Cheated by Ex-boyfriend, I Became Childhood Sweetheart's Girlfriend

I had been with Nelson Carter for ten years, loving him much deeply.

Even though I knew he had grown tired of me, I couldn't let go.

And then I saw him light up all the billboards in the city for a girl's birthday.

I watched him slip our engagement ring onto her finger to make her happy.

From that moment, I realized that I couldn't force love.

That night, I moved out of Nelson's villa, tossed the engagement ring into the trash, and flew to Macaqueron with my packed bags.

Later, Nelson called me late at night, saying, "Pamela, come back when you think it's enough... "

But the voice on the other end was a deep, slightly breathless male voice, "She's busy working on our relationship, no time for you, ex-husband."

1.

On the day of our ten-year anniversary, I took a late-night flight from the northwest, just to give my beloved a small surprise.

But when I returned to our shared villa, I found it dimly lit and lonely.

After asking the villa staff, I didn't even notice their hesitant expressions before heading straight to the club where Nelson was.

My late arrival led me to witness his absurdity firsthand.

"Pamela? I'm tired of her. We've been together so long, she's just suitable to be a wife."

Nelson had a playful, young girl in his arms, his smile careless and wicked.

Other young men playing alongside Nelson laughed, "True, you've been with Pamela for ten years. No matter how beautiful she is, you'd get bored."

"But Pamela is truly a rare beauty."

"Who wouldn't agree? Last time when my mom was watching a drama on TV, I couldn't stop drooling when her scenes came on."

"Nelson, are you really willing to let Pamela go? What if someone else takes her away?"

Nelson scoffed, "Impossible. Pamela can't leave me. If I beckon, she'll come running."

With that, he took a sip of his drink, pulling the girl closer, laughing, "If any of you want to try chasing her, I don't mind."

"Oh, who would dare? Pamela is too picky, and she wouldn't even spare a glance towards us slackers... "

Another round of laughter erupted.

That night, no one knew the person they were discussing stood at the door, hearing every word.

I stood alone at the door, just two meters away from them, called Nelson, and told him I couldn't come back.

But he hung up before I could finish.

I thought that night was the first time I seriously considered breaking up.

2.

Within two hours of landing, I returned to the northwest for an on-location shoot, using work to numb my chaotic heart.

But things went from bad to worse.

Nelson began openly pursuing a girl who hadn't even graduated from college.

He disregarded his status and our engagement, acting as if he had lost his mind.

He spent lavishly, gifting her luxury homes, cars, watches, and jewelry, even booking all the billboards in the city for her birthday.

The grandeur of his pursuit far surpassed what he did for me back then.

It was so grand that even the crew who were closed for filming far away in the northwest heard about it.

By then, I had finished filming and was sitting in the airport lounge, holding my phone, looking at the viral photo in the crew's group chat.

I had to admit, it was a beautifully taken photo.

Nelson was holding a girl in a white dress, their eyes filled with affection amidst countless lights.

Behind them was a huge advertising screen with bold letters, "Happy Birthday, Zoey, from all of Panchicuba!"

On his hand was still our engagement ring.

I looked at the ring, recalling his gentle expression and firm promises when he put it on my hand, remembering our ten years of ups and downs.

I almost masochistically scrolled through the online news.

The more I read, the more I felt our ten-year relationship was a ridiculous joke.

Tears blurred my vision, large drops falling onto the phone screen, silently expressing my endless grievances.

3.

After landing in Panchicuba, I had regained my usual composure.

Adult life moved too fast, even sadness had to fit in wherever possible.

As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I saw the car my friend had arranged for me.

Before I returned from the northwest, my friend had informed me about a gathering they organized to welcome me, and they would pick me up at the airport.

But no one expected Nelson to come, and he flauntingly brought the girl who made headlines with him.

So, when I finally pushed the door open, everyone fell silent.

I saw my friends looking awkward, and Nelson, who was playing with the young girl.

