I Miss You at the End of Time

“How long has it even been? Have you forgotten everything? Just last night we were still holding each other!”

Alexei looked at me quietly. A thousand emotions seemed to stir in his eyes. In the end, he only sighed softly.

“Emilia, that was ten years ago. I have my own family now, my own life. I can’t—and I won’t—go back to the past for you.”

Then what about me? What was I supposed to be? And what about the child inside me?

Just yesterday, Alexei was still eagerly waiting for our baby to be born. Why did he suddenly have a family with another woman overnight?

I cried until I could hardly breathe. But Alexei was determined to send me away. Even Camille couldn’t bear it and tried to persuade him to let me stay. He still wouldn’t change his mind.

He simply turned his head away and said in a tone I couldn’t quite understand, “Emilia, people can’t live in the past forever. I can’t and neither can you.”

I froze for a moment. Then slowly, I loosened my grip—on his hand and on the past I refused to let go of.

Yes… everyone else has moved on. No one should have to stay behind with me in yesterday.

I lowered my head and walked slowly toward the door. My mother tried several times to speak, to stop me. Yet, after hesitating, she stayed silent.

When I reached a familiar door, I took a deep breath. I wished that by opening it, I could return to ten years ago—to those who truly loved me.

But no.

Beyond that strange door was a strange hallway. The family I once knew looked at me with unfamiliar eyes.

Suddenly, I felt so tired. My knees gave way and I fell before I could stop myself. Just before I lost consciousness, I saw Alexei running toward me, catching me firmly in his arms.

When I opened my eyes again, everything still felt strange. It felt as if what I’d seen before I fainted had only been a dream.

I could hear my mother was speaking to Alexei nearby. “Do you really have to be this cruel? Emilia is my daughter too. I just can’t bring myself to do this.”

“Mom, we’ve finally made it through. Please, stop clinging to the past. When I married Camille, I promised I’d let go and live a good life with her. I’ve already wronged Emilia once—I can’t betray Camille too.”

My mother sighed in resignation. “Maybe… that’s for the best,” she said softly. “But Alex… please take care of yourself too.”

Their voices grew fainter and fainter until I could no longer hear them. Cold tears slipped into my palms. I wiped them away—along with my broken heart.