I Left the Man Who Mocked Me

My boyfriend Ethan always thought he was funny, constantly humiliating me under the guise of jokes.

On my birthday, he invited his friends over to celebrate.

After a few rounds of drinks, he projected photos of me in my pajamas on the private room's big screen, commenting on my physical flaws one by one.

"Megan, I'm not saying this to be mean, but only someone as tolerant as me could be with you. Look at yourselfwhat guy would actually like you?"

The whole room fell silent, everyone staring at me with strange looks.

One of his friends, Liam, couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up for me.

"Ethan, that's too far. How could you share her private photos!"

Ethan sneered.

"What? You like her? Don't you know about that incident? Didn't realize you were into damaged goods, bro."

His friends burst into laughter.

Intense shame and anger drained all the color from my face.

Ethan seemed to notice and turned to pat my head with a smile.

"Aw, babe, don't be mad. I'm just livening up the atmosphere. You'll always be my favorite girl."

"Didn't you write in your diary that you'd depend on me forever?"

I swallowed the metallic taste in my throat and looked at Ethan again.

Keep running that mouth. I'm done with you.

I couldn't take it anymore and stood up.

My eyes reddened the moment I lifted my head.

"Enough!"

Whispers started around the room.

"Megan's usually so devoted to Ethan, what's gotten into her today?"

"Ethan did go too far this time. That was really disrespectful. Even the most patient person has limits."

Ethan frowned at me, his tongue pressing against his cheek.

Like he couldn't find an outlet for his frustration.

"What, all grown up now? Don't need your big brother anymore?!"

I laughed bitterly, finding it absurd.

Ethan took several deep breaths.

His next words stabbed straight into my heart.

"Come on, it's just a few photos. What's the big deal?"

"When that thing happened to you back then, you weren't this worked up."

"I'm probably the only one who'd put up with your princess attitude."

He glanced at me.

Snickers erupted around us.

Followed by mocking laughter.

I raised my head, looking at the young man whose lips curved in a half-smile, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Ethan and I grew up together.

My parents were rarely around, leaving me to live with my grandmother who had a bad leg.

In kindergarten, he'd hold my hand walking to and from school, patting his chest with promises.

"I'm here, don't be scared!"

In middle school, when some thugs surrounded me and tried to strip my clothes off, Ethan grabbed a brick and charged at them like his life didn't matter, fighting them until his head was bleeding.

After driving them away, he cried and blamed himself while holding me in my torn clothes, saying he was useless and hadn't protected me.

But when did things change?

I tried to remember.

It was probably freshman year, when I was voted campus beauty and received countless love letters and gifts.

That day Ethan flew into a rage and made his first "joke" about me.

"When you guys send her love letters, do you know she was molested by several guys back in middle school?"

At his words, the boys who'd brought me gifts all showed disgust, cursed, and took their gifts back.

But Ethan just laughed it off: "See? They were just joking around."

After that, no other guys came near me.

And he never said another kind word, growing more and more fond of making jokes at my expense.

I suppressed the grief threatening to overflow and faced Ethan's mocking, making my decision.

"I won't depend on you anymore. I'm not taking the job at your company either. Let's break up."

My voice was flat, without a ripple of sadness.

Ethan's hand suddenly clenched, his face darkening.

He came around to face me, his smile flattening.

"Say that again."

"What are you throwing a tantrum about now? You fought tooth and nail to join my company just to break up with me?"

"Don't think you can mess with me just because I spoil you!"

With that, he stormed off angrily.

Seeing him leave, the others trickled out as well.

Only Liam and I remained.

He pursed his lips to comfort me. "Megan, don't be sad. You're not what he says. You're wonderful."

Only then did I look at him with moist eyes, murmuring.

"I'm not sad anymore."

After leaving the private room, I called my dad.

"Are you sure about this? If you go abroad, you won't be able to come back for years."

"Yes, I'm sure. But please don't tell anyone about this, including Uncle Ethan's family."

"Don't worry. There's a flight to London in two days. Get ready."

After hanging up, I looked at my chat history with Ethan.

Swipe left. Delete.

Walking out of the restaurant lobby, I discovered it was pouring rain.

Of course I hadn't brought an umbrella, and my phone was dead.

Just then, Ethan's car pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing his face and Chloe's.

He lit a cigarette, and through the smoke, a flash of panic seemed to cross his face, but then his expression turned contemptuous.

"Just happened to run into Chloe. Giving her a ride since it's on the way."

Chloe smiled sweetly. "Megan, you really don't know how to take care of yourself. Always making Ethan worry."

Ethan let out a scornful laugh.

"If she were half as sensible as you, I wouldn't have to worry so much."

"When she was little, she fell into a cesspit. You should've seen itcovered head to toe, looked like a chocolate person. Only I could stand it. Anyone else would've run."

He finished speaking and laughed along with Chloe.

I'd heard similar words countless times, yet they still grated on me.

I looked at him, then turned and rushed into the rain.

