On the eve of our wedding, my fiancé received a "dying wish" letter from his late mentor, asking to postpone our wedding. He pulled his mentor's daughter along and explained to me. "Audrey, the Professor was my most important mentor. He passed away from illness, and his family is left all alone. I can't just ignore them. Let's put our wedding on hold for now." "I must repay his kindness." I was silent for three seconds, pulled out a calculator, and started crunching numbers. "Fine. You're a sentimental guy who knows how to repay a debt. Let's part ways amicably." "Settle the bill, and the wedding is canceled." 1 On the eve of my wedding, I got dumped. It all started early in the morning when I received an unfamiliar letter mailed from the dorms at MIT. The recipient was my boyfriend of four years, Nolan Hayes. ... My fiancé, Nolan Hayes, was a legend at our university. From his very first day on campus, his outstanding grades and striking looks earned him the title of the elusive "Ice Prince" of the engineering department—a rare find in a decade. I chased him for two solid years. It was sheer, relentless persistence that finally allowed me to catch the cold, distant moon all the underclassmen idolized. Nolan was naturally brilliant. Plus, he majored in a highly sought-after STEM field. Right after graduation, he joined the R&D team of a major tech firm in Boston. Two years later, he struck out on his own, founded a startup, and became the "tech genius" everyone praised. I was a year behind Nolan. By the time I graduated, Nolan was already a well-known name in his industry circle. Everyone said I was average-looking but incredibly lucky—that I knew how to seize an opportunity and effortlessly bagged the "Ice Prince." They didn't know how much I sacrificed for him. When he was depressed, I kept him company. When he started his company, I funded it. I never imagined that all the time and energy I invested in Nolan Hayes would vanish into thin air because of an unsigned "dying wish" letter. Nolan's single sentence about "repaying a debt of gratitude" ended the beautiful wedding I had envisioned. 2 The "dying wish" letter wasn't long. Just a few lines, but every word was earnest. The writer spoke calmly of their impending death and the sorrow of leaving a family behind with no one to care for them... At first, I thought it was a prank. The letter read so bizarrely, like something out of a cheap soap opera. Just as I looked up to make a joke about it to Nolan, I realized he was already in tears. Nolan's voice trembled, his tone slow and soft as he explained it to me. "Audrey, this letter... it must be from Professor Davis, my college mentor. Right before I graduated, I heard Professor Davis had to take a leave of absence for medical treatment. I didn't expect... he'd be gone in just two years." "This is a letter he wrote in advance. Professor Davis was worried that after he passed, his family wouldn't be well taken care of, so he left this 'dying wish' for me." As Nolan said, Arthur Davis was his major professor and thesis advisor for four years of college. During his time there, Professor Davis took great care of him. Several of the major research projects Nolan used to build his resume were recommended and overseen by this professor. After reading the letter, Nolan frantically called upperclassmen from his department to ask about Professor Davis's current situation. Upon learning that Professor Davis had passed away six months ago, he sat in the living room in silence for half the day. I also felt deeply saddened by Professor Davis's passing and suggested we send some things to his family to express our condolences. But Nolan refused. He said Professor Davis was a man of strict principles who disliked straightforward gift-giving. To truly thank the professor, he had to use the most sincere method. Seeing him so down, I walked over, gently placed a hand on his shoulder, and comforted him softly. "I understand you want to help Professor Davis. Do whatever you need to do. I'll be your strongest supporter..." "I can also take some time off and go with you to visit his widow..." For some reason, upon hearing this, Nolan's gaze became evasive. It was almost a reflex; he quickly shot down my suggestion. "No, no need... You didn't know Professor Davis well, and you don't know his wife. I'll just find some underclassmen who knew them to go with me..." I was surprised by his reaction. He took my hand and patted it. "Audrey, you really don't need to worry about Professor Davis's situation. I can handle it." "I must repay the professor for his kindness." 3 Considering how deeply Nolan cared about this, I didn't plan on interfering too much. On Friday after work, I booked a table at a rotating restaurant downtown, thinking we could have a nice, relaxing evening. But I couldn't reach his phone no matter how many times I called. I only found out by asking mutual friends that Nolan had taken some alumni from his cohort to visit Professor Davis's family that afternoon. It wasn't until 6:35 PM that he finally returned my call. Hearing me mention the restaurant, his tone grew conflicted. "Audrey, I brought some people to visit Professor Davis's family this afternoon. His wife made dinner, and I really can't just leave. Why don't you ask someone else to grab dinner with you?" The other end of the line was noisy and lively. Suddenly, a bright, cheerful female voice came through the receiver. "Senior Nolan! What are you still doing? The food is on the table, hurry up and come over, we're about to eat~" I was just about to ask who