After My 52nd Proposal Failed, I Walked Away

I proposed fiftytwo times. Chloe rejected me fiftytwo times. We’d been together for ten years. For the first fiftyone 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, selfdeprecating 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 fiftyone 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 fiftyone times during these ten years.

I thought that making this anniversary proposal the fiftysecond time would be a romantic milestone. But Chloe rejected me again.

The reason was exactly the same as the last fiftyone 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 tenyear 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 fiftyone 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?"

I could practically recite those words from memory. She never changed a single syllable. Whenever it came to Hunter, he always took top priority.

A single Snapchat from him could drag her away from me instantly. I refused to believe Hunter didn't have other friends.

How was he able to have an emergency every single time Chloe and I were on a date? It was hilarious, really.

I sat on the living room floor, dragged out all the alcohol I had prepared for the proposal guests, and started chugging them one bottle after another.

Taking a page out of Hunter’s book, I snapped a photo of the empty bottles and posted a Snapchat story: "In the end, I'm still alone." The moment it went live, my notifications blew up. "Did the proposal fail again?" "Bro, seriously, how many times is this?

Even a stubborn ox knows when to turn back." "Don't worry about it. Let's grab some drinks when I'm off this weekend.

We got your back!" Reading those comments, a wave of sadness washed over me. Just as I was about to lock my phone, a message notification popped up from Chloe.

So, she wasn't actually asleep. And she definitely wasn't too drunk to type. I opened it, and Chloe's annoyed voice note played through the speaker: "Julian, what is your problem?

Why are you posting that kind of pathetic drama late at night? Are you trying to make me look bad?" Her voice held absolutely zero warmth or concern.

I couldn't help but remember the time Hunter posted a story about drinking alone.

She was so worried that she abandoned me in the middle of dinner and drove across town to pick him up. I played her voice note on loop, pouring more alcohol down my throat.

It felt like only the alcohol could numb my nerves and temporarily stop the bleeding in my heart. I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. Ten years.

I had finally seen Chloe’s true colors. In her heart, no matter how hard I tried, I could never compete with the boy she grew up with. That night, I didn't wait up for her.

In the past, whenever Chloe went out, I would always leave the entryway light on. I didn't want her to come home to a dark, cold house. I wanted her to feel welcomed.

Even though she never appreciated it and often stayed out all night, I stubbornly kept that habit. Looking back, I was such a fool.

I dragged myself up from the floor, stumbled into the bedroom, and collapsed onto the bed.

When I woke up the next morning, the first thing I did was check the other side of the bed. The tiny spark of hope in my eyes died instantly.

As expected, Chloe hadn't come home last night.

I let out a soft laugh. Julian, what the hell are you still hoping for? Just as I got out of bed, Chloe pushed the bedroom door open, looking completely annoyed. "Since when did you become so lazy?" she snapped. "You're sleeping in so late, and you didn't even make breakfast." Because Chloe was obsessed with maintaining her figure, she never ate anything after midnight unless she was out with Hunter.

Breakfast was extremely important to her, and she demanded a perfectly balanced meal. I had always prepared it for her myself. "I'm going to be late for work.

Just order takeout," I replied flatly. My tone was cold and distant. Chloe noticed the shift.

She walked over, wrapped her arms around my waist, and tried to soothe me. "Are you still mad about yesterday?" "Julian, I know it hurts when I say no to your proposals.

But Hunter needs me. I can't build my happiness on his misery. Can't you understand that?" "And marriage is a big deal. Both of us need to be fully ready.

If I marry you reluctantly right now, you wouldn't be happy either, right?" Seeing that I didn't respond, she squeezed me tighter. "Once Hunter finds his own happiness, we’ll get married right away.

We’ll have a huge, beautiful wedding, okay?" In the past, if Chloe spoke to me this softly, I would have forgiven her instantly. But now, her explanation just felt exhausting.

I didn't want to hear it anymore. "Yeah. Whatever."

I gently pushed her arms off me and left the apartment without looking at her.

The moment I walked into the design studio, my junior designer, Leo, rushed over to my desk with a massive grin. "Julian!

Did you see the announcement on our WhatsApp group?" I shook my head. "Our company just signed a massive partnership with NW, the luxury brand in Europe!

They're selecting a few designers to go to their headquarters for a threeyear advanced training program. That’s NW, Julian!

A onceinalifetime opportunity!" This program only opened up once every three years. Although our previous partners weren't as legendary as NW, they were still highly prestigious.

