My parents watched me nervously as if afraid to hear my stupid words.

I gestured for them to sit on the couch and smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, I'm not that stupid."

Quickly calculating, I picked up my phone to reply to Ben's message.

"You want me to drive five hundred kilometers to cook a Christmas dinner for your family?"

His response came back fast as if he anticipated my question.

He replied naturally, "Because you're a fantastic cook! It's a great chance to impress my parents.

"We're not married yet, so if you cook for my family, it'll help smooth things over for our marriage."

I replied, "Are you mistaken? How does cooking relate to our marriage?

"Didn't you say your parents already liked me? Why do I need to cook to marry you?"

Just then, Ben sent a video call request.

Frustrated, I hung up immediately.

He called again and again, and I refused to answer.

He explained that he wanted to improve my standing in his family's eyes.

I thought, "Your family's feelings are important. What about my family's opinion?

Don't you know what my parents will think of you doing this?

Have you considered my feelings at all?"

The more I thought about it, the more I felt frustrated.

"How many of your relatives are going?" I asked him patiently, thinking that he would not be so inconsiderate of my feelings.

He replied, "Just my aunt's family."

I rolled my eyes. They asked me to cook for three families of no less than ten people.

"Have you counted how many people that is?"

"Just thirteen." His voice sounded dismissive.

"Oh, just thirteen." I emphasized the "just."

"Alaia. My aunt and her family have always been concerned about my marriage. After knowing that I asked you to come over, they are eager to meet you. I'm doing this for us. You should understand me and won't refuse, right?"

I felt aggrieved because he always used the same excuse every time we had a disagreement.

If it were in the past, I might have tried to empathize, but this time was different.

His arbitrary decisions and disregard made me reevaluate our relationship.

I remembered my birthday in college when Ben asked me what gift I wanted a week in advance.

I knew his family wasn't wealthy, so I casually mentioned a small handmade bag that cost two hundred dollars.

He agreed.

I thought he would remember it, so I was a little looking forward to it on my birthday.

However, he showed up empty-handed on my birthday and accused me of not giving him the link.

Finally, we celebrated my birthday with a cake I bought and the food I cooked.

His only gift was an insincere "Happy Birthday" before bed.

Coincidentally, his birthday was two months later.

He sent me a message, "My birthday is next week. I want a birthday present. Can you buy it for me with your scholarship?"

I casually asked what the present was.

He said his roommate got three thousand dollars in shoes from his girlfriend, and he also wanted one.

I said I didn't have that much money. We were still students and didn't have to buy such good shoes.

He asked me to buy him shoes with my scholarship.

He said I was looking down on him if I wouldn't buy them.

I even forgot how I convinced myself to buy it for him.

In the next month, I spent less on expenses and saved the scholarship.

When he found out, he just hugged me and felt sorry.

When we went out, he prioritized his meal without asking what I wanted.

I always thought we could solve issues by talking.

But when I brought these up, he promised to change but never did.

Then he would brush it off, saying I was petty and needed to be considerate of him.

I tried not to overthink it.

I once believed he loved me. He just wasn't attentive enough.

Now, I realized he didn't love me at all.

I organized my thoughts, and suddenly, everything became clearer.

Without hesitation, I called him. And he answered quickly.

I asked, "Ben, do you know how far apart our two families are?"

Before he could say anything, I continued, "Do you know I've never been on the highway?"

My voice quivered as I fought back tears.

Ben softened his tone, trying to soothe me. "Alaia, I know you're scared. You can drive slowly. There's no rush. It's okay if you arrive tomorrow."

I could hardly believe my ears. Was it just about "driving slowly"?

"I'm not going," I said coldly.

He said, "Alaia, don't be like this. I've spoken to my relatives. If you don't come, it will be humiliating for us."

I sneered inwardly, "So, I was ignorant for not going? You're trying to scare me with your whole family.

A boyfriend who disregards my feelings isn't worth keeping."

The call was on speaker, and my parents were listening. They couldn't help but speak out after hearing his words.

I made a gesture for silence, allowing a slight smile as I replied gently, "Okay, I won't make a fuss anymore. Ask your mother to buy more vegetables tomorrow."

Just as I was about to hang up, Ben called out, "Alaia."

His voice was urgent.

"What else?" I asked.

"Well, don't forget to buy a gold bracelet for my mother when you come back," he said hesitantly, clearly worried I'd be upset.

His hesitation told me the bracelet was his mother's wish, not necessarily his.

They were the same kind of person with their family.

I sneered in my heart, and all my expectations for him were gone.

I responded lightly, "Okay, don't worry, I promise to satisfy your aunt and her family tomorrow."

Ben sounded relieved, and before hanging up, he excitedly called out, "Mom! She agreed."

After the call, my parents wore worried expressions.

I took my cell phone to book a ticket.

They were about to persuade me.

But before they could start, they saw the booked ticket on my phone.

They exchanged bewildered looks, not understanding my intention.

Nervously, I put down my phone and said, "Mom and Dad, what if I want to break up with Ben? What do you think?"

The delicate rose shined beautifully on its own.

Upon hearing my words, they grasped my intentions immediately.

My mother gently took my hand and sighed, "Alaia, you are our heart and soul. We've always protected you from suffering. We don't want you to suffer after you get married."

She added, "Your father and I have modest hopes. We only wish for your health and happiness."

"Alaia, a woman's life is like a flower. She blooms more beautifully when she meets the right person, while the wrong one can make her wither."

Tenderly stroking my hair, she continued, "I hope this carefully nurtured flower will bloom forever."

My father nodded, "Although we aren't wealthy, we have enough to live comfortably. You're extraordinary. I won't let you cook for someone else's family without tasting your cooking first."

I snorted, realizing his intentions.

I said, "Dad, I'll be the chef tomorrow and let you and Mom taste my cooking."

I smiled, tears still in my eyes, and my parents mirrored my expression.

Even though they said this, they still worried about me, refusing to embarrass me further.