The rain pounded against me, painful and cold.

But I felt it was warmer than being by his side by several degrees.

Behind me came the sound of a car door slamming hard, and Ethan's furious shout.

"Megan! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Can't even take a joke?"

The security guard was kind and helped me hail a taxi.

In the rearview mirror, I saw Ethan pull out his phone to call someone.

It seemed no one answered, making his brow furrow tightly.

Back home, Grandma was startled and quickly helped me shower and change, then made hot ginger tea.

While combing my hair, Grandma frowned.

"How did you get so soaked?"

She asked instinctively, "Where's Ethan? Wasn't he with you?"

I lowered my eyes, feeling heavy inside.

"No. And there won't be anymore 'with him' in the future."

After a long while, Grandma changed the subject.

"By the way, your dad called me. He said you agreed to go abroad."

"Tomorrow Grandma will pack up. Having to leave so suddenly, I'll really miss these old friends."

I charged my phone and saw Ethan's missed calls. My finger swiped to delete them.

I looked back at Grandma.

"A change of scenery will be good, Grandma. Before we leave, let's not tell anyone, okay? Including Ethan's family."

Grandma's form stiffened slightly, then she said slowly, "Grandma can tell that boy Ethan has liked you since childhood. Just don't do anything you'll regret."

Not long after Grandma went to her room, my phone buzzed with a message from Ethan.

"Come out. I'm in the courtyard."

I was about to pretend I hadn't seen it when a second message came.

"If you don't come out, I'll just come in and open your door myself."

I had no choice but to go out.

I also packed all the things Ethan had given me over the past ten years into a trash bag.

Including his blood-stained school uniform from middle school, when he'd gotten his head split open protecting me from those thugs.

Seeing my hair still wet, Ethan frowned and draped his jacket over my head.

"Megan, why did you come out with wet hair? Do you really enjoy causing people trouble?"

"And now you've really got guts, can't even take a joke anymore?"

I blinked hard, something blocking my throat so I couldn't speak.

He lowered his head slightly and noticed the bloodstained clothes visible in the trash bag.

"Escalating your guilt trip? You're even willing to throw away this shirt?" He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Come on, stop this."

"Why can't I throw it away?" I walked past him and tossed the bag without hesitation into the garbage truck at the gate, dusting off my hands. "It's too dirty. Should've thrown it away long ago."

He didn't believe me at all, just mocked me with a half-smile.

"Come on, who are you trying to fool?"

"You can't leave me. Stop lying to yourself."

"By the way, I went too far with the jokes today. I'll make it up to you tomorrow with another celebrationconsider it an early congratulations on joining the company. Remember to come."

With that, he turned and left.

He didn't know that I meant every word I said.

The next evening, I still went to the gathering.

As soon as I pushed open the door, I collided with a male server.

I fell hard to the ground, and the drinks he was carrying spilled all over me.

The server hurriedly apologized, trying to brush the liquid off my clothes.

"I'm... I'm sorry."

Someone said something.

"Coming to a party and ending up this pathetictrying to make Ethan clean up your mess again?!"

"I think she just can't behave! Why does she always throw herself at men?!"

The private room erupted with waves of laughter.

"God, look at her slutty behavior. How could she possibly be good enough for our Ethan?"

"I told you, why else would those thugs target her specifically back then? Why didn't they strip anyone else's clothes?"

"I think our Chloe, beautiful and kind-hearted, is the one who deserves Ethan!"

Chloe blushed and joked back.

"Don't say that. Someone as outstanding as Ethan is way out of my league."

In that moment, I kept my head down as intense humiliation threatened to drown me.

My nose stung with unbearable sourness, but I fought desperately to keep my tears from falling.

Soon, the server was pulled away.

It was Ethan's handsome face.

He didn't help me up, but instead looked at me with leisure, laughing lightly.

"Megan, you're my entertainment. You always manage to come up with new tricks to amuse me."

The room roared with laughter.

Only then did he bend down and yank me into the bathroom, casually closing the door behind us.

But his face still wore that smile as he tapped my soaked collar with his finger, his tone flippant.

"But seriously, why do you always throw yourself at men? Have I not satisfied you somehow? You're really embarrassing me."

My fists clenched white as I listened to his words.

My heart felt like it was being carved with knives.

I raised my head, my reddened eyes confronting his.

"Can you stop being so vicious! Are jokes really that fun for you?"

His brow furrowed, and he was about to speak when Liam draped his jacket over me.

Just in time to cover my disheveled state.

"Thank you."

My voice was hoarse, but it instantly ignited Ethan's anger.

"Oh, the hero comes to the rescue?"

"Bro, nice taste. But let me give you some advicea troublemaker like her is more than you can handle."

"And stop flattering yourself. She only depends on me."

My breathing quickened, and my trembling gaze met his.

He glanced at me, then looked away without hesitation and walked out to sit back down next to Chloe.

Liam's expression soured as he sat with me in the farthest corner.

And Ethan's eyes never landed on me from start to finish.

