Butterfly Lovers

When I rose to leave the hall, Ginny called out to me from behind.

Sean walked at her side. As they drew near, she slipped her arm naturally through his, her smile bright as she held out the trophy in her hands.

"Cass, this trophy should be yours. You're the reason he's achieved so much today."

I glanced at Sean. His expression remained as calm and indifferent as ever, but he gave a small nod.

"Take it," he said.

Inside, tears were already flooding my heart, yet I forced a smile as I accepted it.

'Let it be a keepsake for however many days I still have left. Perhaps, when the time comes, I'll place it in my urn and carry it with me to show my parents,' I thought.

"Look," I would tell them. "See how capable I was? I raised a successful businessman. Not only is he handsome, he's found himself a beautiful, gentle girlfriend…"

Before my tears could spill, I turned away and left.

Back home, I let my eyes roam across the small house. I had rented it the year Sean was admitted to university. Every corner held several years of memories.

That night, after packing my belongings, I made a pot of my secret hangover soup and sat waiting at the dining table in the living room.

When the clock hand swept past midnight, I finally heard the door open.

It was Ginny who helped him inside.

"Cass," she said quickly, "a few clients insisted on more drinks at the celebration tonight. I couldn't stop them. You won't blame me, will you?"

I smiled and shook my head. "Help him into the bedroom. Get him changed into his pajamas."

Her face flushed red, and her eyes dropped as she bit her lip. "That wouldn't be proper… We're not even together yet. Sean never really pays me any attention."

"Don't worry," I said. "You'll be together someday. The way he smiles at you… it's more than I've seen from him in the past ten years."

The two of us helped him together, and Ginny spooned the soup into his mouth one sip at a time.

Soon, he stirred, mumbling in a haze, "Cass… shut down your noodle shop. I'll… buy you… a house… You rest…"

Before he could finish, he slipped back into deep sleep.

Ginny let out a sigh. "Cass, the company's just getting on its feet. Funds are tight…"

"I know," I replied. "I won't let him buy me a house. Your business matters more."

Then I turned, walked into the living room, and pulled my suitcase upright. "Ginny, I'll be away for a while. Tell him… goodbye for me."

With that, I pushed open the door and left without looking back.