that was, but Nolan hastily dropped a "Talk to you later" and hung up the phone. I sat in my seat holding the disconnected phone, stunned for a long while. The waitress pushing a cake and holding flowers hesitated for a moment before bracing herself to ask. "Ms. Vance, would you like the cake now or later? And... these are complimentary flowers from the restaurant. Happy Birthday." I gave her a friendly smile and reached out to take the flowers. "I'll take the flowers, but you can skip the cake. Feel free to do whatever with it." "Also, please clear away these balloons and candles. It's pretty awkward eating alone with all this..." On the display screen across the table, blue text clearly stated— [July 18th, The Starlight Restaurant and all its staff wish Ms. Audrey Vance a very Happy Birthday~] Today was my 27th birthday, and also our four-year anniversary. Nolan had completely forgotten. 4 It was nearly midnight when I finally waited for Nolan to come home. A familiar underclassman brought him back. As soon as the door opened, the strong stench of alcohol hit me. After seeing the underclassman off and cleaning up the vomit-stained floor, the clock on the wall had already ticked past 12. I sighed, looked helplessly at Nolan sprawled on the bed, and dutifully helped him take off his jacket and change his clothes. As my fingers touched the white collar of his shirt, my eyes were drawn to a streak of bright red. It was a lipstick smudge. Looking at the shade, it was probably classic Dior red. Instantly, a bizarre feeling washed over me. After thinking for a moment, I reached out and grabbed Nolan's phone from the nightstand. Right on cue, an unknown contact named [Hazel] sent a text message. [Senior Nolan, did you get home okay? Thank you for taking care of our family. My mom said she wants to invite you over for dinner again later, you have to come when you're free~] Attached to the text was a photo of a warm, cozy dinner table. I silently turned off the phone and listened as Nolan mumbled incoherently to himself. "It's all... my fault. Back then... why didn't I insist..." "Professor Davis is gone... what will Hazel do... what will her mother do..." Nolan's drunken rambling made my heart clench. I instinctively looked up at the oil painting that had been hanging near the bedroom door for a long time. The painting depicted a round, plump hazelnut. The artist's brushwork was lacking, and the colors had bled a bit. I had once asked Nolan why he hung such a messy painting in such a prominent place in the bedroom. He just said it was a gift from an old friend and had special meaning. Looking at it now, the meaning of this painting was indeed special enough to make one sick... Actually, long before Nolan and I started dating, I had heard that he had his first love during his freshman year of college, and he couldn't get over her for a long time after they broke up. I never expected that after 4 years of love between Nolan and me, this mysterious "White Moonlight" first love would use a "dying wish" letter to re-enter Nolan's life. Adding such a heavy, dark stroke to my originally smooth-sailing love story that was nearing its natural conclusion. Nolan was famously respectful of his teachers. When he made such a grand show of gathering people to visit his mentor's orphaned family, everyone naturally interpreted it as "repaying a debt of gratitude." Only I, the person who shared his bed, could see clearly what kind of chaotic emotions were hidden in the furrowed brow of the drunken Nolan. I was also curious. What kind of person was this [Hazel] that he kept muttering about even in his sleep? 5 When I went home on Saturday, my parents made a huge feast to celebrate my birthday. In conversation, they constantly urged Nolan and me to get married. Nolan probably didn't sober up until the afternoon. I don't know how he remembered that yesterday was my birthday and our anniversary, but he called seven or eight times in a row to explain. Before I could even ask about Hazel, he proactively told me about the situation of his visit to his mentor's family yesterday. His tone carried a hint of probing. "Audrey, there were a lot of people around yesterday, so I couldn't talk to you properly on the phone about the professor's family... Anyway, since Professor Davis passed away, his wife and daughter have been having a really hard time..." "Even though his wife has a pension, her health hasn't been great. And Professor Davis's daughter just got back from studying abroad. She's not very adapted to the domestic job market and hasn't been able to find a job..." "I was thinking, since my company is still in its startup phase, and I need someone to help manage things, I'm going to bring the professor's daughter in as our accountant to manage the finances. We know her, so it's trustworthy." I caught the key phrase in his words and pointed out the crucial figure. "Professor Davis's daughter?" On the other end of the phone, Nolan's tone stalled for a moment. "That... Professor Davis's daughter, her name is Hazel Davis. She studied finance management, just got back from studying abroad not long ago. Everyone calls her Hazel." I let out an "Oh," and said slowly. "Professor Davis helped you a lot. I understand you wanting to repay him." "But isn't it a bit reckless to just hire his daughter to manage the finances?" "Just last month you asked a friend to find a well-known accountant in the industry. That person hasn't even been here a month, and you're planning to replace them? It wouldn't look good if word got out." I always kept personal