Chapter 7
The night before my departure, darkness settled..
I was busy packing my bags. Just as I was folding the last piece of clothing into my suitcase, It heard the click of the door lock turning.
Clay walked in, his suit jacket draped over his arm, his tie loosened, the faint scent of alcohol on him. He stood in the doorway, his gaze falling on my open suitcase. “What are you packing for?”
I was about to say, “I’m leaving,” but he cut me off gently,
“Maya, teach me how to make that soup.”
I stared, surprised as he headed toward the kitchen.
All these years, I was the one taking care of him; he’d never cooked before.
After a moment’s hesitation, I followed.
In the kitchen, Clay stood at the stove, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing a well–defined forearm.
He clumsily chopped ginger, his knife skills amateurish–clearly, he’d never done this before. I stood beside him, quietly instructing.
“Don’t turn the heat too high.”
“Add the seasoning at the end.”
“When the water boils, turn down to low heat.”
To my surprise, he patiently followed
brows relaxing, “Not bad.”
But he didn’t offer me any.
my instructions. After the soup was ready, he tasted it, his
He didn’t notice my gaze, just glanced at his watch and suddenly said, “Maya, I’ve got some things to handle these days. I’ll spend time with you later.”
Then he picked up the thermos, poured the remaining soup inside, and left.
I stood in the kitchen, the sound of the door closing echoing in the empty apartment. I pulled out my phone and opened Riley’s Instagram.
Sure enough, a new post:
“I suddenly have a craving for soup. Is anyone willing to learn it for me?”
I closed my phone and chuckled.
That soup was something I learned specifically for him back then.
He had a sensitive stomach; I’d heard that soup was good for it, so I scoured old–school
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restaurants, begging chefs to teach me, perfecting it after countless tries. Now, Clay, a man who never stepped foot in the kitchen, was cooking it for Riley.
Love and indifference are so clear to see.
The morning I left, after packing everything, I put on my hat and stepped out.
6 hours before departure, I went to Clay’s and my high school.
The classroom was empty, still exactly as it was. I found my old desk, tracing the crooked. inscription:“Maya loves Clay.”
I used my keys to scratch it out, until it was illegible. The wood shavings fell like the pieces. shattered youth..
5 hours before departure: I went to Lover’s Bridge, a famous spot.
of
my
The rusted love locks still hung on the railing, engraved with our names.
I’d dragged Clay there, blushing, saying, “They say if people put a lock here, they’ll be together forever.”
He’d simply hummed in agreement, letting me do my thing.
Now, I realized he probably never took it seriously.
I yanked hard, the chain snapped, and the lock sank into the lake without a splash.
4 hours before departure: I went to the Blessing Church.
I’d planned to retrieve the red ribbon I’d hung, but from afar, I saw Clay and Riley standing under the wishing tree.
The pastor asked Riley, “What do you wish for?”
Riley giggled.“For a baby to come into my belly soon.”
Clay smiled gently.“For the wishes of the one beside me to come true.”
The pastor handed them a ribbon.“May your wishes come true.”
They tried to hang it but the tree was already full.
Clay frowned, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. He turned to a young pastor. “I’ll donate five hundred thousand dollars in incense money. Take these down.”
The pastor removed the ribbons.“What should I do with these?”
Clay didn’t even look, his tone cold.“Throw them away.”
I stood around the corner, walking over to collect the discarded ribbons. Each one held
prayers:
“May Clay’s legs heal.”
my past
< Chapter 7
“May Clay be safe and happy.”
“May we grow old together.”
I smiled, my eyes stinging.
Well, at least I didn’t have to throw them myself.
1 hour before departure: I arrived at the airport with my luggage.
The announcement for boarding sounded.
After boarding, the flight attendant asked me to turn off my phone.
I opened my photo album, found the video of Clay and Riley tangled in affection, and pressed send.
Then I typed out each word:
“Clay, I know you took my bone marrow for Riley.”
“I know you gave me a miscarriage pill just because Riley cried and fussed.”
“I know you’re going to have a baby with Riley.”
“Clay, you got what you wanted. I don’t need you anymore.”
“I’ve completely given you back to Riley.”
All my
love and hatred coalesced into a single message, sent to the man I once loved. Then, I blocked him, deleted the message, and turned off my phone.
As the plane soared into the clouds, I gazed out at the swirling sky, gently closing my eyes.
This time, I will never look back.
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