Upon seeing the little black snake, unrecognizable and lying on the plate, I felt a wave of sadness spread across my face.
Joyce glanced at me but thought I was just pretending.
She resumed her usual arrogant demeanor, crossing her arms and standing beside me, waiting for me to soften and coax her.
"Colten, what I said just now was a bit hurtful, but it was only because you insulted Grayson first. I said that on purpose to vent to him.
"How about this? You apologize to Grayson, and I'll help you make amends so he will forgive you.
"As for what you owe me for hitting me, we can settle that afterward."
Look at how self-righteous she sounded.
It was as if, in her eyes, I was the one causing trouble, while she and Grayson were the innocent victims.
I looked at Joyce coldly. "Can you not understand my words?
"Then listen carefully.
"Joyce, I'm calling off our engagement. I'm not marrying you!"
After that, I walked past her, and she didn't react quickly enough to step aside, so my shoulder hit hers hard.
Joyce cried out in pain and noticed that I didn't stop.
At that moment, she finally realized I was serious.
Joyce started to panic and quickly grabbed my arm.
"Colten, is it really worth it to gamble our marriage on a whim? We're not kids anymore. How can we treat marriage like a joke?
"It's just a snake! I can just buy you another one from the pet market!"
I looked at the woman I had cherished and protected for three years, suddenly feeling so tired, so weary.
For three years, Joyce wasn't unaware of my father's death.
When I was young, my mom divorced my dad and moved far away, and I never saw him again.
My dad had to be both mother and father, raising me all alone.
When I graduated from college and wanted to start a business, my dad didn't pour cold water on my dreams like other parents. Instead, he patted my shoulder and looked at me with encouragement.
"If you want to do it, I'll support you with all my efforts."
But he wasn't a big shot. He was just an ordinary snake farmer.
He spent his life dealing with snakes, and the best way he could think to support me was to wake up early and work hard at the market, promoting the snakes he raised.
I saw it, felt the pain in my heart, and vowed to make something of myself.
Later, when my company finally got a big order, I was overjoyed and rushed home to share the news with him, only to see our old house engulfed in thick black smoke.