Goodbye Means Never Again

Early the next morning, Justine was already up and dressed. She had washed up and changed into the black formal suit she pulled out last night. She looked in the mirror—at her pale face and hollow eyes—and nearly laughed. She really did look like someone going to a graveyard.As soon as she stepped into the living room, Gavin clicked his tongue loudly. He grabbed his half-finished bowl and purposely bumped into her. The chowder spilled on her blouse, soaking through the fabric.He smirked, his voice thick with mockery. "Disgusting."Justine looked at the boy who used to be sweet and well-mannered but was now brash and mean-spirited. The sight filled her with a deep, quiet sorrow.She had fought tooth and nail to give him the best—tracking down elite tutors and even standing in the pouring rain to beg one of them to take him on. She had burned with fever for three days afterward.At the time, she thought she was paving a path for him to grow into someone kind and upright. She had n

At 10:00 pm, Justine was curled beneath the covers, wrapped in layer after layer. Even so, she was unable to stop the creeping chill that climbed up her limbs. Her head throbbed with fever. Heat and chills rolled through her body in waves, leaving her dazed and shivering.At some point, she passed out. She didn't know when she fell asleep, and she wasn't sure when she woke up.Eventually, she stumbled out of bed and tried to pour herself some water. But her hand gave out. The kettle slipped from her grasp and clattered on the floor, sending scalding water splashing across her feet and legs. The pain jolted her into momentary alertness. Instinctively, she turned toward the bathroom and fumbled to turn on the cold water, but as soon as she opened the tap, the world spun violently. Her body gave out, and she collapsed into the tub.The last thought that flickered through her foggy mind was, "Is this really how it ends?"But fate wasn't quite ready to let go of Justine. She woke up

Justine slung the heavy bag over her shoulder and walked away. Noah didn't chase after her, and she hadn't expected him to. With Hazel clinging to his arm, Noah didn't spare a second glance at Justine. His attention was entirely consumed, leaving no room for anything beyond Hazel's presence.By the time Justine sold off the last of her things, the sky had already gone dark. Every house on the block was alight with joy.Justine didn't want to spend the evening wallowing in self-pity, so she headed to a bar she had always wanted to visit but never had. The decor was artsy, and the vibe was mellow. She had mentioned it once to Noah, but he had sneered and said it wasn't the kind of place decent people went to.The moment she stepped inside, she could feel the difference. Unlike most bars, it wasn't loud or chaotic. Soft music filled the space, the dim lighting enveloping the place in a cozy and calm vibe.She chose a spot in the corner and had barely taken her seat when the host w

When Justine woke up in the hospital, it was already early the next morning.The doctor frowned as he explained her condition, "Your previous wounds hadn't even started to heal, and now, you've taken two more stabs. If a bystander hadn't gotten you here in time, you would've bled out before making it. "You shouldn't be going through something like this alone. You should let your family take care of you."She was stunned to learn it was a bystander who had taken her to the hospital.She blinked. Noah had been right across from her that night. And yet, he had done nothing. She wondered what he had been doing while she bled out.Justine's thoughts flashed back to that night outside the bar. She gave a bitter smile and shook her head at the doctor. "I don't have any family.""I honestly don't know how you still have the nerve to cling to Noah." Hazel's voice cut through the silence.Hazel was suddenly here, leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed and a smug smile tuggin

Hazel froze, momentarily caught off guard. The lines she had rehearsed were stuck in her throat, and a strange sense of unease started to bubble in her chest. It had barely been half a day, yet she couldn't understand why Noah's attitude had changed so drastically.Her mind raced, and she quickly softened her approach. "You're right. I was reaching for something that was never mine. Justine is… perfect. I'm sure she's a far better mother than I could ever be."But just as the words left her mouth, Gavin blurted out from the side, "I don't want that freak to be my mom! I don't want her! I want Ms. Gilbert to be my mom!"Noah had never found Gavin's tantrums so grating before. He opened his mouth to reprimand him, but Hazel cut in with quiet, quivering sobs, "Maybe coming back was a mistake. I'm sorry for causing tension between you and Justine. I'll leave. I'll pack up and be gone in a couple of days."As expected, Noah softened the moment he heard that, and his tone eased. "I did