After my family went bankrupt, I decided to break up with my poor boyfriend. He didn’t even try to stop me. Later, I worked at a bar to pay off my debts. One day, he showed up—now a tech CEO—with a young, beautiful woman in his arms. He looked at me with disdain and said, “Regretting breaking up with me yet?” I replied, “Not at all.” As I was about to walk away, he grabbed my arm and said, “But I regret it.” 0 So many years after graduation, I never imagined I’d run into Dennis like this again. As I served the fruit platter, I kept my head down, terrified he’d see my face. Serena was sitting next to him. They looked perfect together. “Server.” Dennis called me. “Pour the wine.” My back to him, I slowly poured the liquid. A long time ago, when I loved drinking, Dennis would always mix cocktails for me. He was good at it; every drink tasted amazing. Back then, I thought he loved me. Later, I realized it was just a habit. When he mixed drinks, he thought about everything under the sun, except me. Four years apart felt like an eternity. Somehow, the guests started talking about college romances. Someone said, “I heard Mr. Dennis had a girlfriend in college he dated for four years.” My hand paused. Dennis hummed in agreement. “That’s so sweet, a whole college romance!” Dennis didn’t respond. The person felt a bit awkward, scrambling for something to say. “Dating for that long, it must be unforgettable, right?” Silence stretched like a still river. After what felt like ages, Dennis let out a soft laugh. “Hardly.” “Dennis not hating her was a miracle,” Serena interjected. “Dennis and I went to the same school. Honestly… ugh, he really suffered back then. If it weren’t for his ex-girlfriend, would Dennis and I have only gotten together now?” “Exactly, exactly! Miss Serena is a famous celebrity. No matter how good the ex-girlfriend was, could she really compare to a star?” The atmosphere quickly livened up again. I pulled my cap lower, desperate to leave. I accidentally cut my hand, hissing in pain, which drew the guests’ attention. “What’s wrong? Can’t even pour a drink properly?” Serena complained. “I’m sorry, I’ll go get a clean platter.” I grabbed the tray, ready to bolt. “Wait.” Dennis suddenly called out to me. Every word deliberate. “Turn around.” 2. My body felt nailed to the floor. One second, two seconds. Brenda, the supervisor, walked over at just the right moment. “I’m so sorry, our colleague is new and still getting the hang of things. All your drinks are on the house tonight.” Brenda winked at me. “What are you waiting for? Go get a fresh tray!” I managed to escape. Afterward, Brenda told me, “Next time, be quicker on your feet. We all start somewhere, but if you get a complaint, you’ll work for free tonight.” “Thank you.” “No problem. They’re really particular, a whole room full of VIPs. Especially the youngest and most handsome one in the middle—he’s the CEO of an innovative tech company. We can’t afford to offend any of them.” “Brenda, I’m a bit scared, could you help me deliver the drinks?” “Sure.” I breathed a sigh of relief. If there was anyone in this world who had already completely offended Dennis, it could only be me. I was that despised ex he spoke of. I still remember, at the start of freshman year. Dennis wore faded, worn-out clothes, standing among the new students, completely out of place. He was visibly poor. But also strikingly tall and poised. I loved the cool, clear tone of his voice when he spoke. And I loved the way his thin eyelids lowered when he looked at me. Dennis was really short on cash, and his scholarship spot had been snatched by someone else. So, after a late class one evening, I eagerly grabbed his soft hand. “Dennis, I like you. Be my boyfriend. I have plenty of money, we can share my living expenses. If not, I’ll even pay you for a kiss.” Of course, he refused. But back then, my life was smooth sailing, and I didn’t know what failure was. The more he refused, the more I clung to him. Until his grandpa, who had raised him, became critically ill. Without a blink, I covered his medical bills. Dennis finally gave in. I foolishly thought I’d done a great favor. Only much later did I understand— I got him, but I also broke him. After we got together, he still worked every day to earn his living expenses. He hardly ever used my money, but the situation only worsened. Rumors about Dennis spread throughout the school. They said he’d sold himself for money. His classmates’ gazes changed, and some even called him nasty names. I was still optimistic and naive then, holding his hand and saying, “Ignore them, they’re just jealous.” I lived in my own world, never realizing that Dennis was fighting a lonely battle. That year, my family went bankrupt. I didn’t tell Dennis. I just called him out and said, “Let’s break up.” “Why?” “I’m tired of you.” “Okay.” Just like that, we split. I guessed he was happy then, finally free. On the day we broke up, I snapped my phone’s SIM card, deleted all my contacts, and boarded a train to another city to work and pay off debts. Only three months ago did I return here. Dennis looked great. He was always a straight-A student, the kind of super genius in college who made everyone else feel inadequate. Just four years after graduation, he was already a rising tech mogul featured in finance magazines. Serena used to be a celebrity at our school; she debuted in her junior year. I never expected them to get together. Good for them. My chest ached, and I swallowed the bitter feeling. At 4 AM, I finished my shift. I was the last to leave. My colleagues, thinking no one was left, had turned off the lights early, and the elevator was shut down. I pressed the elevator button in frustration, hoping to light it up. “Make a call.” Dennis’s voice suddenly appeared behind me. 3. I stiffly called a colleague. The elevator restarted, and Dennis and I stood in its narrow confines. “You guys work this late?” he asked, his tone neutral. “We can only leave after all the customers are gone.” “Is the pay good here?” “It’s alright.” I kept my head down, my cap hiding my face. Dennis didn’t seem to recognize me. He chatted idly for a few moments, then checked his watch. “This elevator is so slow. My girlfriend must be getting impatient. She’s very clingy and loves to cuddle.” I froze, realizing he was talking about Serena. “What about you? Working this late, isn’t your boyfriend coming to pick you up?” “I live close by.” The elevator arrived. As soon as the doors opened, I rushed out. Dennis, who had been calm for several minutes, finally erupted in anger at that moment. “Why are you running?” “Where else can you possibly run to, Willow?” “Just vanishing, disappearing completely, was that fun?” Dennis advanced, step by step. He was still the young man I remembered, but the naivety had faded, replaced by maturity and restraint. “Contacts deleted, phone number disconnected, even the professors couldn’t find you. Willow, you’re really something.” I slowly looked up, meeting his gaze. “You must have… used your connections to find out, right? My family went bankrupt, my dad got caught in financial trouble, and we still haven’t paid off our debts…” “Why didn’t you tell me back then?” I was speechless. “Were you too proud, Miss Willow?” “No—” Before I could finish, Serena walked over. “Oh? Willow! It really is you!” She was even more stunning than in college, every strand of hair perfectly in place. “Long time no see! Everyone in class was looking for you. Why have we heard nothing from you for four years?” “I went south.” “No wonder,” Serena looked at my clothes, surprised. “Willow, isn’t that the puffer jacket you bought that year? The filling’s practically gone, and you’re still wearing it?” I used to buy clothes and wear them for one year before throwing them out. She asked that, wanting to embarrass me. But I was numb to it. “It’s not broken, I can still wear it.” Serena understood. “Are you struggling financially now? You should’ve said something, old classmates help each other out.” She pulled out a card. “Take it. No need to pay it back.” “Thanks, but I don’t need it.” I looked at her, then at Dennis, and smiled quietly. “I’m getting married soon. Remember to come.” As my words fell, Dennis’s entire demeanor shifted in shock.
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