Before long, Chloe picked up her wine glass and stood, walking out from in front of me.

But as she passed by, she suddenly fell hard to the ground, wine spilling all over her.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Megan! Why would you play such a cruel joke? You got soaked, so you had to make me get soaked too?!"

Ethan was drawn over and helped Chloe up.

"See? I told you she's a troublemaker."

He looked at me, his eyes full of knowing "understanding," shaking his head with a smile.

"Megan, even jealousy has its limits. I know you're unhappy seeing me talk to Chloe, but you can't play dirty like this."

"That's taking the joke too far."

I snapped out of my shock, meeting his suspicious gaze as my breathing stopped. I spoke hoarsely.

"I didn't do anything."

Liam spoke up. "I was right there. I saw clearlyMegan didn't move. It was Chloe who..."

"What does it have to do with you?!"

Ethan suddenly erupted.

His eyes swept darkly between Liam and me, then settled on me.

"Megan, I wondered why you dared to throw a tantrum at me today. Turns out you found yourself a new protector?"

"Changed your taste? You like the silent type now?"

"Megan, when will you stop seducing men?"

I closed my eyes, my nose stinging as tears fell on the back of my hand.

"Why won't you believe me?"

Seeing this, Ethan's tone softened.

"Look, now you're really crying."

"Come on, don't cry. I know you didn't mean it. Just joking with you."

My mind suddenly went blank, a ringing in my ears.

With just that one sentence, I suddenly lost the strength to defend myself, murmuring softly.

"No need. I did mean it."

After hearing that, Ethan didn't get angry. Instead, he laughed.

"What, is my baby really mad?"

He patted my head lightly, his tone like he was coaxing an unreasonable child.

"Look, you scared Chloe to tears. Even teasing has limits. Go apologize quickly, or who'll want to hang out with you in the future?"

So in his eyes, I was joking too.

"What if I don't?"

"Won't apologize?" Ethan raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. "Fine. Then forget about joining my company. I don't want to deal with your messes every day."

Another wave of suppressed laughter rippled through the room.

I looked at his confident gaze, as if certain that to stay by his side, I'd swallow any humiliation.

But I felt exhausted like never before.

"This is the third time I'm saying thisI'm not joining your company." I enunciated each word. "And between us, it's over."

The smile on Ethan's face froze abruptly. He seemed to be searching my face for the truth of my words.

"Keep pretending. Go ahead."

He sneered. "Fine. Without me, let's see who'd want a troublemaker like you."

I quietly agreed. "Okay. Think whatever you want."

I'd said it three times. I wouldn't say it again.

With that, I turned and left without a shred of reluctance.

The next day, despite my reluctance, I ran into Ethanhis face looking unwellat the community dinner table.

My parents and Grandma had kept their promise not to tell anyone in the community about me going abroad.

At the table, Uncle Ethan smiled and looked over.

He and Aunt Ethan exchanged glances and joked, "Once Megan's settled in her job, you two should have your wedding, right?"

I didn't speak.

But Ethan burst out laughing, drawing everyone's attention.

"Marriage? You're joking! I don't have the guts to marry her."

Grandma's face immediately darkened.

Uncle Ethan also frowned in disapproval. "What nonsense! Watch your mouth!"

Ethan quickly waved his hands, looking innocent. "Dad, don't get worked up. I'm just joking, trying to lighten the mood."

He turned to me, laughing even harder.

"Besides, if I really married Megan, wouldn't that crush every man's dreams?"

He lowered his voice, speaking mysteriously to everyone at the table:

"You guys don't know this, but our Megan is our community's running joke! Remember back in middle school when those thugs fought over her and tried to strip her clothes off in the street, saying they wanted to see what the campus beauty really looked like..."

"If you want me to marry her, that's..."

He didn't finish.

Grandma suddenly stood up, pulling me with her, her tone icy.

"I think we should drop this marriage talk! Childhood jokes don't count!"

Ethan's face stiffened, the smile still on his lips.

He seemed somewhat flustered, but in the end said nothing and didn't follow.

Back home, Grandma comforted me, but I felt indifferent. "I used to care. Now I don't anymore."

Grandma and I finished packing the last of our luggage, and early the next morning, we boarded the plane.

Three days later was employee orientation.

As soon as Ethan appeared, he attracted everyone's attention.

But he had no time for those trying to chat him up.

Looking at his phone that wouldn't connect, Ethan felt panicked and called me countless times.

Ethan was confused.

He rushed to the design department to check the new employee roster.

"Impossible!" His breathing was ragged, his fingers trembling. "I clearly saw it!"

The design department manager spoke up. "Who are you looking for?"

Ethan said urgently, "Megan! Why isn't her name on the roster?"

The manager found the name familiar and thought for a moment. "Oh, right. There was someone named Megan."

Ethan breathed a huge sigh of relief, about to ask more when he heard the manager add:

"But she's not reporting for duty. Said she got an offer abroad and already left the country."