Ashes of Love, We’ll Never Meet Again

“Nothing, we are getting older, so we have to plan early. Sooner or later, it will be theirs, so why not prepare early, just in case something happens to us?”

He nodded. “Okay.”

Clara's words made his heart tighten. He had never thought about what if. When he thought about it carefully, they were already this old, had lived half of their lives, had both sons and daughters and were living an enviable life after retirement.

Since when did something seem different? Clara's abnormal behavior always came to his mind, as if she was hiding something. 

Jackie was inexplicably a little panicked. Could she be sick?

He spoke subconsciously, “Clara, are you feeling unwell? Why don't I go with you to get checked tomorrow?”

Clara looked calm when she answered, “No, I'm fine.”

Lately he seemed to be finding it increasingly difficult to understand her.

She did not ask about his daily behavior, did not care whether he had breakfast and tended her garden as usual. He always felt that she was strange.

After a while, the two sat in the living room in silence.

Jackie was silent for a while and could not help but say, “Clara, we are not only lovers, but also relatives. If there is anything, you must tell me, don't force yourself.”

He wanted to say that he still cared about her, but he still married another woman with great fanfare after she left. 

Even though her body was still warm and even though his children objected, he still threw his oath to Clara to the winds.

So no one knew how sincere he was.

After that day, he no longer went to South Park for a walk early in the morning and returned late at night, but always hung around in front of Clara.

While she was cooking in the kitchen, he would light the fire, boil water, cut vegetables and fetch bowls; while she was shoveling the soil in the yard, he would water the flowers. 

In the morning, when he got up, he would just walk to the gate, turn around and come back.

The two of them were busy and harmonious, as if the days of their love for each other had returned again.

During this time, his cell phone kept ringing. He pressed the button again and again and finally it was turned off.

He picked up the morning paper and read it while discussing with Clara, “Our country won again in table tennis. It is worthy of being the national sport. These kids are as good as the veterans. 

“Especially that one, he has a righteous face. I see many little girls are very enthusiastic about him.”

Clara did not say anything. He thought she was still angry because he went to look after Mara so many times. 

“Clara, Mara is alone here. I am just looking after her. If you don't like it, I will not care about her anymore.”

Clara sneered, “I don't dislike her. I know you just want to take care of her, that's all.”

He understood the meaning of the words, but Jackie's face still darkened. The corners of his mouth twitched but he did not say a word.

Clara smiled and said again, “You can also bring her home, I don't mind, I can even give up the master bedroom.”

His breath was choked and the hand holding the newspaper trembled slightly.

No matter how well he covered up his dirty thoughts, he could not deceive his eyes.

Looking far away, Clara said slowly, “Jackie, do you remember how we met?”

Jackie also put down the newspaper with a deep look in his eyes. 

He had just broken up that year and was walking on the street bored. At the corner, a girl in a white dress and pigtails caught his sight. 

The girl had fair skin and a bright smile and he seemed to be missing Mara, with whom he had just broken up. No, she was more beautiful than Mara.

When she was about to leave, he hurriedly chased after her and thus an unforgettable relationship began.

In the early years, the woman stood strong while the man remained fragile and Clara's family had always been kind. 

He was a fledgling boy from the countryside, yet Clara wholeheartedly supported his ambitions, choosing instead to stay home, care for their family and embrace motherhood.