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But my heart still felt like it was shattered.
If I hadn't gone to Ethan's office,we'd be married next month.
He played his part well—a loving boyfriend,while I loved him for real.
I'd have been the happiest bride.
My emotions unraveled.Alone on the balcony,I sobbed until my voice became broken.
Why did I have to find out?The one person who loved me was gone.
I recalled that when I was seventeen,my parents poured money into my useless brother,hoping to turn him into a genius.
When results were unsatisfying,they blamed the budget.
They demanded that I quit painting to fund him.
I'd only studied art because a teacher saw my talent and convinced my parents.
"Emily's gifted.She's just starting,but she's already better than many.You're investing now,but her future returns will dwarf this."
Hearing"money,"my parents'eyes lit up,agreeing instantly.
But compared to their precious son,my talent was worthless.
Painting had been my dream since childhood.
I begged,even knelt,but my father kicked me,my mother slapped me.
The world was spinning before my eyes,blood filling my mouth.
Still,I didn't give up.
Annoyed,they decided to crush my dream.
My mother and brother pinned me down while my father slashed my hand with a knife,I bled out as they laughed triumphantly.
"You,a painter?You're nothing.Your life belongs to us.We say die,you die—no arguing."
The injury severed my tendons,shattering forever my dream to paint.
Ethan took me to hospitals after hospitals.
I couldn't afford treatment,but he spent every penny of his allowance and worked side jobs.
Grateful,I refused his love,promising to repay him one day,treating his help as a loan.
Every hospital we visired said it was hopeless.
I sank into depression,calling myself useless.
Ethan patiently counseled me.
One day,I found a note from him:
"A firefly in the dark never fears darkness.
As long as your heart lives,miracles will happen.
Write what you want to paint,let your ideas live another way."
I cried,touched.Ethan truly understood me and cared for me.
I let my guard down and embraced him."You're right.If my heart lives,miracles will happen.I won't give up."
Ethan,stunned,stood frozen.
I smiled."I'm saying yes to you."
"Huh?"He scratched his head,confused.
"I'll be your girlfriend."
His eyes lit up,ecstatic like a child.
I saw Ethan as my salvation.
Who'd have thought such love could sour?
That night,I stood on the balcony,painfully erasing Ethan from my heart.
With the wedding only two weeks away,Ethan said he had a business trip.
I knew it was a lie but nodded nevertheless.
Letting go of eight years of love hurt,but I tried.
Ethan,hesitant,said,"I'll be back before the wedding."
I nodded silently.
