Chapter 1

I proposed fifty-two times. Chloe rejected me fifty-two times.

We’d been together for ten years. For the first fifty-one times, she always had the same excuse. She claimed that Hunter, her childhood friend who was like a brother to her, wasn't married yet, so she couldn't walk down the aisle before him.

This time, I looked her in the eyes, unable to hold back anymore. "He’s not even your real brother, Chloe. Since when does his love life dictate ours?"

Chloe’s face darkened instantly. She snatched the bouquet and the ring box from my hands and slammed them onto the ground.

"Julian! Can you stop being so incredibly selfish? I promised Hunter we’d get married around the same time. You can't just throw his happiness under the bus for your own!"

"Besides, we've been together for ten years! Why do we need a piece of paper? Why can't we just keep dating like this?"

I stayed on one knee, staring blankly at Chloe. The roses I had carefully held moments ago were now scattered all over the sand, crushed and messy.

It was supposed to be a romantic proposal. I had rented a private spot on the beach, brought roses, and invited our closest friends to witness it. But now, I felt like a pathetic clown, kneeling in front of her, begging for her love.

It took me a long while to snap out of it. I slowly stood up and let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. To turn our tenth anniversary into such a humiliating disaster—no one could do that to me except Chloe.

Actually, I had seen this exact scene fifty-one times before.

And each time was more exhausting than the last.

From the passionate age of twenty to the mature age of thirty, I had loved Chloe for a whole decade.

I had proposed fifty-one times during these ten years. I thought that making this anniversary proposal the fifty-second time would be a romantic milestone.

But Chloe rejected me again.

The reason was exactly the same as the last fifty-one times. Hunter, her childhood friend, was still single, so she couldn't get married first.

At first, I thought she was just worried because we were young and financially unstable. I thought she was just using Hunter as a temporary excuse, and I understood.

I believed that if I gave her enough security, she would eventually say yes.

So, I worked my ass off. I bought a car, a nice apartment, and built up a solid savings account. I showered her with unconditional love and attention.

Yet, here we were. She still said no.

"Do you really not want to marry me?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Even after being rejected so many times, I still foolishly hoped to hear her say "I do."

"I said no, Julian! Are you deaf?"

Looking at her impatient, annoyed face, something inside me finally died. But I was so hurt. We had been together for ten years! Why wouldn't she marry me? How many ten years does a person get in their youth?

"Chloe, I just want to build a real life with you!"

Chloe shoved me hard. "Just because you want to doesn't mean I have to! I grew up with Hunter. I made a promise to him, and I’m not breaking it."

"Besides, I’ve only known you for ten years. What makes you think you can just ruin the promise I made to him first?"

"And it's been ten years already. Isn't just dating good enough? Marriage is such a hassle!"

Just a minute ago, I was still trying to save our ten-year relationship. But after hearing those words, I knew there was nothing left to save.

"Julian, please don't ever drag me into a embarrassing stunt like this again," she said coldly.

Then, she turned around and walked away without looking back.

Just like the other fifty-one times, her departure was clean and ruthless. She didn't show a single ounce of regret, leaving me standing there alone like a complete joke.

Behind me, our friends started whispering.

Honestly, after my fifteenth failed proposal, very few friends wanted to show up anymore.

They all knew how Chloe treated me. Coming here was just wasting their time.

But this time was different. I had told them this would be my very last proposal and that Chloe would definitely say yes. I wanted her friends to witness her happiness. I had to beg them for days just to get them to come.

I never expected that my final attempt would end up being the biggest joke of all.

I practiced my usual routine of apologizing to everyone and wrapping up the event. Then, I cleaned up the messy beach all by myself.

By the time I took a cab back to our apartment, it was already past midnight.

I opened my phone, and the first thing I saw was a Snapchat story posted by Hunter: *"A bottle of wine, a cup of tea, and being alone is enough."*

Below the caption was a photo. Chloe was fast asleep, resting her head comfortably against his chest.

When she was with Hunter, even in her sleep, she had a sweet, peaceful smile on her face.

That Chloe was lightyears away from the furious woman who had screamed at me on the beach.

My fingers tightened around my phone.

Hunter's existence had always been a thorn between us. I couldn't pull it out, and every now and then, it would twist and hurt like hell.

When Chloe and I first started dating, I asked her if she had feelings for Hunter. If she did, I would have backed off immediately.

But every time I brought it up, Chloe would fly into a rage. She accused me of not trusting her, of having a dirty mind, and of ruining their "pure friendship" with my jealousy.

"Julian, there is absolutely nothing between Hunter and me!"

"When I was a kid, my parents were always traveling. I basically grew up at Hunter's house. He is like an older brother to me. For you to suggest I have feelings for him—are you insane?"

"I promised him we’d get married at the same time way before I even met you. Do you want me to be a liar?"

"As a man, can you stop being so incredibly petty?"

***