He lowered his head, sliding the ring off his finger and gently placing it on the girl's slender ring finger.

The ring was simple, the diamond sparkling-it was our engagement ring.

The scene pierced my eyes and made my heart go cold.

I smiled and said to everyone in the room, "What's wrong? Not happy to see me back?"

Hearing my voice, Nelson finally looked away from the girl, glancing at me sideways, "Pamela, this is how it is. It's good you saw it, saving me from explaining."

I nodded, expressionless, indicating for him to continue.

"Zoey likes me, she's young and followed me, I won't let her down. But since you've been with me for so long, even if there's no love now, for the sake of our past years, I'll marry you and give you the title of Mrs. Carter. But nothing else."

Nelson's tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head, "No need, I don't think I can handle such a 'prestigious' title. If Mr. Carter truly likes this girl, give her the best, don't let her suffer because of me."

The man in front of me raised an eyebrow, "Alright then."

I stood up, and downed the small glass of wine in front of me, "Then I wish Mr. Carter and Miss Wells a lifetime of happiness together. You all enjoy, I'll be leaving."

I picked up my bag and left the room without looking back.

Nelson only watched my back coldly, not saying a word to stop me.

The room was left in awkward silence and a sudden chill.

A guy trying to lighten the mood asked, "Nelson, is it really over between you two?"

The man with his arm around Zoey's shoulder sneered, "Impossible. She'll be begging for my forgiveness within a week. Nobody wants a woman who's been with me all these years."

4.

I pulled my coat tighter against the cold wind, feeling a chill in my chest colder than winter.

Raising my hand against the sunshine, I looked at the dazzling diamond ring on my left middle finger, feeling more and more ironic.

I took the ring off without hesitation, walked briskly, and tossed it into the trash can.

As if making a firm decision, I turned and left.

Back at the villa, I grabbed the two largest suitcases and packed everything that belonged to me inside.

The only things left were the photo albums and scrapbooks that belonged to Nelson and me, filled with memories of our time together.

Our relationship had lasted so long that these items filled an entire storage box.

Since we were truly over, these things were probably just unpleasant memories for Nelson.

So, I opened several trash bags, found a pair of scissors, and shredded them all, albums and contents alike, into tiny pieces.

And I tossed them into the trash bags.

Dragging my suitcases, I threw the bags into the garbage bin with force.

Before leaving, I took one last look at the house filled with memories of my youth.

I closed my eyes, swallowed my last bit of reluctance, and left Panchicuba without looking back, flying to Macaqueron.

5.

Macaqueron was where I lived during my teenage years, and many people and things I knew resided on this land.

Since my family went bankrupt, this was the first time I had returned on my own accord.

Upon hearing of my return, my best friend excitedly took me around the city, eager to show me all the changes Macaqueron had undergone in recent years.

When she learned about my love life, she first cursed Nelson out.

Then, in her anger, she organized a gathering with some friends, saying she wanted to gather more people to curse him thoroughly.

Since I was in Macaqueron for personal reasons, with no work obligations, I agreed.

My friend was generous, booking the top floor of a well-known club in Macaqueron, and the people she invited were all friends from my school days.

After a few rounds of drinks, she, now tipsy, hugged me with a heart full of sympathy, as if my breakup hurt her more than her own.

"Sweetheart, don't keep your sadness bottled up. you still have many choices, right?"

I patted her head and shook my own. "Do you believe me if I say I'm not as sad as I thought I'd be?"

In truth, ever since I overheard Nelson and his friends talking in a club in Panchicuba, I had anticipated this day.

Our long relationship had seen so many ups and downs that we were both a bit tired of it.

If a relationship was stretched to its limits, no matter how good the quality, it would eventually snap.

To be honest, Nelson wasn't the only one who felt relieved after this breakup.

She nodded, seemingly pleased, and poured me another full glass of wine.

I graciously drank it all.

But the side effect from indulging in desire came swiftly.

