After I Let Her Go, She Regrets It

I took care of my father in the hospital for three days.

It wasn't until three days later, when the doctor said his condition was stable, that I found time to go home.

As soon as I walked in, my girlfriend stormed up to me and slapped me hard across the face.

"Harvey Keller, was that really necessary? All I did was go on a trip, and you responded with this silent treatment!

"If you don't want to be with me anymore, then let's break up!"

This wasn't the first time she had threatened me with a breakup.

In the past, whenever she said it, I would always back down, doing everything I could to win her back.

But now, I didn't see the point.

I agreed without hesitation. "Let's break up then."

She looked at me in disbelief. "Say that again?"

"You want to break up; I'll grant your wish."

I tried to force a smile but failed, so I gave up.

"You're a jerk, Harvey Keller!"

Not receiving the usual treatment, my girlfriend was very upset and gave me a hard shove.

Then she turned, walked into her room, and started packing her things.

Before leaving, she warned, "Don't regret it!"

I won't regret it.

I still remember when I first met her in college.

She was bright, full of life, with a love for freedom. Her biggest dream was to save up enough money after graduation to live and travel all over the country.

When she talked to me about her dream, she seemed to glow with light.

It made my heart race.

I pursued her for a long time, but she didn't agree to be with me until one time when her mother suddenly fell ill, and she called me for help.

I helped her take her mother to the hospital, and during that time, I personally took care of her mother for three months so that she could complete her graduation project.

Three months later, she graduated successfully and agreed to be my girlfriend.

At that time, I told her seriously, "I hope that you're with me because you like me too. If it's just to repay me for taking care of your mother for three months, then there's no need."

...

...

She replied earnestly, "I'm not stupid enough to sacrifice myself like that! I agreed to be with you because I think I really do like you."

...

...

That day, I felt like the happiest person in the world.

Her mother was seriously ill and needed expensive medication.

At that time, we were both fresh graduates, just starting out.

To earn enough money for her mother's medicine, I worked a regular job and took on part-time gigs, and after saving money for two years, I immediately started my own business.

During those two years, we lived together but were too busy to even have a proper conversation.

But I felt very happy.

Later, when my business took off, and money wasn't as tight, she started to change.

She didn't want to suffer through work like those first two years, so I supported her.

But she still wasn't satisfied. Gradually, she said that my presence limited her freedom and that being with me had ruined her dreams.

...

Because I was too busy with work to travel with her.

She said I was her ball and chain.

Whenever we had a disagreement or I upset her, she would pack her bags and leave.

She'd go on trips for three to five months, spending my money, making new "travel companions," but never contacting me.

I couldn't bear to see her upset, so I always indulged her.

But now, I don't want to do this anymore.

This relationship was like a ship taking on water; it should have been abandoned long ago.