8
Clara was stopped, her expression instantly darkening: “Why can’t I leave? This is a hospital; are you trying to kidnap me?”
The head nurse smirked slightly “You assaulted someone, and you think you can just walk away without apologizing or paying? We’ve called the police; you’ll be staying here”
At the mention of the police, panic flickered in Clara’s eyes, and she shouted loudly: “Luke! Luke!”
What a familiar scene this was.
Eleven days ago, Luke had abandoned me for her. Now, he ignored her cries for help because of
- me.
But sadly, none of this mattered to me anymore.
Meanwhile, Luke burst through the door of our home. “Vivian! Vivian! I’m so sorry! I got you the safety lock! Vivian!”
But no matter how loudly Luke called, there was no response.
Panic surged within him.
The living room, the kitchen, the bedroom…
No one was there.
Still no one.
Suddenly realizing something, he opened the closet. Half the clothes were gone. All my things were gone, except for a single red dress–my wedding dress, bought by Luke when we married.
That year, I was nineteen.
“Luke, can you get me a red dress for the wedding? My mom said the bride must wear red for a Happy marriage.”
Luke had promised, and I’d worn it. But our marriage never brought us happiness.
He also recalled that day.
I had my hair in braids, a shy blush on my face.
In front of our families, I placed my hand in his.
I said: “Luke, we’re family now.”
The happy memories felt like it was yesterday. Yet, I was gone.
In the kitchen, immaculate as ever, he kicked a glass jar.
He picked it up, frowning. “This is…”
It was the jar I used for storing soybeans.
Clara’s first episode had been late at night.
I was worried, refusing to let him leave.
In a hurry, Luke grabbed a random glass jar from the kitchen and handed it to me. “Vivian, I promise I’ll only be with Clara ninety–nine times. Each time I go, you put a soybean in the jar. When it reaches ninety–nine, you bring the jar to me, and I will definitely come home with you.”
13:15
<8
Menu
From that moment on, the jar had been my most precious possession.
But now, it was empty.
Luke stared blankly at the glass jar, feeling as if his heart had become just as empty. Looking up, he noticed a letter on the table.
His eyes
lit up, and he rushed over to pick it up, immediately recognizing the familiar elegant handwriting.
[Luke, I’m leaving. I submitted the divorce application ten days ago, and it should be approved in
few days.
I’m sorry
for only telling you this now.
Originally, I wanted to say goodbye properly on my last day. But I overestimated myself. I’m writing this letter hoping you can do me a favor, considering our past as a couple.
The soup bowl that broke last night belongs to Ms. Johnson.
I’ve wrapped the shards in a cloth and put them in the cupboard, along with some money.
Please use that money to buy a similar one for her, and with the rest, buy two chickens.
Thank her for making soup for me that day.
Even though I didn’t get to drink it, I remember her kindness.
please pick the vegetables in the yard and give them
Also, please
to Ms.White.
weren’t home, Ms.White was worried I might have complications, so she sent her grandson over to check on me from time to time.
When you
I’ve kept all of that in mind.
Please return this favor for me.
Lastly, I want to say this:
Luke, I resent you.
I resent you for leaving me time and again for Clara.
I resent you for making me lose our child.
And I resent you for marrying me.
Our lives intertwined, but in the end, we had to return to our own starting points.
So, don’t come looking for me.
I never want to see you again.]
Trembling, Luke read the letter, sitting in silence for a long time.
He thought I would always wait for him.
He thought I couldn’t live without him.
But in this world, who really couldn’t leave whom?
