Quiet Goodbyes, A Love Without Tomorrow

What’s wrong with me?

What was wrong was that I had already decided to leave. But I didn’t want to argue, so I patted Vincent’s hand gently.

“We’ll talk about it after I’m done, okay?”

***

My professor was thrilled with the success of my latest paper.

“This is incredible work! But... are you sure you’re ready for the research institute? Life there can be dull, you know. Experiments and data, day in and day out—can you handle the isolation?”

I nodded, the memory of Vincent’s condescending attitude in the car still fresh in my mind.

I straightened my posture and spoke with quiet determination. “Don’t worry, Professor. I won’t lose your face.”

“You?” He chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re one of the best—handpicked for this role by the government itself! Let me be clear: I’m the lucky one to have you on my team.”

Leaving his office, I spotted my junior colleague scowling in the window.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Miss Claire,” she fumed, “wasn’t that your boyfriend I just saw outside? He was sharing a cup of bubble tea with a woman! That’s so inappropriate—doesn’t he care about boundaries? Isn’t this basically betrayal?”

I smiled faintly. “It’s fine. That’s his… sister.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Sister?”

I understood her disbelief. Vincent had lost both his parents when he was young and Zoe’s family had taken pity on him, offering him shelter. Later, when Vincent became successful, he naturally helped Zoe, his so-called sister.

But my junior colleague wasn’t convinced. Her indignation only grew. “Really funny! Sister? Yeah, right! This is classic green tea behavior. Senior, let me handle this for you—I’ll tear her apart!”

I quickly grabbed her arm. “Don’t act rashly.”

After all, I’d tried that before. I’d argued, fought and accused, only for Vincent to look at me coldly and say, “Claire, you’re being ridiculous. You, of all people, should understand my relationship with Zoe. Jealousy like this is beneath you.”

He was right—jealousy was meaningless. Especially now. I didn’t want to stir up any trouble before I left.

So, I told my junior there were still a few days before I left and asked her to help me keep it a secret.

She hesitated. “So… are you still going through with the wedding?”

I shook my head.

“No,” I said softly. “I’m leaving. There’s no point.”

The words just fell.

Before I could explain further, Vincent’s voice came from behind me.

“Claire, where are you leaving?”