All Chapters of Love's Long Gone, but She Still Begs: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

A once-in-a-decade torrential rainstorm hit Ashville.After work, my colleagues gradually left one by one, leaving me to work overtime.Joanne Sanders texted me, "The rain is really coming down. I'll come pick you up."I knew she was trying to make peace.Last Saturday was our wedding anniversary. I had booked a restaurant, but she never showed up.I waited at the restaurant until closing time before I saw that Philip Wyatt had posted on Instagram. In the photo, Joanne's profile was gentle and graceful.The caption read, "I had such a happy birthday this year. Thanks, Joanne, for buying me dinner."When I got home, I pulled up the photo and confronted Joanne.But she simply pushed my hand away with an irritated air."Philip's out here on his own on his birthday. I'm his boss—what's the problem with me showing a little concern? Quit trying to stir up trouble! It's not like our anniversary only comes around once."Sure. An anniversary came every year. But so did a birthday.Th

"If there's nothing else, I'm going to take a bath," I said.Joanne sidled up to me. "How about I join you?""Don't. I've got a cold, and I'm not feeling well."With that, I shook off her hand and headed straight into the bathroom.From outside came the sound of the front door slamming—Joanne had probably gone out once more.And just like that, she was giving me the cold shoulder again.In the past, every time we had a cold war, I'd be restless and on edge. I'd constantly be thinking of ways for us to patch things up, like pretending to accidentally send her a message and then explaining that I had sent it to the wrong person.However, Joanne would hardly ever reply, and she never showed the slightest curiosity about it. When I called her, she wouldn't even pick up.At times like that, I couldn't focus on work at all. All I could think about was rushing home the moment the workday ended.But now, strangely enough, I actually felt at ease.Especially since I was sick, I really

Joanne said, "I really didn't know. There's nothing going on between Philip and m—"I cut her off. "Joanne, it doesn't matter.""What?""I said it doesn't matter. I don't really care anymore whether something's going on between you and Philip or not."The color drained from her face instantly. I turned to look out the window, putting an end to the topic.…From that day on, Joanne began picking me up from work every day and stopped going out to social gatherings.Every day, I would leave a signed copy of the divorce papers on the coffee table in the living room. But she simply pretended not to see them, and I didn't press her either.After all, it was only a matter of time before we got divorced. I had just been the one to bring it up first.If I were to show any urgency, she'd probably sneer and say I was just playing hard to get and throwing a tantrum.One day, as soon as I got into the car, Joanne said, "Nina's nephew, Travis Burke, has had his school enrollment sorted out

As I was heading to work the next day, my phone kept buzzing with a barrage of WhatsApp messages from Joanne.I was a little surprised. It was as if the two of us had swapped roles. In the past, I was the one who frequently messaged her.I replied once, and Joanne immediately called me."Gary, Philip's fever yesterday was pretty serious. I took him to the hospital, which is why I didn't go home for the night.""Oh, I see.""Gary, I'm sorry. I should have let you know.""It's fine. I understand.""Gary, I…"I had arrived at my office, so I said a quick word and hung up.As the end of the workday approached, Joanne sent me another message."Nina and the others want to get together today. Do you want to come with me?"I almost thought I'd misread it.In the past, Joanne would get together with her friends every few days. I had always wanted to join, but she never once brought me along.She'd say, "What would you even do there? It's all women, and you can't drink anyway."Bac

The new place had a subway station right downstairs, with a direct line straight to the company's doorstep.On my first day at work, I actually saw Joanne downstairs. Her car was parked along the curb.I nodded at her in greeting, then went on my way into the subway.Joanne followed me in.The morning rush hour meant that the subway was packed. Beside me, Joanne used her backpack to carve out a bit of breathing room.I looked down and saw on her face the look of someone waiting to be praised.I didn't say anything. She wouldn't be able to keep this up for long, anyway. In fact, the more strongly I objected, the more motivated she might become.She had always been like this, like a teenage girl in her rebellious phase.Back then, Joanne had bought a place right next to her office. Every day when I commuted to work, I had to transfer between two subway lines and still walk a stretch.There was a time when I wanted her to give me a lift to and from work.Joanne reluctantly agree