Chapter 4

“I’m sorry. I… I didn’t do it on purpose…”

Lily’s voice was trembling, and she sounded fearful.

She could not look at that wound.

Every time she looked at it, she grimaced.

I couldn't stand the pain, and she knew that.

Even if it was a small cut, my head would spin.

Instead, I quietly took out the first-aid kit.

Then, I treated my wound with much difficulty.

David seemed smug. He thought he had won again.

I did not know how we went from close friends who could talk about anything to enemies who hurt each other.

In the past, he was the one who wished for my happiness the most.

He would feel angry on my behalf whenever I fought with Lily.

Whenever I was anxious and uncertain, he would stay up the whole night to talk to me.

However, he ended up snatching my happiness from me and telling me that I did not deserve it.

A lot of times, I really wanted to ask him why.

However, the words stopped on the tip of my tongue, and I gave up.

David dragged her away as they left.

However, she was looking at me the whole time.

It was their two-hundredth day anniversary. It was my birthday too.

I was already used to Lily forgetting about anything relating to me.

The living room was a huge mess. The dishes she made had already cooled. A layer of oil was on top of them.

I slumped onto the floor and recalled the eight-year relationship.

I had once been extremely happy, and I was extremely hurt afterwards.

Our fights had outnumbered the smiles we shared.

At night, Lily returned again.

She climbed into the bed gently and hugged me from behind.

“Ben, I’m sorry.

“I was wrong today. Please forgive me.”

I did not speak. Instead, I shut my eyes tightly.

I only opened my eyes when I heard her breathing slowing down.

Then, I let out a long sigh.

Lily woke me up in the morning.

She propped herself next to the bed and rubbed her nose against mine.

It was as if we were deeply in love again.

“I didn’t manage to spend your birthday with you yesterday. Let’s celebrate today.”

As she spoke, she pulled me up and squeezed my toothpaste for me.

As I shaved, she stood next to me and looked at me quietly.

“What a handsome man.”

Even though she was praising me, I felt a bitter feeling.

It had been a long time since she looked at me intently.

These moments were meant for me.

She drove me to the beach.

It was the first time we went out on a date ever since she met David.

The sun was scorching, and she tiptoed and shielded me from the sun.

We walked in silence. When we passed by a heart drawn in the sand, she stopped.

She held my hand, just like how she did when I proposed to her.

“Ben, wait for me.

“After this, we’ll get married, and I’ll make it up to you.”

She looked sincere and loving.

However, her eyes were no longer pure. I could not tell what she was truly thinking.

I could not tell if she really meant it.

My hair was ruffling from the sea breeze. It covered my teary eyes.

I felt a lump in my throat as I wanted to sob.

“What about me?

“What am I to you?”

A familiar voice yelled.

Nobody knew how David had located us. His fists were tightly clenched.

Lily suddenly let go of me and pushed me aside.

The tenderness in her eyes immediately disappeared.

“Hear me out…”

Before she could speak, David threw a handful of sand into my eyes.

“Are you blind?

“Don’t you know she has proposed to me, and we’re about to get married?

“Ben, why are you so shameless?”

My eyes hurt and started to tear up.

However, he was not satisfied. He grabbed my collar and tried to punch me.

At that critical moment, Lily stopped him. However, she said, “Ben, it’s over between us. Don’t come and harass me anymore.”

She pushed all responsibilities toward me and then hugged David.

It was as if it was all my fault.

It was as if I was separating them.

I suddenly laughed.

I was laughing at my eight-year relationship, and how it was so unimportant compared to his illness.

I slowly walked back alone.

Lily had left me there as she wanted to bring David on a drive to calm down.

“You know he gets angry when he sees you.

“It’s not far from home. It’s not a long walk. Be good.”

I walked for eight hours.

It took me the whole night to dawn.

When I reached home, my legs were jelly. I collapsed on the floor.

Lily was still not home. She was with David.

However, I did not have time to be sad. I forced myself to stand up. I took my luggage and went to the airport.

I had already transferred my mother to a different hospital.

She would be able to see me get married and happy.

I would no longer be a part of Lily’s future.

Before I took off, I sent her the last text message and an electronic invitation.

[I never truly knew you after eight years. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to my wedding.]