Chapter 4

John left in such a hurry he didn't notice the car's Bluetooth was still on.

I heard him panting as he rushed upstairs.

The plastic bag rustled, filled with medicine.

He knocked on Selena's door.

Selena's eyes lit up when she saw him. Then, she glanced behind him.

"Where's Minnie?"

John suddenly realized that I was still in the car.

He pursed his lips and pulled out the ointment.

"She didn't want to come up here, so she told me to come check on you. How can you sprain your ankle walking downstairs? You're so clumsy."

For the first time, Selena didn't argue back.

She remained silent, letting John apply the medicine.

John's fingers paused, but he didn't say anything else.

The Bluetooth connection cut out due to signal loss.

My hand, which had been resting on the doorknob, retracted.

After sweating so much, my mind became surprisingly clear.

I informed my manager that I was willing to go overseas.

"This is so sudden. Didn't you say you needed some time to think it over?"

I shook my head, my voice firm.

"I've made my decision. I should have left a long time ago. I'll complete the work handover in the next few days. I won't cause you any problem."

My boss sighed, clearly reluctant to see me go abroad.

"You're one of the most brilliant and hardworking members of my team. Not having you around is gonna take some getting used to."

Honestly, I didn't think "brilliant" was a word that should be used to describe me.

I had always been like a hardworking ox, quietly toiling, waiting for John to finally notice my qualities.

But all I got in return was being abandoned again and again.

I got out of the car wrapped in a blanket. A kind lady helped me to the hospital.

As I was getting IV fluids, John bombarded me with calls.

I didn't pick up, so he left voice messages.

"Why did you leave without saying a word? Selena and I are worried sick."

"Selena's leg injury has gotten worse because we went around looking for you."

"You think you can act recklessly just because you're sick? No one owes you anything, and no one is obligated to indulge you."

I listened calmly, feeling not a single ripple of emotion.

While paying the bills, I saw John carrying Selena out of the outpatient clinic.

His head was lowered as he listened gently to something Selena was saying.

Then, he smiled softly, very dotingly.

I took a photo and sent it to him, along with a text that said:

"Looks like you don't need me. Just take good care of her."

After sending it, I immediately turned off my phone.

When I got home, I started packing my things.

I always thought John and I had a lot of stuff, but once I actually packed, I realized that everything that belonged to me could fit into a single suitcase.

In the photos of our travels together, Selena was always there.

Selena's name was also written on the handicrafts John and I made.

Selena even had a set of pajamas at home that was completely identical to our couple's pajamas.

I pulled out a letter that was hidden under a trophy.

It was a handwritten love letter I wrote for John before we started dating.

He said I was cringy, but he'd kept it until now.

I gently unfolded it, rereading my girlish sentiments.

Seeing an extra line, I suddenly froze.

The last line read, "John, will you be with me?"

And the extra line read, "John, are you content with this?"

I immediately recognized Selena's handwriting.

It seemed I wasn't the only one who felt discontent over the past five years.

I let go, and the yellowed envelope fell into the trash.

Then, I zipped up my suitcase and left without looking back.

When John returned, the house was empty.

He didn't think much of it. Over the years, whenever I was mad at him, I'd run off to stay somewhere else for a while.

Sometimes for two days, sometimes for a week.

John was used to it.

He even thought I might have gone to Selena's place.

He sent a few texts, reminding me to take good care of Selena.

I didn't reply to any of them.

A week passed, and I still hadn't returned home.

John took a detour to my company to look for me.

He brought a bouquet of roses and waited at the entrance.

He waited for half an hour.

Then, he grew impatient and casually stopped one of my coworkers.

My coworker stared at John with a surprised expression, looking him up and down.

"Aren't you her boyfriend? How can you not know? She's been assigned overseas. She won't be back for three years."