Chapter 10
555words
Perhaps she sensed that this would be our final conversation. The sadness on Selena's face deepened until she suddenly collapsed into my arms and broke down crying. "Will I ever see you again in this lifetime?"
My body stiffened.
"If fate allows," I said.
The room felt heavy, almost suffocating.
I hated this kind of sadness. I forced a smile and deliberately tried to lighten the mood. "Who knows? Maybe when you get married and have kids someday, I'll have to fly back from abroad to give you a wedding gift. Don't turn your nose up at my money just because you'll be a business tycoon by then."
She was still in my arms when she suddenly shook her head hard. "When I get married, don't come."
I had not expected that reply. Had she come to hate me so much that she did not even want to see me again?
For a moment, I did not know what to say. I could only nod awkwardly. "Okay. I won't show up and bother you…"
She wiped her tears and turned her head away, sulking like a child.
"I'm afraid that if you come back, I'll want to leave with you the moment I see you," she said, her voice trembling.
Rain began to fall, each drop tapping straight into our hearts. I did not know how much time passed before she finally stood up, unsteady on her feet.
Her beautiful eyes were red like a rabbit's, yet she still forced a smile.
"You're not allowed to forget me for the rest of your life," she said fiercely. "If you do, I won't forgive you."
No matter what had happened between us, the good memories would never leave my mind. She truly was the woman I had loved most in this lifetime. She had been there through all of my youth.
I smiled in a way that looked worse than crying. "I won't."
Her lashes fluttered.
"I'm leaving now," she said softly. "If you ever need help in the future, you have to call me. Don't… Don't carry everything alone like you used to."
I promised her.
Her hand rested on the doorknob. Before she left, she turned back one last time.
"I owe you too much in this lifetime," she said, her voice breaking. "I'm… I'm really sorry."
The door closed. She disappeared completely from my sight.
I could not hold it in any longer. Tears fell at once.
That winter was colder than any other. Snowflakes melted slowly in my palm, just like the love that never reached an ending.
I knew Selena stood behind me, waiting for me to turn around. But once you decide to leave, you do not start over.
Those years of struggling together were beautiful, yet they were meant only to be remembered. Life has to move on. Anyone who remained trapped in the past was a fool.
At 80,000 feet above the ground, the city where the love of my life lived spread out beneath me.