and business matters separate. Even though I knew the past relationship between Professor Davis's daughter, Hazel, and Nolan was anything but ordinary, I still raised doubts about his idea from an objective standpoint. What completely surprised me was that the usually calm and composed Nolan actually became uncharacteristically agitated after hearing my words. "Audrey, I just couldn't stand seeing Professor Davis's family struggling so much, so I wanted to give Hazel a hand..." "If we hired an accountant, we can just let them go. What's the big deal? Why do you always have to be so difficult about these things? Hazel is really great. I guarantee you'll like her once you meet her..." I was stunned by his words. When I spoke again, I couldn't help but sneer. "I'm being difficult?" "Nolan Hayes, if I really wanted to be difficult, I should immediately remind you that the real reason you called today was to apologize for forgetting my birthday and our anniversary yesterday..." "Instead of rambling on to me about your mentor's dying wish, and how hard your professor's wife and little junior are struggling." In four years of dating, I had never spoken so bluntly. "You can hire whoever you want for the rest of the company, that's none of my business. But get this straight: the reason your startup has achieved what it has today is because of the capital investment from my parents." "If you won't be responsible for yourself, at least be responsible to them." This topic probably hit a nerve and triggered his sensitivity. Nolan became exceptionally agitated. "I know your parents helped me! I told you, once I make money, I will repay them double! How much impact can dismissing one accountant have on the company? You're making a mountain out of a molehill!" "Audrey, can't you just understand me for once?! I'm only thinking of my mentor, I'm doing this to repay a debt of gratitude. His wife and Hazel really have it rough..." I sneered, cutting him off. "Yesterday was our 4-year anniversary. Like an idiot, I sat in a restaurant and ate a birthday dinner by myself. My boyfriend got blackout drunk, was brought home by someone else at midnight, with someone else's lipstick smeared on his shirt..." "Today, my boyfriend insists, under the guise of repaying a debt, on hiring someone of unknown reliability as an accountant, to manage the company funded and supported by my parents..." "I think I have it pretty rough, too." 6 Nolan finally realized I was truly furious and fell silent. My parents quickly stepped in to smooth things over, explaining that Nolan was just soft-hearted and kind, and out of gratitude to his mentor, he proposed this idea. They didn't understand. It wasn't that I didn't understand Nolan's personality... It was precisely because I understood him too well that I spoke so directly and harshly. Is a "dying wish" letter really going to turn into a massive saga of "repaying a debt"? Setting aside the professor's wife for a moment—a twenty-something young woman who returned from studying abroad can't find a job, so the professor's student has to handle it all? What about later? If she can't find a partner to start a family with, is Nolan going to be responsible for that too? Nolan awkwardly hung up the phone and never mentioned the "dying wish" thing again. I originally thought this matter would end there. But when I got home from work that day and opened the door, I found a pair of unfamiliar mother and daughter sitting primly on the living room sofa, casually watching TV. I was stunned and was just about to ask. Nolan, wearing an apron and having just washed some fruit, came out of the kitchen. "Audrey, you're back?" "This is the wife of Professor Davis I mentioned to you, and her daughter, Hazel." "They were running errands nearby today, heard I lived here, and came to visit. They even brought a fruit basket and gifts..." I was annoyed, but I couldn't just throw a fit in front of outsiders. As soon as Nolan finished speaking, Hazel, who had sized me up several times, affectionately sidled up to me and hooked her arm through mine. "Hi Audrey, I'm Hazel. I also went to MIT, but I chose to go abroad for further studies..." "I've heard your name from Nolan ages ago. Finally get to meet the real person today. You're even prettier than the photos on Nolan's phone~" Her flattering words didn't improve my mood. I calmly pulled my arm away and replied politely. "I've heard about you and Mrs. Davis too. This area is the financial district, and Hazel, since you don't have a job, what business brings you two all the way out here?" My casual question froze the expressions of the two people across from me. Nolan walked over carrying a bag. "Why ask that? All roads lead to Rome. It's totally normal to just be passing by, right?" "Oh, by the way, Audrey, Hazel insisted on giving you a welcome gift. She brought you a lipstick. It's Dior. See if you like the color?" I took the exquisitely packaged box and opened it for a look. My heart jolted. I looked up and met Hazel's fake, strained smile. Good thing I have a good memory. This shade was exactly the one smeared on Nolan's shirt that night... I calmly looked at Nolan, who was enthusiastically offering fruit to the professor's wife nearby, the warmth in my eyes dropping inch by inch. Sure enough, people are forgetful when they're busy. If he wanted to score points for Hazel, he didn't need to go through such a convoluted process. Half an hour ago, I had already received a deduction text from our joint account. [Your account has been charged $45.00 at the Sephora counter.] My boyfriend spending his own money to buy gifts for someone else to win my favor... Incredible. 