2

Chapter 2

The night after the rain was very quiet, even the wind outside the window sounded harsh.

The pregnancy test on my phone screen still displayed that word "positive." My eyes were too sore to see clearly anymore.

I leaned back on the sofa, my mind drifting to a scene from over a month ago.

That day was our first fight about Judy.

"Ethan, you can hire a caregiver for her, but we're about to get married. It's not appropriate for you to keep running to the hospital to see her, is it?" I asked carefully, keeping my tone as calm as possible.

He frowned: "She's not well. What's wrong with me checking on her? She once saved my life, and she's my first love. I have an obligation to take care of her."

I took a deep breath: "But you've been at the hospital almost every day lately, and you don't even answer my calls. Aren't you being too attentive to her?"

He whipped around, impatience clear in his eyes.

"Sarah, can you stop being so paranoid? She's just a patient!"

I tried to explain: "I'm not being paranoid, I just—"

"Enough!" He suddenly slammed the table, his voice so loud it made my heart jump.

"I know you're jealous of Judy. I only discovered your true colors today, and I'm really disappointed in you. But let me tell you—Judy is the person I love most! You'll never understand what she means to me!"

In that moment, I froze completely.

His words were like a knife, stabbing mercilessly into my heart.

I couldn't help asking: "Then what about me? What am I to you?"

He seemed to realize what he'd said, guilt flashing across his face: "I don't want to waste time with you."

With that, he turned and left.

I thought those were just words said in anger.

But now I understood—every single word was true.

Shortly after he left that day, my college professor called me.

"Sarah, you're my most promising student." The professor's tone was warm and earnest. "There are very few spots for the research facility project. Your research achievements already qualify you. Going there would be a great opportunity for you. Think it over carefully."

I shook my head at the time.

"Professor, Ethan and I are preparing for our wedding. Once things settle down, I'll consider it."

My professor's expression dimmed slightly, and he didn't press further.

And now, over a month had passed.

Today, he called me again: "Sarah, the position is still waiting for you. The project launches next week. If you want to go, this is your last chance."

By then, the sky outside had darkened, rain pattering down.

Messages from Ethan's side kept flooding in: wedding photos of him and Judy, congratulatory comments, smiles, flowers.

He enthusiastically responded to the well-wishes in the comments. I could tell—he was genuinely happy to be married to Judy.

I suddenly laughed.

"Professor, I'll go."

"Are you sure? Once you enter the facility, you can't leave for three years."

"I'm sure."

A few seconds of silence, then my professor's relieved sigh came through: "Good. I'll make the arrangements. You deserve a better place, and a better future."

After hanging up, I felt my whole body relax.

I walked into the bedroom and pulled out my suitcase.

I folded clothes one by one, carefully tucking away those memories piece by piece.

I took down the framed photo from the bedside. In it, Ethan smiled warmly, his arm around my shoulders.

I looked down, gently running my fingers over it, then put it in a paper bag and threw it in the trash.

The moment I zipped up the suitcase, I heard a soft "buzz," like a string in my heart had snapped.

Our wedding invitation sat on the desk.

I picked up that paper with its gold embossing and glanced at it—

Two names printed on it:

Ethan & Sarah.

I picked up scissors and cut it cleanly down the middle.

One cut, and the names split in half.

I kept the half with my name, folded it, and put it in my pocket.