Loving You is Too Exhausting

Before I could say a word, Simon grabbed his coat and rushed out the door.

I looked down at the tickets in my hand, then at his retreating figure.

In my heart, I knew there would be no "next time."

A moment ago, as he leaned in, I clearly overheard Assistant Mateo’s voice at the other end of the line.

"President Lewis, Miss Abigail just left a letter at the office and disappeared."

Almost simultaneously, a new message from Abigail popped up on my phone.

[Want to guess if he’ll finally divorce you this time?]

I sneered and typed a curt reply. [Feel free to try.]

After sending the message, I blocked her and walked into the concert hall alone.

The music was as moving as always.

When I returned home, I began packing my belongings.

The memories between Simon and me were far too numerous.

The photo wall was covered with pictures of us, the scarf I knitted for him, the intricate knot I made by hand.

The bookshelf, lined with gifts, he once gave me—things I had cherished as treasures.

Now, none of it mattered anymore.

I glanced at the clock and saw only 10 hours were left.

Simon called, his voice furious. "Valerie! What did you say to Abigail?"

I chuckled coldly. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."

His agitation only grew. "Don’t lie to me! You were the last person she contacted!"

"I’m warning you—if anything happens to her, I won’t let you off!"

He hung up abruptly.

I smiled bitterly. Just because Abigail had gone missing first, he lashed out at me like this.

What he didn’t know was that I, too, was leaving.

Looking at the clock, four hours had passed.

I carefully packed away every item in the house that belonged to me.

All the memories of Simon and I went into a trash bag—along with the remnants of a love that no longer existed.

Looking around, I saw that I had erased every trace of myself from this house.

Dragging my luggage behind me, I left this place that had been both a source of warmth and endless pain.

Only three hours were left.

On the way to the airport, I received a call.

"Miss Valerie, are you sure you want to cancel all your personal identification records?"

Without hesitation, I replied, "Yes, I’m sure."

The plane ascended slowly from the runway.

Sunlight streamed through the tiny gaps in the window.

This was the start of a new life.

Simon, we will never meet again.