4#04

4

I got to my feet, shaking off the dust from my nightwear. The flames cast a warm light on my face, but my words were as cold as ice.

"It's okay. I found insects, possibly roaches, crawling inside the album when I opened it, so I burned it."

Noticing my composure, Lucas finally understood he might have overreacted. He took a deep breath and spoke more gently.

"Are you alright? I apologize—I got a bit too upset. We've been gathering those pictures for a decade. Weren't we planning to display them at our wedding? Why did you burn them?"

"If there were bugs, you could have waited for me to return or at least sent me a message. I would have dealt with it," he continued.

I didn't look at him. The person standing before me was no longer the young man who once vowed to protect me forever.

"You've been swamped with work lately, so I didn't want to trouble you with something so minor."

He stood next to me, looking sadly at the remains. The irony of this scene couldn't have been more apparent—he was the one who ruined our ten-year relationship for another woman, yet here he was, acting as if he still cared.

I turned to go back inside, but he misinterpreted my indifference as sulking and embraced me. The overpowering scent of Black Opium perfume made me sneeze repeatedly, but he held on, seemingly overcome with guilt.

"Are you feeling unwell?" he asked, his voice soft. "I'm sorry. I know I've been neglecting you recently. Once things calm down, let's take those photos again, okay? We'll replace what we lost—and then some!"

In the past, hearing these words might have mellowed me. But after a trip to the emergency room and realizing he'd forgotten my severe allergy in favor of another woman, I couldn't pretend anymore. I wanted nothing more to do with him.

When he finally let go, I stepped back resolutely and said, "No need to apologize. If you really want to make amends, perhaps you could throw me a proper birthday celebration."

Due to my cream allergy, I was always absent from my own parties. But since I'd be leaving soon, I wanted to experience at least one birthday with him by my side.

Unexpectedly, he seemed unsettled by my simple request. He nodded, but before he could say more, his phone rang. Looking at the screen, he quickly said, "It's an urgent work matter. Don't wait up for me tonight—I'll make it up to you, I promise."

As he spoke, he was already backing away. By the time he finished, he was yards away, almost running.

In reality, I knew it was the ringtone specifically for Celine, but I didn't challenge his lie.

The following morning, people arrived to set up the party, and among them was Celine herself. She claimed to be there to oversee the arrangements since she'd designed the setup. But by day's end, I noticed that the decorations were just a simpler version of her own birthday party.

When the workers left, she sauntered over, a smug smile on her face.

"Well, everyone's been busy all day. What do you think? Does it meet your expectations?"

As I looked at her, my eyes fell on the necklace she wore—a piece I had lost. I narrowed my eyes as I said coldly, "A hand-me-down setup for a hand-me-down person. It suits you perfectly."

Hearing my words, Celine seemed offended, and without another word, she glanced to the side, picked up a crystal ornament, and smashed it on the floor. A shard cut her foot, and she began to cry pitifully.

Before I could react, Lucas stormed over and slapped me across the face.

"Enough with the drama! Celine took time off to help with your party, and this is how you thank her?" he snarled.

"If you don't like it, then do it yourself!"

Without waiting for an explanation, he lifted Celine into his arms and rushed her out. I sat alone in the now-silent room, the quietness around me growing oppressive.

The next morning, no one had shown up for the party. Well, it wasn't surprising, really—Lucas had been my only friend for these ten years.

When the cake arrived, I opened the box, cut myself a small slice, and stuck a single candle in it. Closing my eyes, I made a simple wish. "May our paths never cross again."

I couldn't even eat the cake because of my allergy. When my phone rang, signaling the end of my countdown, I grabbed my suitcase and walked out without looking back.

On the way to the airport, I sent Lucas one final message.

"Let's end things here. There's no need to keep in contact."

Not even a breakup. Just a simple conclusion to ten years of my life.

As I turned off my phone before boarding, he was already calling me frantically.