12
Ethan had no family; I handled his affairs. He
owned little; his most precious possession
was Lucky.
After a few nights looking at Lucky becki.
<
After a few nights, looking at Lucky basking
in the sun, I made a decision.
I quit my job.
Lily was shocked. “Sarah, no romance, we
can still have careers! Why give this up?”
I smiled. “I have a promise to keep.”
I would go to Tibet and paint a sunrise for
Ethan.
I wasn’t skilled at landscapes, but I was good
at portraits. Before leaving, I visited Sam.
I offered to pay him to go to Tibet and paint a
sunrise.
Lily didn’t understand, thinking I was giving up
everything for a promise.
Jesse didn’t understand either. He’d secretly
bought the art studio where I worked. Hearing
about my resignation, he rushed over.
I’d wondered about my unexplained absences
and increased salary. Jesse had taken over
the studio.
<
He frowned, speaking rapidly. “If it’s because
of me, you don’t have to quit. I can transfer
the studio to you immediately.”
He pleaded, “Sarah, don’t be impulsive.”
I looked at him calmly, seeing the years pass
in his hair. “Jesse, why did you buy this
studio?”
He was in IT. Why would he buy an
unremarkable, unprofitable studio?
He lowered his head, his voice weak.
“I…I wanted to compensate you…”
He corrected himself, “I know I can’t make up
for the hurt I caused, but…”
“Stop,” I interrupted. “I don’t want to hear
your self–pitying confession. Don’t flatter
yourself, I’m not quitting because of you.”
He was stunned. “Then why?”
I looked up at the sky.
The clouds parted, sunlight breaking through.
Geese soared overhead.
<
My mood brightened.
“I don’t want to live in the past. I want to see
the future, a future without you.”
Sam finished packing. I waved to him. “Sam,
can you drive?”
He nodded quietly. “Yes.”
Happy, I drove off with him in my car.
Jesse stood there, watching until we were out
of sight.
Lily crossed her arms, clicking her tongue.
“The one who dwelled on the past moved on,
and the one who let go is looking back. How
ironic.”
Jesse wasn’t so kind to Lily. His face turned
cold. “Are you mocking me?”
“Oh, fierce glare,” Lily giggled, tossing her
resignation letter at him. “I quit. I’m not afraid
of you anymore. I wish you a lifetime of
loneliness, never seeing Sarah again!”
She left. Jesse sighed.
L
He wouldn’t see Sarah again.
Sarah no longer loved him.
It was all his own doing.
