I had always known Argos Felgherra was destined for someone else. His parents had made that abundantly clear when they arranged his marriage to Alice, his childhood friend, and someone they deemed suitable to stand beside him. Argos was born into an upper-class family, while I hailed from the lower class, a reminder that no matter what I do, I can't reach him.
But that didn't change the fact that Argos and I had shared a whirlwind romance—our moments, whispered secrets, and promises exchanged under the stars. Those days have been the best moments of my life yet a cruel twist of fate awaited us. His mother, especially, forced us—or rather, me—to break up with him, insisting I was unfit to be her perfect daughter-in-law. In the end, she offered me a high sum of money to part ways with her son. I swallowed my anger and accepted the money, believing it was the only way out.
Argos fought for our love, pleading with his parents to let him live his life on his own terms. But eventually, he relented—partly because I had broken up with him.
I still remember our break up like yesterday and it pains me to see him like that. We were at our favorite park, just sitting there staring at the calm lake when I decided to speak.
"Let's break up," I declared, my voice trembling yet resolute.
"W-what?" He chuckled nervously, disbelief flickering in his eyes. "Rafa, is this about my mother again? I told you, I can handle this."
"This isn't about your mother, I just want to break up with you."
Frustration crossed his face as he grasped my hands tightly. "Then what's wrong? Tell me! I can change. What's the point of breaking up?"
"I'm serious Argos. I'm getting tired of you."
"N-no. Why would you get tired of me? You're breaking up with me because of money, isn't it? Even if you break up with me, don't worry—I can pay you! Just stay by my side."
The tears I had fought so hard to suppress now threatened to spill. "You don't understand. I thought rich men are hard to get but you're the opposite of it and I'm getting bored you."
"Hahaha, that's a nice joke but," he sighed, rubbing his face in frustration. "I don't understand. We were fine just yesterday. What changed?" He cupped my face, desperation brewing in his eyes. "Rafa, my baby, please tell me. What's bugging you?"
I gritted my teeth, summoning every ounce of strength to push him away. "I found somebody else. He's richer and more fun to play with."
His face fell as he sank to his knees, tears pouring down his cheeks. The sight nearly shattered me. I longed to tell him I was only joking, that I hadn't meant those cruel words.
"N-no tell me you're j-joking. Who else is richer than me?"
I looked away from him, "That's none of your business."
D-did you... Did you ever love me?" He said trying to wipe his eyes.
"No." Yes, I love you.
"N-not even once?"
"Not once, so break up with me." I love you ever since the day we first met.
"T-that's okay." His voice broke, cracking my heart. "I'm okay with that. I can give you what you want if you marry me." He looked deep into my eyes, a mix of love and pain evident. "Rafaela, will you m-marry me? I don't have a ring right now, but I'll soon buy whatever you like. Just stay with me, even if you don't love me." His tears cascaded like a waterfall while smiling at me.
My eyes were getting misty from seeing him in a miserable state. My heart ached for him. I wanted nothing more than to say yes, to wrap my arms around him and kiss him deeply, to apologize for all the harsh words that tumbled from my lips.
But before he could see my tears, I turned and walked away. I had made a deal I intended to fulfill.
"Rafaela!" he called, desperation lacing his voice.
I halted in my tracks, tension coursing through me.
"If you take one more step, I swear I'll forget you!"
Tears streamed down my cheeks. It felt better for him to forget me than to endure the aching memories of the cruel words I had uttered.
I walked again but stopped when I heard him shout.
With a heavy heart, I continued walking, even as I heard him shout behind me. "Rafaela, don't leave me! Don't you remember our promise together?!"
Never. I never once forgotten our promise to each other. But in this situation, promises were meant to be broken. I didn't want this but I continued to walk away from him, my everything.
You must be thinking that I'm a gold digger right now. But no, I did that to survive this harsh world. I don't want to be a hindrance to his success, I know that he'll soar higher than tying him down with me. It hurts, but what can I do? The poor always get stepped down on.
We didn't meet each other again even after three years have passed.