A few days later, I received a call from Alec's parents.
They told me Alec wanted to see me.
On the other end of the line, his voice sounded exceptionally weak.
He spoke very slowly: "Faye, I'm truly sorry."
"I never meant to hurt you."
"When I was with you initially, it was because I genuinely liked you."
"I'm just sorry that I couldn't resist other temptations..."
"Would you come to see me one last time?"
I declined.
I said: "Alec, if there's one thing I hates most, it's going backwards."
"If there's a next life, or the life after that... I hope we never cross paths again."
I could hear screaming coming from the other end of the line.
They called me a heartless bitch.
But so what?
I have to live my own life to the fullest.
Why should I be responsible for his life?
The breathing on the other end went from heavy to gradually slower.
He was extremely emotional, but couldn't utter a single word.
Finally, even the choked sobs disappeared.