My Turn to be Loved

For the birthday surprise of Santino Robinson, I reached out to many friends in advance.

We decorated the house beautifully, and then my friends and I hid in a corner, waiting to jump out and surprise him when he returned.

The door opened, and it was Santino.

But he had his arm around a well-built woman, and a friend who couldn't see what was going on rushed up to set off a salute and turned on the lights.

Colorful streamers gently floated down onto them.

The woman hurriedly covered her revealing outfit.

The sudden brightness made it hard for me to open my eyes, as if everything was a surreal dream.

I saw a flash of panic and bewilderment on Santino's face.

My friends looked at me, seemingly waiting for my reaction.

But I felt a wave of dizziness, and then everything went dark. I fainted.

When I opened my eyes again, my friend Betty Larson was by my side.

"You're awake? The doctor said you fainted because of low blood sugar from not eating all day." she said, handing me a glass of water.

I stayed silent.

I hadn't eaten properly all day while preparing for the party, so it was no wonder I had low blood sugar.

"Leanna..." Betty seemed to have something to say.

I closed my eyes, and all I could see was the scene of Santino cheating on me today.

We've been together for six years, and I've always been the one chasing after him.

I catered to his likes and habits.

He enjoyed spicy food, so I ate it too, even when it left my lips swollen. I silently consumed the dishes he offered.

The family has run out of box after box of stomach pills.

Friends often advised me, "Leanna, why do you humble yourself so much?"

I would smile faintly, thinking that perhaps this was love.

One man's treasure is another man's trash.

I should be angry.

I really should.

When Santino came to the hospital to see me, I was surprised.

Betty, beside me, glared at him, "You have the nerve to show up?"

He said nothing, just looked at me silently.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I nodded.

Santino hesitated and said, "Let's break up."

I had imagined how I would feel if I broke up with Santino, maybe hysterical, overwhelmed with pain like before.

But when it actually happened, I was unexpectedly calm.

I watched the medicine liquid from the bottle trickle down, drop by drop, and then softly said, "Good."

I returned to the home Santino and I shared and took my belongings.

The confetti scattered on the floor reminded me of the absurd events that had just occurred.

Even Betty asked why I was so unusually calm.

I said, "Betty, I don't love him anymore."

I really don't love him anymore.

Six years is incredibly precious to any girl, and during my time with Santino, the constant compromise suffocated me.

Yet, whenever I saw him, I couldn't help but accommodate him, to make him happy.

It was worth all the aggravation I suffered to please him.

Those who are loved have nothing to fear.

Even with my wholehearted devotion, our six-year relationship had its cracks.

Three years ago, I discovered on his phone that he had rekindled his romance with his first love.

For the first time, I lost control and questioned him about his betrayal.

Santino looked at me silently, then sighed deeply, "I'm really sorry."

He said, "Leanna, I love her more."

I no longer want to recall those suffocating memories.

That time was so hard, I pretended to be generous to break up, and then humbled myself like a defeated dog praying for Santino to come back.

I sent countless messages and made numerous calls, but in the end, the cold mechanical voice and the glaring red exclamation mark reminded me that Santino had blocked me.

People say breakups can make you lose weight, and I used to not believe it.

I thought that even after a breakup, one should maintain dignity and respect, and that basic needs like meals wouldn't be neglected.

But I was wrong. I lost both dignity and respect, and meals were completely forgotten.

I found Santino's first love's account on social media.

Her name is Aylin Morley.