Seven Years Together, But Never Forever

In just a few words, I realized the extent of what Daniel had done for Abigail.

"This time I came back to Washington, it's all thanks to Daniel."

"Lily, I have no hostility towards you." She smiled and me and continued, "Let's try to get along well in the future, okay?"

It sounded like a request, but it felt more like a subtle form of moral pressure. After all, Abigail had been hurt so much, and all she wanted was for us to get along. If I refused, it would seem callous.

But I wasn't sure what she meant by "getting along well in the future." If this had been earlier, I probably would have reacted with anger. No one wants someone else intruding on their relationship. But now, I just found it laughable—how could I take their requests seriously?

"Fine, get along well," I said, knowing it didn’t matter much. I was leaving soon anyway, so why bother making a big deal out of it?

Abigail stayed in the master bedroom, while Daniel and I slept in the second bedroom next to it. Daniel explained that Abigail's depression was severe and that she cried for hours every night. The master bedroom was well soundproofed, so she wouldn’t disturb me.

I agreed to that arrangement.

Before going to sleep, Daniel held me like he always did. His chest pressed against my back, his breath warm and soft against my neck, sending a light, tickling sensation down my spine.

The words he spoke cut through me like a knife.

"Lily, I think Abigail is different now. She’s changed, and I can't help but feel she’s... dirty."

"You’ve noticed it too, haven’t you? But I just can’t let go of her."

"I feel sorry for both you and her."

"But you have to believe me when I say I will only marry you, I love you."

I couldn’t tell if Daniel had been drinking too much with Abigail before going to bed, but he talked to me all night. He shared everything—things he should’ve kept to himself and things that hurt more than I could handle.

Just when I felt myself drifting off to sleep, I noticed an emptiness beside me. Daniel was gone.

When I woke up the next morning, I saw him walking out of the master bedroom. He explained that Abigail needed to take her medication regularly, so he had gone in to remind her. I didn’t press him, trying to be understanding.

At breakfast, Abigail struggled with the unfamiliar dish. Daniel quickly ran downstairs to the convenience store to buy a steak. Normally, he didn’t cook, but this time, he fried it himself and brought it to her.

Abigail smiled at me teasingly.

"Daniel is so good at taking care of people. You must be so happy all these years, right?"

I just smiled and didn’t reply.

We had lived together for so long, and while Daniel couldn’t stand the kitchen fumes, I was the one who always cooked.

I didn’t even know that Daniel could fry steak. He did it so skillfully, and the presentation was beautiful.

"He didn’t know how to cook at first," Abigail said, as if boasting. "But every year when he came to see me, he’d fry a steak for me, and eventually, he learned. You know, Daniel is really good at cooking, right?"

Her tone felt almost like she was claiming him, as if I hadn’t been the one by his side all these years.

Daniel glanced at me, looking uncomfortable. "I’m sorry, Lily. I’ve been too busy lately, but I’ll definitely cook for you more in the future."

I just laughed it off and didn’t say much.

After breakfast, Daniel quickly took Abigail to the hospital for a checkup. As I dragged my suitcase out of the room, he looked at me, puzzled.

"Are you going on a business trip? I didn’t hear you mention it."

"Yes, I’m going on a business trip," I replied.

Daniel, in a rush, didn’t ask any more questions and hurried out.

Maybe Daniel truly cared too much about Abigail. Otherwise, the Daniel I knew—attentive, meticulous—would have noticed that all my documents were gone, that traces of me had almost been erased from the house.

"Are you leaving now?" he asked, his voice breaking through the silence.

There were still three hours until my flight took off, and somehow, I found myself standing at the crossroads of what had been my life with him. I had spent so many sleepless nights wondering what life would be like without Daniel. What would it feel like to walk away?

I hadn’t expected it to happen like this—on such an ordinary morning, or so plainly.

"Yes, I'm leaving now," I said, my voice quiet but resolute.

Daniel was helping Abigail, who had just complained of feeling unwell. He waited by the door, his hand on her arm. When he saw me struggling with the suitcase, he started to step forward to help, but paused, his gaze shifting to Abigail, making it impossible for him to take that step.

"I'll take you," Daniel offered.

"No, it's not on the way to the hospital," I replied. "I can just take a taxi."

Daniel let out a breath of relief, visibly grateful. He turned to help Abigail downstairs, but before he left, I called after him softly, "Daniel, goodbye."

He walked away quickly, likely not hearing me at all.

At the airport, I received the physical examination report for Abigail, sent by Daniel. He told me she was in a terrible condition—not just suffering from severe depression, but also battling a serious infectious disease. Daniel couldn’t accept her like this.

He was going to give up.

[Lily, our wedding will be held as scheduled. Have you booked your parents' tickets to come over?]

I took a screenshot of my flight to Chicago and sent it to him.

[I've been waiting for you for so many years. I'm tired of waiting.]

[Daniel, let's break up.]