Chapter 5
The emotional pain became unbearable late at night, manifesting physically.
I clutched my cramping stomach, biting my hand until I nearly lost consciousness.
Vaguely, I felt strong hands lift me up, his usually calm voice now panicked.
In my haze, memories flooded back like a tide.
My relationship with Alex wasn’t always smooth sailing – we’d once completely fallen apart.
It was in our second year together, without warning, when he suggested we separate.
I was planning our first vacation with my rare time off when he said it. It felt absurd.
He looked at me with distant eyes, as if detached: “I can’t give you what you want.”
Just moments before, he’d spent ages fretting over my burned hand.
I thought long and hard, but besides money, I couldn’t imagine what could stand between us.
“It’s okay, we can work it out together.”
“We’re so young – if we just keep trying, we can have everything we want.”
“Besides, I don’t need you to be rich…”
He cut me off, gently patting my head as if we’d never meet again.
“Emma, I’m sorry. I hope you find someone better.”
We were young then, proud and stubborn, believing no one was irreplaceable.
So I didn’t beg, didn’t cry, just feigned calm dignity: “Alex, the truth is you’re a coward. You just don’t love
me enough.”
“If that’s how it is, let’s end this cleanly.”
If love was truly overwhelming, how could he give up without even trying?
I thought I was being decisive, rational.
I’d always been practical, quick to discard anything that didn’t serve me.
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But with Alex, none of that worked.
After we split, he vanished until fate pushed us together again.
It was at an event I should never have been at, where I saw him in a tailored sit
I stared at him blankly as he fumbled for words, his wine glass turning in his hands,
“I’m… the driver… what a coincidence…”
I nodded without speaking, walking past him.
But I had this inexplicable feeling that if I missed this chance, we’d never love again.
For the first time in my life, emotion won over reason, and I took a leap of faith.
1 stopped suddenly, pushed through the crowd, running back to him.
Alex still leaned against the shadowed pillar. When I reached him, I realized he’d been watching me the whole time.
He watched as I fought through the crowd, using all my strength to reach him.
I held my head high, voice firm: “Alex, I’ll only ask this once–do you want to get back together? If you say no, this is it for us, forever.”
Just this once, I’d humble myself for love. Never again.
Alex stayed silent for a long time, then lifted his wine glass to touch my raised forehead: “You’re such a fool”
Yes, a fool who couldn’t hear the meaning behind “I can’t give you,” who couldn’t see through his flawed disguise.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
I woke up in the hospital as dawn’s birds began their chorus at 4 AM.
Alex’s fair complexion, already pale, appeared even more stark against the white walls and his dark hair, though tonight he looked unusually weary.
“Hadn’t it healed? Why such severe pain suddenly?” Seeing me awake, he gently massaged my stomac
On the bedside table sat an unfamiliar thermos. Come to think of it, unfamiliar items often appeared in
our home.
Following my gaze, he explained: “I ordered some porridge. Feel up to trying some if you’re better?”
I looked away, flexing my fingers: “Did you know the stomach is an emotional organ? Maybe my
emotions are sick.”
He laughed softly: “Who upset you? Tell me, I’ll deal with them.”
His typical response – he’d often made similar unconscious promises before.
I’d always dismissed them. What could he do, a common man with nothing but his strength?
After witnessing him violently kick down someone who’d verbally harassed me, I tried to minimize telling him about troubles I faced outside.
We couldn’t afford compensation or medical bills from impulsive actions, so I learned to let things go when possible.
Except that one time, facing workplace harassment, I risked termination to gather evidence, publish it, and sue – only to be silenced by false rumors.
I was so broken that when he casually asked, I poured out all my grief in tears.
Then mysteriously, things turned around.
The company launched an unprecedented internal investigation, the police got involved, and the manager who had long harassed female employees was arrested. I submitted my resignation.
I pulled back the covers, getting up to put on my shoes.
He caught my wrist: “Where are you going?”
“Work.” I steadied myself on the bed, looking up at him with a smile. “I’m better now. If I hurry home to
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get ready, I won’t be late.”
“A sick day costs $85. Too expensive.”
“Emma, don’t be ridiculous…”
“You go to work too,” I pushed him gently. “No taking time off.”
Alex went to consult with the doctor, who followed him respectfully.
So many details I’d overlooked before now seemed crystal clear.
Like this fragrant gourmet porridge, the homemade wine from “colleagues” stored at home, and those artisanal pastries never seen in regular shops.
