I Won’t Wait in the Next Life

The lofty Miss Avery Parker of Crown City dumped me, a mere bar host, at my birthday. My sister shut down his bar and planned to send him to a remote mine. Avery stayed quiet. Three days later, my brakes failed, and I crashed into a shantytown. Unconscious, I was dragged into an alley. I woke up bruised, with compromising photos on my phone. Avery used them to break off our engagement. The next day, the bartender, Brandon White, moved into her home.

My childhood fiance, Miss Celeste McDougall, said she'd marry me despite the scandal. At our civil registration, I overheard groomsmen outside: Avery set me up to be with Brandon, and Celeste only married me to stop my family from investigating him.

Both their hearts belonged to that one man. I looked at myself in the groom's suit, disgusted. Tearing off my jacket and tie, I drove to the International Medical Aid Center. Filling the forms with trembling hands, I wrote clearly: "I'm applying for Latin America. I'll sign the waivermy life, my responsibility."

...

The director flipped through my resume, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly. Dr. Hart, theres an ongoing conflict and a dengue fever outbreak in Latin America right now. Two of the three doctors we sent have already been infected, and the armed factions there don't follow rules. You might genuinely not come back.

I closed my eyes, my heart aching as if squeezed, but my voice was calm when I spoke. I know. I'll take Sister Wang's place; shes pregnant and it's inconvenient for her. It's convenient for me.

The director looked at my expensive shirt and trousers, sighing. Isn't today your wedding day? Why are you here?

Tears splattered on the ground. I quickly wiped my face with the back of my hand, saying nothing.

She didn't ask further, directly approving my application.

A top surgeon willing to go to such a place, they couldn't ask for more.

The special flight leaves at seven tomorrow morning.

If you make it back alive, the organization will apply for the highest honor for you, and your sister's hospital will also receive international aid funding.

I bowed, then turned and walked out.

The white Porsche I'd left at the entrance was gone. Just as I was about to call a taxi, Avery pulled up in that very car, stopping in front of me.

She rolled down the window, a slender lady's cigarette between her fingers, her gaze as indifferent as if she were looking at a stranger:

Allo likes this car. I was just having someone pick it up, and I happened to run into you, so I just drove it away.

I looked at the steering wheel, my throat tight.

She had bought this car abroad three years ago, spending forty million, claiming it was my birthday gift. There were only twenty of them worldwide, and the license plate was even my birthday.

Back then, she had taught me to drive it herself, saying the car suited me, Allen Hart. Now, for Brandon, she wanted back even things she had given away.

I smiled faintly, ignored her, and turned to leave.

Behind me, the engine roared, her voice a little impatient.

It's your big day today, why are you here?

Get in. I'll drive you back to the registry office. Don't waste time, or Celeste will dump you and you won't even have time to cry.

I didn't look back. I'm not getting married.

Avery scoffed, the scent of tobacco wafting on the wind:

Allen Hart, don't I know your little schemes? You just can't let go of me, you're unwilling to be with Celeste.

Coming here, isn't it just to get my attention?

But after what happened to you in the shantytown, my Parker family can't have you anymore.

I've already had those people who touched you dealt with. Consider it my closing statement.

Now, Celeste is willing to have you. You should be counting your blessings. Don't be ungrateful.

I turned to look at her. Her face was still the same beautiful face that was hard to look away from, but what was inside had long since rotted.

Counting my blessings? It was just another calculation.

Brandon, selling drinks and charming customers in a bar, how much cleaner could he be than me?

I opened my mouth, but only one word escaped: Scram.

Her face instantly darkened. She pushed open the car door, grabbed my wrist, and shoved me towards the car.

Allen Hart, we're long over. Don't cling to me like a lunatic.

Celeste is my childhood friend. You should be celebrating that she's willing to have you. Don't mess up this chance.

She sped all the way to the Hart family gates, pushed me out of the car, and then stomped on the accelerator, leaving.

My sister was already pacing at the door, her face dark when she saw me.

Where have you been? The McDougall family is waiting for you to sign, and you're not answering your phone. Do you want to kill me with worry?

I took a deep breath and told her about going to Latin America.

My sister swayed, almost losing her balance.

No! Are you crazy? That's a suicide mission! I forbid it!

I forced myself to calm down and repeated verbatim what I had overheard outside the dressing room.

My sister's face flushed crimson as she listened. She grabbed her car keys, ready to confront Avery Parker and Celeste McDougall.

I clung to her arm tightly:

Sis, please let me go. If I really marry Celeste, every day after that will be torture.

Going to Latin America isn't just to escape; it's also to earn some reputation for our family.

Besides, leaving here is the only relief for me.

My sister looked at me, the keys in her hand falling to the ground. She didn't speak for a long time.

She loved me, but the Hart family had such a large estate, and there were still those relatives from the side branches watching.

If I could use this method to bring some benefit to the family, no matter how much her heart ached, she would have to consider it.

The motorcade for the wedding arrived at the gate. I hadn't done my hair, hadn't changed clothes, and walked straight out.

Celeste stood by the car, wearing her usual smile.

I looked at her face, my heart feeling like something was lodged in it.

She didn't love me, she was shielding another man, yet how could she act so convincingly?

I said indifferently, Im not getting married. You should go back.

