He and the Past, Letting the Memory Go

Our love couldn’t withstand the test of time.

Leon’s eyes were filled with dreams of the future, but he didn’t notice I was staring coldly at the message from my professor.

"Dear Cassidy, congratulations on being accepted into the Veridian Research Group. We depart tomorrow at noon. Please review the information carefully. Once you sign the non-disclosure agreement, your current identity will be deactivated. You will be untraceable for the next three years."

Without hesitation, I signed my name.

It wouldn't be just three years. In the next ten, twenty years, I would disappear completely from Leon’s world.

At this period of my life, I would never return to anywhere closer to him, not even after I die.

Leon could choose to leave me and run to Myrna. I, too, could choose to leave him and head toward the vast, endless plains.

My professor urged me to hurry and pack my belongings.

Then, as I looked around the villa, filled with memories, I found I didn’t want to take anything with me.

I woke up early, gave the housekeeper the day off and spent two hours making breakfast myself.

When Leon got up, he immediately rushed over to me, snatching the spatula from my hand.

"Where’s the maid? Why are you cooking?"

I told him, "She’s resting. Today is your birthday and I wanted to spend it with just you."

Leon froze for a moment and to my surprise, his eyes welled up with emotion.

"Ever since you got pregnant, just the smell of cooking oil makes you feel sick. If anyone should be cooking, it should be me."

He said, "Sweetheart, just go sit on the couch. Let me take care of everything today. My biggest birthday wish is that my wife is happy every single day."

If it weren’t for the photo Myrna sent me,

At that moment, I would have felt like the happiest woman in the world.

But sadly…

I sighed quietly and handed Leon his phone. "A message just came through."

Leon looked a bit nervous. When he saw my uncertain expression, he finally let out a relieved breath.

"You're the best, my Dear. You never mess with my phone's privacy."

He thought so highly of me, yet he also thought I was foolish and naive.

Last night, after he fell asleep, I went through every message and record on his phone. He took advantage of my trust, blatantly pinning Myrna's contact to the top.

In the purchase history, there were endless items—lingerie, toys, all sorts. Records of hotels, the office and the car too. Then, my birthday, our anniversary.

Myrna would just send a message and Leon would show up on time, every time.

What struck me the most was a message Leon sent to Myrna on the day I found out I was pregnant.

[Stop the meds. Let's get you pregnant soon. I can make Cassidy accept your child, so our kid and the child from her can accompany each other. You've been doing great. As long as you don’t cause trouble in front of Cassidy, I can give you everything you want.]

Leon really did love children. Yet, the children he loved weren’t just the one growing inside me.

I couldn’t bring myself to recall the heart-wrenching pain of last night.

I forced myself to remain calm, but my hands kept trembling. I was terrified Leon would notice something was wrong, but his focus was entirely on his phone.

"Today’s the day for your pregnancy test results. The hospital reminded me to take you early, so I’ll head over first. You stay here and rest, I’ll be back soon."

"Will you come back?"

Leon smiled and patted my head. "Don’t say such silly things. Today’s an important day and I want to spend it with the person I love most."

"When I get back, don’t forget to open your gift," I said as I pointed to the beautifully wrapped gift box on the coffee table.

Soon after Leon left, I received a new message from Myrna.

[I'm pregnant. Your biggest advantage is gone. In the end, it will be me who wins.]

I replied with a smiley face and placed the phone next to the gift box. I thought to myself, Leon would surely have an unforgettable birthday with Myrna by his side.

Meanwhile... me...

I glanced at the clock and walked briskly towards the mysterious car without a license plate parked downstairs.

As the car drove past the hospital, I saw Leon’s Rolls-Royce. He seemed to sense something and rolled down the window, glancing in my direction.

My professor asked if I wanted to go down and say a final goodbye.

I simply shook my head in response.

From then on, the stars still shone brightly. But Cassidy would no longer exist in this world.