In the past, Marcus, our creative director, had urged me to apply multiple times. But I had always turned him down. The program required living in Europe for three years.

I couldn't bear to leave Chloe, and I knew she would never survive a longdistance relationship. For her, I had thrown my career away.

Looking back, I had spent my entire twenties obsessing over only two things: loving Chloe, and my design work. Now, at thirty years old, I had failed at both. It was pathetic.

In my relationship, I was the only one putting in any effort. I had chased her for ten years and been rejected fiftytwo times, all because she wanted to wait for Hunter.

My career had been stagnant for just as long. Without going abroad for training, I could never move up to a senior global partner role.

I realized it was time to start living for myself. I walked straight into Marcus's office.

When I told him I wanted to apply for the NW training program, a look of genuine shock flashed across his face. "Are you serious, Julian?" I nodded firmly. "Yes." "Did you talk it over with your girlfriend?" I was quiet for a moment before replying, "I've made up my mind.

I'm thirty now. It's time to focus on my career." Marcus smiled warmly. "I've been waiting to hear you say that for years.

I recommended you every single time, and you always turned me down. Since this is a partnership with NW, I expect nothing but masterpieces from you." "Thank you, Marcus.

I won't let you down." After finalizing the details, I went back to my desk and threw myself into preparing my portfolio. For the entire day, Chloe didn't cross my mind once.

I didn't even check to see if she had sent me any Snaps. And I realized I didn't want to care anymore.

Just as I was about to log off for the day, a message from Chloe popped up on Snapchat. She wrote: Let's have dinner tonight. I stared at the screen for a few seconds.

This was actually the first time Chloe had ever actively planned a date with me, and the first time she was making an effort. I agreed.

I figured tonight would be the perfect time to tell her about my move to Europe. When I walked out of the office building, her Land Rover was parked by the curb.

I walked over, bypassed the passenger seat, and slid directly into the back. Through the rearview mirror, I saw Chloe’s eyebrows knit together. "Why are you sitting in the back?

Are you treating me like your Uber driver now?" I didn't say a word. My eyes were fixed on the passenger seat console, where a expensive men's watch was lying.

Chloe seemed to have forgotten that in the past, whenever Hunter joined us, I was always the one forced to sit in the back.

Eventually, I started avoiding any outings that involved Hunter just to save myself the embarrassment.

I never expected that he would leave something as personal as his watch in her car. And he definitely did it on purpose.

I turned my head to look out the window, feeling completely numb. It didn't matter anymore. In my heart, Chloe and I were already over.

Noticing my gaze, Chloe glanced at the watch on the console and quickly explained, "Hunter had a few too many drinks last night.

He must have dropped his watch when I drove him home." "Oh," I replied softly. "It's fine. He's always been forgetful.

I get it." She glanced back at me through the mirror, clearly taken aback by how easily I had let it slide.

She started the car, and for the entire drive, she kept trying to make small talk. I only gave her short, polite answers.

She must have picked up on my coldness because she eventually fell silent. Soon, she pulled up in front of a highend Italian restaurant.

Chloe got out and handed the keys to the valet. "The food here is amazing. I've been meaning to bring you here for a while." "You and Hunter have pretty similar tastes.

If he likes it, I know you will too." She looked at me, searching for a reaction.

When I remained silent, she sighed softly and grabbed my hand. "Look, I know you're upset about the proposal. That's why I brought you here tonight—to apologize.

Please don't be mad anymore, okay?" Chloe led me inside.

The waiter greeted her warmly, and without even looking at the menu, she simply said, "We’ll have our usual." The waiter nodded politely and walked away.

Clearly, Chloe was a regular here. But it was my very first time.

Once the waiter left, Chloe pulled a small, elegant jewelry box from her designer bag. "I spent a really long time picking this out for you. I know you'll love it." I opened it.

Inside was a pair of beautifully crafted silver cufflinks. The design was incredibly unique. As a designer, I had to admit Chloe knew exactly how to appeal to my taste.

But I didn't care anymore. I gave her a polite smile. "Thank you." I closed the box and set it aside, preparing to tell her about my departure to Europe.

Right on cue, her phone rang. It was Hunter.

Chloe glanced at the caller ID and answered it immediately. "Chloe, where are you?" Hunter's voice drifted through the speaker, laced with pain. "I think I sprained my ankle.

Can you please come drive me to the hospital?" A mocking smile crept onto my face. Ten years of the exact same script.