Celeste's face changed. She stepped forward, grabbed my hand, and lowered her voice:

Allen, what's with the drama? Right now, I'm the only one in the entire city who doesn't look down on you. If you break off this engagement with me, do you want people to talk behind your back for the rest of your life?

I know you're still thinking about Avery, but if you truly love someone, shouldn't you support their happiness?

My nose stung. I tilted my head back, forcing the tears away, and looked at her, smiling:

So you also like Brandon. To make them happy, you're sacrificing yourself to take me?

To keep me from bothering Brandon, you're marrying me to keep me under your thumb, right?

Her eyes flickered, but she stood her ground, her eyes even reddening. Allen, how could you think that of me? We grew up together, don't you know what kind of person I am?

Onlookers began to murmur.

Ms. McDougall is being kind to him, and he's slandering her. What kind of man is this?

Exactly. Ms. McDougall, since he doesn't appreciate it, just break off the engagement! Who would want a man who's been defiled, besides you!

My sister stood beside me, her face dark with anger, about to speak up about what happened that night.

I quickly pressed her hand, shook my head at her, and whispered in her ear, Sis, we can't say anything. The Parker and McDougall families are allied; we can't fight them.

Avery just secured those big projects; she's riding high. Even if she hired people to harm me, even if she ruined my reputation for Brandon, if she wants to whitewash it, she can make black sound white.

Right now, no one will believe us. They'll just think we're slandering them for sympathy.

My sister's chest heaved with anger. Finally, she swung her arm and went inside, leaving me alone.

Celeste took my hand again, her face full of tenderness. Allen, you're not in a good mood today. I can wait. This engagement is forever valid, as long as you promise me not to go after Avery and Brandon again.

I shook off her hand, my eyes turning cold.

I won't be with you, and I won't go after Avery again. Never in this life, because I'm about to

Before I could finish, Brandon, driving the white Porsche Avery had just taken from me, roared his engine and stopped by the road.

He was wearing a custom casual suit from a famous brand. When he got out, his body was as soft as if he had no bones. He looked at Celeste with a hint of something different in his eyes.

Celeste's eyes brightened, then quickly dimmed.

Brandon walked up to me, his eyes reddening, and he started to cry, looking incredibly pitiful:

Hart, why did you go to see Avery again today? You're about to get married, why are you still clinging to her?

The murmurs from the crowd grew harsher.

Just now he said he wouldn't bother Ms. Parker, but then her official boyfriend shows up. Where's his face?

Ms. McDougall's sincerity was wasted on a dog. This kind of man should get out of Crown City.

Celeste, hearing I had gone to see Avery today, her eyes immediately turned cold.

She instinctively stepped in front of Brandon, her tone full of reproach: Allen, I know you look down on Brandon, thinking he's from a bar, not clean, and not good enough for Avery.

But he only served drinks in the bar; he never did anything like that. He's still innocent.

On the contrary, after that night, you're much dirtier than him.

I took a deep breath. The hot June wind felt like knives on my face.

Yes, Avery, to whitewash Brandon and make him suitable for the Parker family's prestige, had immediately bought off several media outlets to change their stories, and even had him adopted by a retired female professor as a godmother, giving him a layer of gold.

Overnight, I became the scorned outcast of Crown City, while he became the inspirational, pure idol, Ms. Parker's darling.

Brandon suddenly pointed at the diamond-studded watch on my wrist, his voice sharp:

How did you steal my things? This is Avery's love token for me! How is it on your hand?!

My body stiffened, my eyes reddened as I looked at Celeste: This watch, didn't you give it to me last night?

Celeste's eyes darted away, unwilling to meet mine, but her tone was firm: When did I ever give you a watch? You're light-fingered yourself, don't drag me into this.

My ears were filled with accusations of being a thief, words hitting me like stones.

I endured the tearing pain in my chest, my hands trembling as I unclasped the watch and violently threw it to the ground. The watch face shattered, pieces scattering onto Brandon's feet.

I questioned, I've never been to the Parker family home. How could I have stolen this watch?

Brandon clutched his ankle, a flicker of triumph in his eyes, as he wailed to the onlookers: The Parker family's servants all saw him come by today! If you don't believe me, ask them!

Suddenly, a clear, cold female voice came from outside the crowd: Allo, it's just a watch. If he wants it, let him have it. I'll buy you a better one. Allen and I have known each other since childhood, let's not make a scene on his big day.

Avery parted the crowd and walked over, pushing Celeste aside, and embraced Brandon, her eyes full of possessiveness: Thank you, Celeste, for looking after Allo for me. You two continue; Allo and I are leaving first.

I called out to her.

Avery, you know very well I wasnt at your house today. Why aren't you explaining for me?

She stopped, turned back, her eyes utterly cold. She leaned close to my ear, speaking in a voice only we two could hear: I just want you to completely give up. No matter how pitiful you pretend to be, I won't look at you again. If you keep clinging to me, it'll only disgust me.

My eyes ached terribly, but it felt like my tears had dried up.

I remembered when I was a child, no matter who wronged me, Avery would be the first to rush to my defense.

She had said I was her little prince, and no one could bully me.

And now, to force me away, she indulged the man she loved in publicly slandering me.

She didnt know, even if I wanted to cling to her, I wouldn't have the chance.

After tomorrow, Allen Hart would no longer exist in Crown City.