetting to cast a provocative look back at me.

Honestly, such behavior was quite childish.

But unfortunately, some people fell for it.

My heart sank, and I turned to leave.

In the evening, after showering, I began to work on the unfinished design from today.

Just as I was deeply engrossed in my sketches, my phone on the desk suddenly lit up.

It was a video from Clara.

I hesitated for a moment, intending to delete it, but accidentally clicked on it.

As the video played, a familiar voice drifted out.

"Oh, Harry, all of this is my daughter's fault. She's not thinking clearly right now, so please don't take it to heart. She only said she wanted to break up, but she doesn't really mean it. As her mother, I have the most right to say so. This child has always been like this, quite annoying..."

Hearing her words, I couldn't help but tremble.

Why would she do this? Why would she so cruelly bring up my pain in front of others?

My dysfunctional family was already a hurdle I couldn't overcome, a reality I didn't want to face.

There were many things I hadn't told Harry until now.

But she revealed everything, displaying my pain without reserve in front of others.

Clara only sent a video, but I could imagine how triumphant she must be feeling right now.

My mind crashed, and my cold hands and feet trembled helplessly.

By the time I reacted, the video had finished playing.

I stumbled to my feet, grabbed my phone, and rushed out to find her.

The moment I hurried into the elevator, I noticed in the reflection that my face was already streaked with tears.

I choked back sobs, trying to wipe away the tears, but they only flowed more fiercely.

So much so that when I got into the taxi, the driver sympathetically said, "Young lady, please accept my condolences."

I didn't speak, just kept wiping my tears.

When I got out, I quietly said thank you.

Yes, I should accept my condolences.

A mother like her, in a way, was no longer there.

I rushed to Harry's house.

As soon as I entered the password and stepped inside, I saw a woman about to kneel before Harry.

And Clara standing nearby, enjoying the spectacle.

My face darkened, and I strode over, pulling her almost bent body up. "What are you doing?"

My mom saw me and, as if seeing a savior, grabbed my hand and said, "You came at the right time. Hurry and apologize to Harry. This was your fault, and apologizing isn't shameful."

She pressed on my back, desperately trying to push me to the ground.

Harry frowned deeply, saying indifferently, "No need to apologize to me. Just apologize to Clara. After all, she's the one who was verbally attacked."

"Oh, right, hurry and apologize to Miss Clara."

She dragged me, then apologized to Clara.

I couldn't stand it anymore. I directly shook off her hand and roared, "Enough!"

My mom was stunned by my shout, looking at me in shock.

Harrys frown deepened, and Clara instinctively shrank behind him. "Olivia, don't be angry. Auntie means well..."

"Yes, see how sensible Clara is? Why don't you understand my good intentions?" My mom patted her chest, heartbroken. "Everything I've done, I did because I want you two to be happy. Otherwise, how could I put aside my pride as an elder to help you apologize?"

"Auntie, please go home. Olivia is emotionally unstable right now. I'll talk to her properly once she calms down."

My gaze swept over the three people standing united before me, and I let out a cold, mocking laugh.

"Talk about what? About your illicit affair with her, or about when you two got together?"