- 4.
Back in Springfield, I saw a specialist at a
private clinic.
“Ms. Miller, you’ve missed the optimal
treatment window. You likely have only a few
months left,” the doctor said, delivering my
death sentence.
I wasn’t devastated, just weary. “I see.”
Seeing a young woman alone with such a dire
prognosis, he asked gently, “Where is your
family?”
I stared at the white walls, remembering the
day I left the orphanage. Jason held my hand.
Sarah, you’re not alone anymore. I’ll give you
a home.
<
I shook my head, smiling faintly. “I don’t have
any family.”
After checking in, I tucked away the diagnosis
and went to buy toiletries. I ran into someone
I knew at the store entrance.
“Sarah?” I looked up. It was Chloe.
“Chloe, it’s been ages.”
Almost ten years. We’d promised to be each
other’s bridesmaids. Another broken promise.
Perhaps with age came less animosity. We
chatted at a nearby tea shop.
“Why are you at the hospital alone? Where is
he?” she asked.
く
I shrugged. “Jason? We’re divorced. He’s
probably remarrying soon.”
She looked stunned. We’d been so in love.
Divorce seemed impossible.
I looked out the window, sipping my taro milk
tea. “The taste has changed. It’s not as
sweet.”
“Are you unwell?” she asked.
“Not yet. But I’m dying.” It sounded like a bad joke.
The next second, I heard soft sobs. “Sarah,
how could you? Leaving without telling me, getting married without me…”
I listened to her vent, then handed her
<
tissue. “Death is something I can’t control.”
Finally, I relented. “But Chloe, you’re my only
friend. I’ll leave it to you to bury me.”
Her sobs intensified.
I spent a few days in the hospital. Then Jason
texted. Where did you get that handbag?
Anya loves it and wants one too.
I almost swore at him. I just replied: Get lost.
He started typing. I smirked and blocked him.
Chloe brought in fruit. “He doesn’t know
you’re sick?”
I tossed my phone aside and bit into an apple.
“He doesn’t deserve to know.” I didn’t need
<
texted. Where did you get that handbag?
Anya loves it and wants one too.
I almost swore at him. I just replied: Get lost.
He started typing. I smirked and blocked him.
Chloe brought in fruit. “He doesn’t know
you’re sick?”
I tossed my phone aside and bit into an apple.
“He doesn’t deserve to know.” I didn’t need
his pity.
I thought that was the end of it. Jason, with
his pride, wouldn’t bother me again. But that
night, I got a call from an unknown number.
“Sarah, please don’t…” She hung up,
powering off her phone before he could
finish. Jason was acting strange. Silent for
<
“Are you insane?” she snapped, finally
answering, wanting to scream obscenities.
“You left some things at the house. Come get
them,” Jason said, his voice edged with
impatience, probably from the endless.
blocking.
“Toss them,” Sarah replied, refusing to be
civil. “If I didn’t take them, it’s because
they’re junk.”
“Seriously?” His voice rose. She suddenly
remembered. “Yeah, that hideous teddy bear
you made? I’m not lugging that bad juju
around.”
Ignoring his ensuing roar, she smashed her
phone, ending the conversation – and
hopefully, his harassment.
<
