The Most Expensive Lesson

Five years ago, I held Sherry Renner's hand in our rented room and made a solemn promise. I vowed to help her fulfill her entrepreneurial dream and rise to the top of the industry. For that promise, I rejected the family-arranged business marriage. Dad was so furious he shattered his teacup, while Mom wiped her tears, pleading with me to reconsider. Yet I was resolute, investing all my savings into Sherry's Company. Working late into the night revising proposals until three a.m. became the norm. To secure investment, I drank with clients until my stomach bled. I even mortgaged the old family house my grandfather left me to fill the Company's funding gap. Sherry always held me close and said, "Richard, once the company go public, we will get married." I believed her, giving myself day after day without hesitation. At last, the day of the Company listing arrived. After the bell-ringing ceremony, the celebration banquet was adorned with bright lanterns and decorations. Wearing the suit Sherry had personally chosen, I waited for her to honor her promise. But on the stage, Sherry was holding the hand of a young man. He was Seward James, an intern who had joined the Company just three months ago. "Hello, everyone," Sherry said into the microphone, her smile radiant, "today is not only the day the company goes public, but also the day Seward James and I registered our marriage." The entire room erupted in shock; my blood ran ice cold instantly. Seward wrapped his arm around Sherry's waist and looked at me with a mocking smile. "Looking forward to working with you... Mr. Gilman." I rushed onto the stage and grabbed Sherry's wrist. "What the hell?" Sherry shook off my hand, her gaze icy: "Richard, We haven't been right for each other for a long time." The celebration banquet turned into their wedding. During the banquet, Sherry approached, holding a wine glass with a hollow smile: "Richard, drink this, and let us part on good terms." I stared at the stranger she had become and took the wine glass, downing it in one gulp. The liquid burned as it went down my throat, carrying a strange, searing heat. Soon, dizziness swept over me, and I collapsed to the ground, weak and helpless. In my fading consciousness, I saw Sherry and Seward standing side by side, coldly watching me. When I woke again, I was lying on a hospital bed. An infusion tube was inserted in my arm, and my throat was dry and raw. The nurse told me I had been poisoned, and if I had arrived any later, I would have died. It wasn't until the afternoon of the next day that Sherry arrived with Seward. She carried a fruit basket and placed it on the bedside table. "Richard, I'm sorry, I was too busy yesterday." "Too busy?" My voice hoarse, I said, "Too busy celebrating your wedding night with him?" Seward stepped forward, his tone flippant: "Richard, watch your words." "I married Sherry also to help us." Sherry averted her eyes, "Seward's family has more resources; they can help the Company attract more investment." I looked at this treacherous couple before me, consumed by bitter irony. Five years of wholehearted devotion repay me with such betrayal. "Sherry," I said slowly as I sat up, "From today on, we owe each other nothing." She was momentarily stunned. "What do you mean?" I said firmly, "From now on, you and your company have nothing to do with me." Sherry's face changed; clearly, she did not expect me to say that. I stopped looking at them and pressed the call bell: "Please escort them out."