Love’s Empty Echo

When I handed the divorce papers to Callum Kipling, he was on his tablet, helping his step-sister, Hannah pick out her graduation dress. Her silky voice could be heard clearly through the phone. "Cal! I want a dress with a night-sky backdrop, adorned with stars, just as romantic as the meteor shower we watched together that night." "Alright, we'll take our time finding one. If nothing fits, we'll have it custom-made. The little princess must be satisfied, right?" Callum indulged her and almost signed his name at the bottom of the contract without glancing at the document I handed him. It wasn’t until they had finished their tender exchange and he reached for a glass of water from the table that he casually glanced at the paper. Then he laughed in disbelief. “You’ve got quite a temper, don’t you, Eloise? All this just because I didn’t go with you to the hospital? And then you jump straight to a divorce?" Why wouldn’t I? That day, I had already been unwell due to my per

I followed the direction of Callum’s finger and saw two servings of spaghetti on the dining table, their colors and aromas inviting. It was only then that I realized Callum could cook. I remembered a time when I couldn’t stomach the food from outside, vomiting uncontrollably and sweating from stomach pains. I'd asked for a simple bowl of plain stew but he had said that he couldn’t make it. Ha, so it wasn’t that he couldn’t, he simply didn’t want to cook for me. I smiled politely and declined the invitation before heading upstairs to prepare the gift I intended to give the birthday celebrant that evening. Technically, with the divorce process already underway, I didn’t need to attend any more banquets with Callum. But the hostess that night was Mrs. Gwen Bolton, my first client and the matchmaker between Callum and me. It would be improper not to go. I had chosen a hand-sewn handbag according to her preferences. The leather was soft, and the design was simple. However, when I fi

As the plane slowly ascended, the city that had brought five years of joy and sorrow grew smaller and smaller. It wasn’t until that moment that I finally felt like I was leaving. I wondered how Callum would react when he returned and realized I was gone. Would he be shocked? Would it bring him joy?We used to have a deep connection, a time when neither of us wanted to leave the other. Back then, Emmet and the others often ended our gatherings early, annoyed by how clingy we were. When Callum proposed, he had made a promise to me. “Wherever I am, that will always be your home. “I’ll stay with you forever, as your family, your kin, your lover.” But later, all those sweet words lost their meaning. He was so sure I wouldn’t leave him, that I couldn’t bear to be without a home, so he hurt me without fear, believing there would be no consequences. It didn’t matter anymore.I gazed out at the drifting white clouds, exhaled deeply, and let myself relax into the seat. There was no nee

Aunt Janice and James had opened a mountain resort and that day, I was helping the staff design uniforms when a figure suddenly walked into my view. I looked up into Callum’s face. After months apart, the once-dashing, prideful man—always impeccably dressed in suits and ties—looked drastically different. He seemed like he had just recovered from a severe illness. His complexion had turned ashen, devoid of vitality, and he had visibly lost weight. “Eloise,” he said softly, just as he used to during our dating phase, his voice filled with a familiar tenderness. I could see the longing in his eyes but all I felt was annoyance. Whatever calmness I felt vanished and was replaced by wariness and detachment. “What do you want?” I asked. “Come back with me, won’t you? “I’ve been miserable for so long,” he said. His eyes were red and the once-proud and composed man now appeared pensive, melancholic—even pitiful. But I was no longer the Eloise whose emotions he could sway.

After Callum and Hannah left, my life returned to peace. However, I didn’t expect Aunt Janice to push me into blind dates.“Come on, it’s not like you’re getting married right away. What’s wrong with getting to know someone? Besides, you already know him.”Know him? Who?I looked at James in confusion, but to my surprise, he only blinked back at me.It wasn’t until we met that I realized it was actually one of my father’s former students and my senior—Ken Morales.We had studied painting together for ten years and even participated in a design competition during college. We lost touch after he went abroad.Seeing him again, I was a little surprised. “When did you come back? How come I didn’t hear anything about it?”“Ah, it’s been a while, Eloise,” he said, clearing his throat lightly. He stood up, smiling as he pulled the chair out for me.“I just got back yesterday. I couldn’t wait to see you today.”His words hinted at something more, and I wasn’t quite sure how to respon