Having not drunk so freely in a long time, I soon felt uncomfortable, my stomach churning and twisting.

I frowned, got up, and rushed to the restroom.

But I overestimated myself.

My steps were unsteady, and my vision was spinning. I couldn't even determine the direction, let alone find the restroom.

Just before I lost consciousness, I seemed to see a familiar figure.

But my alcohol-clouded brain couldn't process any information, and I fell into a haze.

6.

When I woke up with a hangover headache, I found myself in someone's arms.

All I could see was fair, well-proportioned skin and toned muscles.

It was clearly a man's body.

Startled, I quickly pushed away the man holding me and wrapped myself tightly in a nearby white blanket.

The man, disturbed by my actions, fluttered his eyelashes and opened his eyes, revealing a face I knew all too well.

Only then did I realize who had been holding me all night.

"Derek Quinn?!"

I could hear my voice crack with surprise.

This man was my childhood friend, the eldest son of the Quinn family in Macaqueron, Derek Quinn!

We hadn't been in touch since I went to college in another city after high school.

Who would have thought our reunion would be in such an awkward situation?

The man, awakened by my noise, spoke in a sleepy, hoarse voice tinged with dissatisfaction, "Pamela, you kept me up all night, and just when I finally fell asleep, you woke me up. How heartless can you be?"

His words suddenly brought back hazy memories of last night's passionate scenes.

My knees almost gave way, and my cheeks flushed bright red in an instant.

"You! You took advantage of me!"

He seemed amused by my flustered state, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Really? Wasn't it you who wouldn't let go of me last night? And someone seemed to enjoy it quite a bit... "

He continued, giving me a meaningful look.

His shameless words left me mortified, my head feeling like it was about to steam.

I covered my ears, ignoring him, quickly dressed, and fled the room that made it hard for me to breathe from embarrassment.

7.

While I was troubled by the unclear night with Derek, I suddenly received a call from a friend in Panchicuba.

"Pamela, aren't you planning to come back to Panchicuba?"

My friend Lindsay's probing voice came through the phone.

"I'm not considering going back for now."

"Ah... but we haven't gathered in so long. Kevin is getting married soon. Won't you come back to join us for his wedding?"

I pressed my lips together. "Congratulations to him... but I don't want to return to Panchicuba right now. I'll pick a nice gift and send it to him."

"Ah... well, that's good too. The climate in Macaqueron is different from Panchicuba, so take care of yourself."

I gave a noncommittal response and ended the call.

Lindsay tossed the phone onto the table, shrugged at the person across from her, barely containing her urge to laugh.

"You heard the call with Pamela loud and clear. She didn't mention you at all. Looks like she's serious this time."

Nelson stared at the phone screen, his face dark as a storm cloud.

He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray with such force that it made a grating sound.

"Serious, my ass. Does Pamela think she can leave me?" Nelson stood up, clenching his fists, his eyes burning with anger.

"Nelson, don't be mad. You know what you did before. Pamela's been with you for ten years. It's natural for her to feel hurt."

"Yeah, dating with a young girl was like slapping Pamela in the face in public, wasn't it?"

Listening to their attempts to calm him, Nelson suddenly erupted in anger. He hurled a glass on the table to the floor, shattering it with a deafening crash. "It's just a woman I've played with from the inside out. Does she think I care? Don't mention her in front of me again!"

Seeing Nelson's furious state, everyone in the room looked at him with sympathy.

"Alright, alright, we won't mention her. Don't get upset. You just got out of the ER. Don't end up back there."

"Come on, it's only been ten days since Pamela left you, and you've been to the hospital several times. Take care of yourself."

Nelson's face grew even darker at these words.

He stood up abruptly, ignoring the chatter, grabbed his coat, and stormed out.

In the hallway, Nelson took out his phone from his coat pocket, staring at the number that represented Pamela.

With a sneer, he added the number to his blacklist and do-not-disturb list.

Pamela, you had better keep up this newfound independence.