That woman said she and Edward had been in love for seven years, but did she know I'd given just as much time?
Eight years of my life, from twenty-one to twenty-nine. Now it feels like it was all for nothing.
After graduating from college, I sent my resume everywhere, looking for a job.
So many big companies offered me opportunities, but I turned them all down and chose Edward's small startup instead.
It was because I saw a spark in his eyes, a dream in his words. I was drawn to his drive and felt like I wanted to join him in the fight.
I wasn't sure if I was just being swept up by my emotions, but at the time, I felt like I had a good eye for spotting potential.
Together, we worked hard, growing from a tiny office to a company with over a hundred employees.
Our relationship evolved from boss and employee to business partners, then boyfriend and girlfriend, and finally husband and wife.
I knew he had an ex-girlfriend named Alina Moore. He often joked about it when we were just bosses and employees.
He said they started dating in their freshman year and had a seven-year relationship, but it eventually fell apart due to reality.
They were almost at the point of discussing marriage, and the bride price was set at 150,000 dollars.
When he finally gathered the money, her family suddenly disagreed and demanded an extra 80,000 dollars.
His family wasn't well off. Even 150,000 was a stretch, and they couldn't afford another 80,000.
He realized this was the family's way of turning him down.
And that's how the relationship ended.
Later, with that 150,000 dollars, he threw himself into starting a business, determined to prove himself. That's how our story began.
The company's business wasn't doing well in the early years, sometimes barely breaking even. During the day, he would suit up and charm clients with a smile.
After work, he often looked defeated and would drag me out for a night of heavy drinking.
When he was drunk, he'd cry and ask me if he was useless.
I knew who he was crying for. Feeling bitter on his behalf, I nodded in frustration, which only made him cry harder.
But I added, "Don't worry, I'll support you."
Honestly, I believed he was capable. He just had bad luck.
One time, when his company was on the verge of collapse, I took out the $300,000 my dad had set aside for my dowry to help him through the crisis.