Ghosts of What We Had

Five days before my departure, I submitted my resignation to the school. Back then, to be with Wendy, I'd rejected Professor Kelley's offer to conduct research with him. Instead, I chose to become a schoolteacher.

My colleagues were startled by my resignation.

"Why are you resigning, Mr. Hill?" one of them asked. "You were handing out your wedding invitations a while back. Could it be that you've decided to become a househusband? Your future wife sure is lucky."

Holding my things, I chuckled and said, "No. Actually, the wedding has been canceled."

…

As soon as I opened the door of my house, I saw Harvey and Wendy, whom I hadn't seen in a week.

When Wendy saw the things I was carrying, she asked out of habit, "What are those things you have with you?"

I brushed her off with an excuse. "It's just some stuff I don't need anymore, so I brought them back."

Nodding, Wendy looked around the house before asking doubtfully, "I was only gone for a week, but why does it feel like the house is now a lot emptier?"

I set my box of things down in the bedroom before calmly replying, "I just got rid of some unnecessary clutter."

Wendy opened her mouth to speak, but Harvey beat her to it.

"Wendy put a lot of effort into going on this trip with me, Nate. I also have to thank you for allowing her to fulfill a dream of mine by having a wedding photoshoot with me. How's this? Let me treat you guys to a meal to thank you for looking out for me. I'm afraid I'll have to continue troubling you for some time. I hope you won't mind my presence, Nate."

Judging from the goading look in his eyes, I deduced that he was getting antsy. After all, I'd shown no reaction at all since the day I received Wendy's pregnancy report. I didn't even confront Wendy about it.

Needless to say, I wasn't keen on engaging in such pointless fights with Harvey. In five days, I'd be out of Wendy's life for good. All I wanted to do now was get everything settled here in Rockshire so that I could leave in peace.

My silence led to Harvey asking hesitantly, "Wendy, is Nate upset? After all, you two are about to get married, but…"

Hearing that, Wendy immediately frowned and reprimanded me in displeasure.

"What's with that attitude? Harvey is sincere about wanting to thank us! It's just a meal. It's not like anyone's going to poison you. You're going. A grown man like you shouldn't be engaging in such petty jealousy."

I hadn't even said a word, but Wendy was already making me the bad guy. In the end, she succeeded in dragging me out.

At the restaurant, the server asked us for our order. I'd only just opened the menu when I heard Wendy say, "Keep everything low sodium and lightly seasoned, and make sure the chef doesn't put chives in anything."

Once the food arrived, Wendy attentively served some food onto Harvey's plate before shoving a large platter of shrimp over to me.

"Harvey can't have seafood. I got this for you."

Staring at the platter of shrimp, I lost all my appetite. I set my cutlery down and said, "I'm allergic to seafood."

What a joke this was.

We'd been dating for five years, yet Wendy was oblivious to my seafood allergy. On the other hand, she knew Harvey's dietary requirements like the back of her hand. She even remembered minor details like his dislike for chives.

Evidently, my seafood allergy was new information to Wendy, whose eyes went blank for a moment. When she finally looked at me again, there was a tinge of guilt in her gaze. She ordered a few more things for the table, but I never picked up my cutlery again. Instead, I merely sipped my water throughout the entire meal.

We were walking down the steps leading out of the restaurant when I got Gemma's call.

"Nathan, Professor Kelley wants me to confirm whether you're serious about sticking to the research's projected schedule. Our first research involves a confidential project. You might not be able to have any contact with the outside world for a year or two."

My gaze fell on Wendy and Harvey, who were walking shoulder-to-shoulder ahead of me. As Wendy went down the steps, she instinctively supported her abdomen with one hand.

My tone was even as I replied to Gemma, "I'm sure about it."

Relieved, Gemma said, "That's good to hear. Professor Kelley was afraid you wouldn't bear to part with your future wife."

I withdrew my gaze and started heading off toward the other side, all the while telling Gemma, "The wedding has been called off. I've already made all my preparations to leave."

As soon as I said that, I heard a puzzled voice ringing out behind me.

"Who's leaving?"