7 The meal was painfully awkward. Guessing that I wouldn't throw a temper tantrum in front of outsiders, Nolan felt safe to lay his cards on the table at the dinner table. "Audrey, I've thought about what you said last time, but I can't get past this hurdle in my heart. I feel I still need to consider Mrs. Davis more, out of respect for my mentor." "Actually, bringing Mrs. Davis and Hazel over this afternoon was my idea. I took them to the company and took care of Hazel's onboarding paperwork while we were at it..." I had already spotted the clues in Hazel's triumphant eyes, so I wasn't really surprised, just speechless. They say having a savior complex is undesirable. Having such a massive savior right in my own home was truly an unlucky burden. I scoffed coldly, too lazy to give him face anymore. "So what? I see Hazel is still missing a boyfriend and a warm little home. Do you want to figure out a solution for that too?" Hazel's eyes flashed, as if seizing the opportunity to show off her manipulative skills, and immediately chimed in with a strained voice. "Audrey, you really misunderstood..." "Nolan and I have known each other for a long time, so we seem a bit close. Him taking care of me and my mom is just to repay a debt of gratitude..." "If you mind it that much, my mom and I won't appear in front of Nolan anymore..." Nolan looked at Hazel with heartache, clearly feeling embarrassed. "Audrey, can you please not be so prickly when you speak! You're making Mrs. Davis and Hazel so uncomfortable!" "Everything I'm doing is to repay my mentor's kindness. I've explained it to you so many times. Do you really have to be so nasty about it?!" "I was planning to discuss it with you slowly over the next few days. But since this is your attitude, I'll just be straightforward with you today." "I am going to take care of Hazel and Mrs. Davis." I calmly looked at the man in front of me, finding him more and more unfamiliar. Yet Nolan became more animated as he spoke, trying to persuade me with so-called "morality and righteousness." "Audrey, Professor Davis was my most important mentor. He passed away from illness, and his family is left all alone. I can't just ignore them. Let's put our wedding on hold for now." I was silent for a few seconds. Hazel was still planning to chime in and put on an act, but I cut off her performance. I pulled a calculator out of my bag, set it down, and started doing the math. "Fine. You're sentimental, righteous, and know how to repay a debt. Then let's part ways amicably." "Let's calculate how much money you spent of mine while we were dating..." Facing Nolan's stiff expression, my tone was unhurried. "Settle the bill, and the wedding is canceled." 8 As soon as I spoke, the faces of all three people at the table changed. Including the old lady who had been acting like a spectator the whole time. Nolan clearly didn't want to discuss money with me too much. The aggressive momentum he had just a moment ago vanished. His tone also softened considerably. "Audrey, we've been in love for four years. What I just said didn't mean I wasn't going to marry you. It's just that given the current situation, we might postpone it for a year or two, two or three years... Why are you bringing money into this..." I sneered coldly, silently complaining in my heart. Why did I bring up money? Because I know you don't have any. Nolan came from an ordinary background. If he had stayed at his previous company, he could have climbed to a decent position based on his abilities. The problem was his ambition. His ambition was stubborn; he didn't want to work for anyone else. He wanted to be his own boss and control his own resources. Honestly, I felt there was absolutely nothing wrong with that ambition, and I gave him immense support emotionally. I used my scholarship money from all four years of college to fund his research projects. My parents, looking out for me, injected the first round of seed funding into Nolan's new company. It's fair to say that without me, he wouldn't be the "rising star in business" who managed to stand out among numerous entrepreneurs today. This was also why I had the confidence to turn the tables on Nolan. I have to admit, I truly, passionately, and deeply loved the man sitting across from me. But after four years, this relationship only gave me an ever-growing sense of exhaustion. From seeing each other every day and sending eight hundred messages a day at the very beginning, to now, where we don't even see each other once a week, calls go unanswered, and texts are ignored. Even on normal holidays, he had a thousand people and things more important than me to entertain and deal with. My best friend teased me, saying our relationship was heading towards a platonic ideal the longer we dated. Hilarious. A platonic relationship still requires a high degree of spiritual harmony. Look at the guy sitting across from me. When was he ever willing to communicate with me? Under the banner of "repaying a debt of gratitude," he brought his "White Moonlight" right in front of him to protect her, forced my hand without consulting me, and when I refused, he used moral kidnapping and blamed me instead... The current Nolan doesn't have a shred of the person I used to love. I wasn't satisfied with his request to postpone the engagement. What I wanted was to settle accounts, item by item, crystal clear. And then tell him to get the hell out of my world.
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