ManyWriters

1
From seventeen to twenty-seven, I was head over heels for Everett for a decade, and everyone knew it.
Three years ago, we finally made it official, but Everett still did whatever he wanted, completely disregarding my feelings.
Even on my birthday, he could fly thousands of miles away just because his childhood sweetheart said she "wanted to see snow," leaving me all alone here.
I had finally accumulated enough disappointment with him, and after breaking up, I fled overseas.
I thought that would be the end between us, but Everett, who would normally frown even when I tied his tie for him,
Stood out in the snowy night for hours, his eyes red-rimmed as he asked me:
"Delia, do you really not want me anymore?"

After Ten Years As a Lovestruck Fool, I Choose to Leave

However, I later learned through gossip that Everett wasn't drunk at the time. He was right beside his brother when he made that phone call.


After I hung up, everyone present watched as Everett's face turned black as night. Not a soul dared to console him. They could only watch helplessly as Everett smashed his glass and sneered:


"Delia, I'll give you credit for having guts." Then he continued to pour alcohol down his throat like there was no tomorrow.


I had applied for a spot in a renowned professor's graduate program in England. My application was approved, and I would be leaving for the UK soon.


I thought that would be the end of our past entanglements. To my surprise, when I went out to buy essentials, I saw Everett waiting outside my home.


He was leaning against his car door, his eyes devoid of emotion as we made eye contact.


I looked at him as if he were mentally ill and tried to walk around him, but he grabbed my wrist.


It had been a few days since I'd last seen him. Everett's eyes were slightly red, and his voice was a bit hoarse:


"Delia, how long are you going to keep this up?"


"Didn't you always want to spend our anniversary in Italy? I've already booked the tickets."


Everett had always been cold towards me. This time, in his view, he was doing me a huge favor.


I just wanted to laugh, though. Breaking free from Everett's grip, I asked, "You're not going to Tokyo?"


Everett froze for a moment, then replied, "Tokyo is Isadora's personal trip. What does that have to do with me?"


Everett had said this kind of thing more times than I can count.


Isadora had originally planned to go abroad to study on her own, but because she was unfamiliar with foreign countries, she ended up asking Everett for help.


I had been in a minor car accident at the time. It wasn't life-threatening, but I couldn't get out of bed. I begged Everett for ages to come to the hospital every day to keep me company.


But I'd only been in the hospital for one day when Isadora, who had planned to go abroad in six months, suddenly changed her schedule.


And with just one phone call, she summoned Everett away from my side. I couldn't get out of bed, and every movement sent searing pain through me.


I held onto Everett's hand, begging him not to go, but he just looked at me deeply for a moment before prying my fingers off one by one, telling me not to make a fuss.


Everett was gone for a whole month, even though I'd injured my leg while going to see him.


But he never once asked how I was doing.


My eyes began to burn with tears once again, and suddenly a thought occurred to me.


"Everett, do you truly want to reconcile with me?"


Chapter 4