Didn't he ever get tired of acting? "I'll be right there, Hunter. Don't move, just wait for me." Chloe hung up quickly and looked at me apologetically. "Hunter has an emergency.

I have to go check on him.

You go ahead and eat, I already paid for the bill." Before I could even respond, she grabbed her purse and ran out of the restaurant, leaving me sitting there alone.

But honestly, I was used to it. Whenever Hunter was an option, Chloe never had to hesitate. Because from day one, Hunter was always her number one choice.

I picked up the box of cufflinks, tracing the cold metal. This dinner was supposed to be her apology to me, but I didn't feel a single drop of sincerity.

The food was served shortly after. I took a bite. Chloe was right about one thing—Hunter and I did share a similar palate.

I snapped a picture of the beautifully plated dish and posted it on my Snapchat story with the caption: "Actually tastes pretty good." Even without Chloe, I could still enjoy my life.

The moment I stopped letting her dictate my emotions, I realized how light and free I felt. A minute after my post went live, Hunter posted a photo on his own story.

The background was clearly a hospital room. He was leaning back against the pillows, with Chloe’s hand resting gently on his shoulder.

His caption read: "So lucky to have you by my side through everything." I knew exactly what Hunter was trying to do. He wanted to make me jealous.

He wanted me to blow up, pick a fight with Chloe, and make her resent me. Then, he could play the innocent, victimized best friend.

But this time, his little game wasn't going to work. I wasn't going to waste my energy being their relationship entertainment anymore.

Surprisingly, Chloe commented on my Snapchat story. "I'll come back to the restaurant to join you soon. Wait for me." I read her comment and closed the app.

She was at the hospital with Hunter; there was no way she was coming back. After finishing my meal, I walked out of the restaurant. But the weather seemed determined to mock me.

The moment I stepped onto the sidewalk, the sky opened up into a torrential downpour. Cabs and Ubers kept pulling up, but I waved them away.

I hadn't walked in the rain like this in years. It actually felt incredibly liberating. The only downside was that my body wasn't as resilient as I thought.

Walking home in the freezing rain gave me a brutal fever by the next morning. My phone rang. It was Chloe, and she sounded extremely annoyed. "Where were you all day yesterday?

Did you seriously not come home last night?" "Do you have any idea how annoying it is to wake up and not have breakfast ready?" "Can't you just order DoorDash?" I asked, my voice hoarse from the fever.

I couldn't believe she still expected me to be her oncall maid. "Hunter is sick and hospitalized," she snapped. "Restaurant food is so unhealthy.

Get back here right now and make some homemade soup so I can bring it to him." If I recalled correctly, Hunter only had a sprained ankle.

Since when did a sprained ankle require a homecooked diet? I didn't have the energy to argue with her. "I'm busy.

Bye." I hung up, dragged myself to an urgent care clinic, and got some prescription meds. Afterward, I went straight to the studio.

The moment I sat down, Marcus called a few of us into his office. "The three of you will be representing our studio at NW in Europe. The flights are booked for next Wednesday.

Take the next few days to pack your things and say your goodbyes to your families." "Also, don't make any plans for tonight.

The company is hosting a farewell dinner for you guys." Looking at the approval form in my hand, I felt a rush of genuine excitement.

Marcus smiled at me. "Julian, you better not skip out on the drinks tonight." Ever since I started dating Chloe, I had skipped every single company happy hour just to run home to her.

I smiled back at him. "Don't worry, Marcus. I'll be there." That night was incredible. We went out for drinks and ended up at a karaoke bar.

By the time I unlocked the front door of my apartment, it was already 2:00 AM. The moment I stepped inside, I saw Chloe sitting on the sofa.

For ten years, this was the very first time she had ever left a light on for me. "Where the hell have you been?" she demanded, her voice shaking.

I kicked off my shoes at the entryway, ignoring her. Her eyes welled up with tears. "Are you punishing me because I left you at the restaurant to help Hunter?" "He was hurt, Julian!

I couldn't just leave him there. You know he's like family to me.

Is it really so wrong for me to take care of him when he's sick?" "You don't need to explain anything to me," I interrupted, my voice perfectly calm. "I'm not mad.

I was just at a company farewell dinner, so I got back late." Hearing my calm response, her expression softened slightly.

She wiped her tears. "Why didn't you text me beforehand to let me know you were going out?" "Why should I have to report my whereabouts to you, Chloe?

Have you ever once reported yours to me?"