Expired Love

Jethro left without a word, slamming the door shut behind him.

I closed my eyes, tears of despair streaming down my face.

...

Something compelled me to follow him to the hospital.

As I parked, I saw Nancy standing in the cold outside the hospital. A big smile broke on her face when she spotted Jethro.

She jogged over to link arms with him, and they went upstairs, chatting and laughing.

A chill ran through me, but I forced myself to follow them.

"This is so good! Thank you, Jethro!" Glen exclaimed in the hospital room, praising Jethro's cooking skills.

Through the little window, I saw him and Nancy standing side by side, both smiling warmly at Glen.

Nancy turned to him. "Thank you for coming so late. But won't Valerie be upset?"

Jethro didn't answer.

Nancy leaned on his shoulder and sobbed, "But you're the only one I can rely on now. I've regretted it all these years. I shouldn't have been so stubborn and married him. I shouldn't have left you just because you were with Valerie. I know you've always had feelings for me, but I don't deserve you anymore."

"Don't say that," Jethro said, taking a deep breath. "I'll take care of you and Glen, but Valerie is waiting. I need to go back now."

He turned to leave, but Nancy held him from behind, bursting into tears. "Don't go."

I watched, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. The pain was so much that I couldn't even breathe.

Steeling myself, I pushed open the door to the room.

Jethro jumped, pulling away from her. Panic crept onto his face. "Valerie, it's not what you think. Let me explain."

Behind him, Nancy suddenly screamed, "Isn't it? We went through thick and thin together. Do you really just see me as a sister? Dare you swear that you've never liked me?"

Jethro remained silent, but silence was acquiescence.

Glen got out of bed and rushed over to protect her. He glared at me and spat, "You bad woman! My mom says Jethro is going to be my dad sooner or later. I won't let you take him!"

Nancy quickly covered his mouth, but the damage was done.

I gave a bitter laugh, staring at Jethro. "Is that what you think, too? Is that why you're doing everything for them? Do you really see her as your sister or unattainable love?"

Jethro panicked. "I admit that I liked Nancy before, but that was in the past. I'm taking care of them only because..."

"Enough!" I yelled. "It doesn't matter anymore. From now on, you can take care of them openly."

He was confused. "What?"

I took a deep breath and wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes. "Jethro, let's break up. When you left me at the wedding, our relationship was over."