The rejected ring - S01 E01

Story 2 months ago

The rejected ring - S01 E01

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 1

The Rejected Ring

Episode One

Benjamin stood outside Evelyn’s apartment holding a small black nylon bag in his hand. Inside the bag was a little red box. And inside the box was a silver engagement ring he bought from the market earlier that day. It was not expensive, but he bought it with love.

He took a deep breath before knocking on the door. His heart was beating fast. He was about to take the biggest step of his life.

Evelyn opened the door. She was wearing a short gown and holding her phone. She smiled when she saw him.

“Benjamin, you did not even tell me you were coming,” she said with a calm tone.

“I wanted to surprise you,” Benjamin said with a shaky voice. He stepped into the apartment and closed the door.

Evelyn sat on the sofa and crossed her legs. “Okay, I hope it’s a good surprise,” she said.

Benjamin dropped the nylon bag on the table and sat beside her. He held her hand and looked into her eyes.

“Evelyn, we have been together for eight years. Eight good years. I love you with all my heart. I have been saving some money. I think it’s time to settle down. I don’t want us to waste any more time,” he said.

Evelyn removed her hand gently and looked at him. “Benjamin, what are you trying to say?” she asked.

Benjamin knelt down on the floor. He brought out the small box from the nylon. He opened it slowly. The cheap silver ring was shining under the bulb light.

“Evelyn, please marry me. Be my wife. Let’s start our life together. I promise to work hard and take care of you. I may not have much now, but I know our future will be bright if we are together,” Benjamin said.

Evelyn stared at the ring for a long time. She shook her head slowly.

“Benjamin, please stand up,” she said with a cold voice.

Benjamin’s heart skipped. He was still kneeling. “Why? What is wrong? Please say yes to me,” he said.

Evelyn looked straight into his eyes. “Benjamin, I cannot marry you,” she said firmly.

Benjamin froze. He could not believe what he just heard. “What do you mean you cannot marry me? Evelyn, we have been together for eight years. Eight years of my life! I have given you everything I have. How can you say no?” he said with a shaky voice.

Evelyn stood up and walked to the window. She folded her arms. “Benjamin, listen to me. You are a good man. You are kind. You are caring. You are hardworking. But you are poor. Very poor. I cannot marry a poor man,” she said.

Benjamin stood up slowly. His hands were shaking. His eyes were filled with tears. “So because I am poor, you cannot marry me? After everything we have been through? After all these years?” he asked.

Evelyn turned to face him. Her face looked angry. “Yes. That is the truth. I cannot suffer in my father’s house and then continue to suffer in my husband’s house. I am tired of poverty. I want a good life. I want money. I want comfort,” she said.

Benjamin wiped his face with his hand. “Evelyn, you know I am working. You know I own a small restaurant. I may not be rich now, but things will get better. I will not always be poor. Give me a chance. Believe in me,” he said.

Evelyn shook her head. “I have been believing in you for eight years. Eight years, Benjamin! And what do I have to show for it? Nothing. You are still selling rice and beans in a small shop. You are still struggling. How long will I wait? Another eight years? No, I cannot do that,” she said.

Benjamin took a deep breath. He went closer to her. “Evelyn, don’t talk like this. Money is not everything. Love is the most important thing. I love you more than life. Please don’t throw away what we have because of money,” he said.

Evelyn raised her voice. “Benjamin, love cannot pay bills! Love cannot pay house rent! Love cannot buy clothes! Love cannot buy food! You don’t understand. I am tired of love without money. I want a better life,” she said.

Benjamin held her hand. His voice was trembling. “So you want to leave me? After eight years?” he asked.

Evelyn pulled her hand away. “Yes. I cannot continue like this. I have made up my mind,” she said.

Benjamin sat back on the sofa. His head was down. His heart was broken. “Evelyn, do you remember when you were sick three years ago? I closed my shop for weeks just to stay with you in the hospital. I borrowed money for your treatment. I slept on the floor by your hospital bed. Was I not good enough then?” he asked.

Evelyn’s eyes turned red, but she held back her tears. “Benjamin, I am not saying you are not good. You are a good man. But good men without money are not useful. I need a man who can provide for me. A man who can give me the life I want,” she said.

Benjamin shook his head. “So all the years we shared mean nothing to you? All the dreams we planned? The promises? Do they mean nothing?” he asked.

Evelyn sighed. “They mean something, but not enough. I cannot continue to waste my life. I cannot keep waiting for you to become rich. I cannot marry into another poor family,” she said.

Benjamin’s voice broke. “Evelyn, please don’t do this. Please don’t throw me away like this. I love you. You are my everything. Please don’t break my heart,” he begged.

Evelyn looked away. “I am sorry, Benjamin. I cannot marry you,” she said.

Benjamin stood up. He closed the small box and put it back in the nylon bag. His hands were trembling. He looked at Evelyn with pain in his eyes.

“Evelyn, I never believed you would do this to me. I thought you loved me,” he said with a broken voice.

Evelyn looked at him boldly. “I used to love you. But love without money cannot last. I have seen someone else. A rich man. He will marry me,” she said.

Benjamin’s mouth opened. His heart sank. “A rich man?” he asked.

“Yes,” Evelyn said firmly. She raised her chin. “I have seen a rich man who will marry me.”

Benjamin stood there in silence. His whole world collapsed. The woman he loved was gone. The woman he sacrificed for had chosen money over him.

The room was quiet. Evelyn picked her phone and sat down again. Benjamin looked at her one last time. His eyes were filled with tears. He walked slowly to the door. He did not say another word.

Evelyn did not look at him. She was busy scrolling on her phone.

The door closed gently behind him.

Evelyn whispered to herself. “I have seen a rich man who will marry me.”

To be continued