He whispered, “It’s insecurity.”
Because of insecurity, he was sensitive;
because of insecurity, he was rude.
Because he lacked love, he didn’t know how
to love.
So he was anxious and insecure, constantly testing me.
Afraid I’d leave him, he used guilt to bind me
to him.
But…
“Those are excuses. Why is being mean a
flaw, but being stubborn isn’t? They cause
the same harm; you can’t hurt others just
because you lack love; stop making excuses.
“You’re selfish and cold, so you know it but
don’t want to change.”
I repeated Mark’s words back to him.
“Mark, you don’t love me enough.”
<
After that day.
I never saw Mark again.
He seemed to keep his promise, not
appearing in front of me.
I worked diligently.
In my free time, I participated in various
competitions.
During a marathon,
Someone deliberately knocked me down; I
reported it to the referee, and they
disqualified him.
He held a grudge and deliberately hit me with
his motorcycle on my way home from work,
trying to teach me a lesson.
When I was being followed, I noticed
something was wrong.
But it was too late; I couldn’t shake him off.
A moment before the impact, someone pulled
me away.
A muffled groan sounded; Mark, whom I
<
hadn’t seen in a long time, suddenly
appeared.
He shielded me; his arm was fractured.
He seemed to notice me looking at him. Mark turned his face.
Because of the pain, beads of sweat
appeared on his forehead.
He forced a smile, comforting me: “Don’t be afraid.”
At the hospital.
The doctor treated Mark; I stood beside him.
After everyone left, I said,
“I’ve called the police; they’ll contact you
later; medical expenses and other losses will
be compensated.”
I put down the fruit basket, preparing to
leave.
Mark stopped me: “What about you?”
He hesitated, “I saved you; don’t you have
anything to say?”
く
I paused, my voice cold: “Are you trying to
blackmail me with your kindness again? What
is it this time? Are you asking me to get back together?”
Mark’s face turned pale; he said urgently,
“Sarah, that’s not what I meant; I just wanted to talk to you…
I let out a breath, relaxing slightly: “That’s good.”
My relaxation seemed to sting Mark.
He looked at me for a long time, his voice
bitter.
“Is this how I look to you now? Even when I
save you, you think I’m acting?”
I didn’t speak.
But my silence gave Mark the answer.
Every event leaves a mark.
Mark had deceived me before; everything
seemed fine on the surface.
But after that, whenever he did something
<
similar, I couldn’t trust him.
I would doubt, hesitate, and waver.
Once a crack appeared in a relationship, it
could never return to how it was.
Broken trust is irreparable.
Noisy chatter came from the corridor.
But the ward was quiet, as if in two different
worlds.
Mark took a deep breath.
“Sarah, I’m just here to say goodbye.
“I’ve vaguely realized my personality issues,
but I’m too proud and unwilling to take it
seriously.
“I’ll be transferred to the US next month.
“There, I’ll see a therapist, receive treatment,
and work to correct my flaws.”
Mark’s fingers trembled; he tried to control
himself.
But several attempts failed.
He looked at me, hope in his eyes.
く
Like a child, he was stubborn.
“Sarah, if I really improve, if I learn how to
love correctly, will you give me another
chance?”
It’s hard to describe my feelings.
I once believed that people who loved each other would never part.
I once fantasized about a long life with Mark. There was no betrayal, no infidelity, no
interference.
But we still broke up.
It turns out that love can be depleted.
On this ordinary day, Mark asked if I’d give
him another chance.
I heard myself say, “No. Let it go.”
Mutual devotion is the hardest thing in the
world.
When I pursued Mark, he never looked back.
When he finally came to me, I had already
accumulated enough disappointment to leave.
<
now is also real.
So let it go; it’s over.
Outside the hospital.
I ran into Mark’s friends visiting him.
His friends looked awkward when they saw
- me.
I nodded coldly, wanting to leave.
But they stopped me.
The leader hesitated before approaching. “Sarah, why did you delete all our contacts?”
I turned my head: “Mark and I broke up.‘ He retorted, “You broke up with him, but we can still be friends.”
Others crowded around, complaining and
sounding a little aggrieved.
After a long silence, they quieted down.
I spoke, my voice flat: “Friends? Did you
consider me a friend?
“Why did you always speak up for Mark?”
He was stunned, smiling awkwardly
“Wasn’t it to help you reconcile? Would we advise you to break up?”
They were Mark’s friends; their hearts were already biased.
Everyone spoke for Mark, making excuses for him.
纸
No one saw my grievances; they were
insignificant.
So, when they called me friend, I only found it
amusing.
“No need to contact me anymore. It’s
unnecessary.
Then, I ignored them, turning to leave.
I heard from Mark again.
A year later.
I was on a business trip to the US and ran
into him on the street.
He was alone, staring at a stray cat.
“Sarah, you…is Pudding okay?”
Since I took Pudding,
<
He became unusually affectionate towards
- me.
The scratches on my arm were slowly fading
and healing.
“He’s fine; he’s gained some weight.” “That’s good.”
After a few words, we ran out of things to
say.
I checked my watch; I didn’t want to waste
time.
“Mr. Mark, I have something to do; I’ll go
now.”
After a polite nod, I picked up my bag and
tried to leave.
Mark stopped me.
He tried to smile.
“Sarah, how…do you think I am now?”
He even spun around, creating distance for
me to observe.
I thought for a moment: “You’re good.”
<
Mark used to have a cold expression towards
everyone.
His politeness was superficial, concealing real
distance.
But just now, when he passed a stall, he naturally picked up a fallen orange.
When someone bumped into him, he said it
was fine gently, unlike before, when he’d looked disgusted.
He seemed to have humanity.
He suddenly interrupted me.
“I…” Mark hesitated.
“I’ve changed now; I still love you; can you…”
“Then I wish Mr. Mark all the best, and that
you meet someone better.”
I interrupted him; Mark’s face turned pale.
But I had already turned and walked towards
the sunset.
The sunset cast a warm glow on the earth.
Everyone was bathed in the warm light.
<
Everyone was bathed in the warm light.
I no longer needed to guess Mark’s subtle
intentions.
He’d become bold and courageous, unafraid. He was willing to frankly express his love and persistence.
But no one waits in the same place forever.
Mark would improve, but I would improve too.
Dead trees sprout new leaves; after sunset,
there is a new dawn.
Much later, I understood.
Proactiveness is a gift.
A rare gift.
I’ll strive for a better future.
And I’ll have a better life.
