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At first,he was the perfect father,husband,son-in-law.But it was all a facade.
I only enjoyed six years of his fake fatherly love.
So it was only natural that I had lost faith in love and marriage,rejecting it—until Daniel.
He was like a warm sun,lighting up my life.
In the second year in high school,on a Saturday,I was collecting cardboard boxes and bottles near the school.A classmate saw and mocked me in front of everyone,saying I picked trash for a living.
Their scornful looks humiliated me.
Daniel walked up however,handing me a paper with a smiley face drawn on it, which looked exactly tha same to me as his radiant grin.
"Ignore them.Nothing shameful about it.After school,I'll join you."
"Huh?"
After class,he grabbed a big bag and took me to the sports field.
"It's busy there,with lots of people working out, bound to be lots of empty bottles from athletes."
It was where I most wanted but feared to go.Yet Daniel acted like it was normal,even bragging about his"haul."
I would never forget the heat, the gentle breeze,and how sunset glowed on his hair,casting irregular shadows through the trees.I fell for him at once.
Daniel took my load,saying it was too heavy,and had me ride behind him on his scooter.
I wanted to laugh—empty bottles aren't heavy.
But every ride home,he would take the long route,making it slower than walking.
He claimed he didn't know the way.I knew he was lying but never called it out,savoring the moment.
With him,I stopped feeling ashamed of scavenging.
But things didn’t became clear until one evening at school.
Daniel swapped seats with my deskmate,whispering playfully,"I want to be ‘friends’ with you. Be my girlfriend will you?"
I blushed furiously.
That night,he rode me home as usual but lingered at my door,waiting for my answer.
Fearing I'd wake Mom,I agreed.
He spun in excitement.I urged him to leave,but he stole a kiss under the moonlight.
As we grew closer,I told him about what had happened between my molm and dad.
Daniel was heartbroken,vowing to protect me forever.
I didn't know at that time that "forever"was such a hollow word.
Knowing Mom was ill,he'd care for her on holidays.She adored him,saying she'd rest easier with him by my side.
But Daniel forgot his promises in the end.
He came home late,humming cheerfully.
I hadn't slept yet and was sitting in the dark living room,lost in memories.
He jumped,coughing as his song stopped."You're still up?"
After ten years together, yet today his face felt foreign.I couldn't read him.
I just stared at him calmly,searching for traces of the love he once had for me.
