Too Late to Love Me

"What do you think, Howard?"

Howard was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. "You're right, Mom. It's just a pheasant, after all. We'll do as you say."

Looking up in shock, I saw Megan throwing herself into his arms with a delighted laugh. Then, Howard took out a massive diamond ring he'd prepared in advance from his pocket. He slipped it onto her ring finger and tenderly kissed her fingertips as everyone cheered.

I'd seen that ring on TV a few days ago. It was worth two hundred million. I glanced down at the plain ring on my finger, now yellowed and tarnished. Howard had given it to me on our first anniversary. It wasn't expensive, just a few hundred bucks, but I was as happy as a fool back then. Even though it wasn't even real silver and the color had faded badly, I couldn't bear to take it off.

I hid in a corner like some shameful voyeur, watching as the two of them held hands and smiled while drinking toast offered by the guests. The drinks were meant for both of them, yet Howard took them all on her behalf and gently handed her a glass of juice instead. "You're allergic to alcohol," he said softly. "Drink this instead."

Megan leaned on his shoulder like a pampered little princess, blushing and happy. "Howard, you're the best."

Howard had a weak stomach. Back when we were together, I was the one who always drank for him at parties. I'd instead drink until I had a stomach hemorrhage than let him have a single drop. I had taken such meticulous care of him for three years. Now, to protect someone else, he didn't even care about his own body.

That man must have been thrilled today. I had never seen him drink so much. Soon, he was drunk and Megan helped him upstairs to a guest room. I knew leaving at this moment was sensible, but I was standing outside their bedroom door before I knew it. The door wasn't closed tightly and the sounds from inside were faintly audible, making my face burn. My hands were shaking as I dialed Howard's number. It rang for over ten seconds before he picked up. His voice was hoarse and breathless. "Freya, what's wrong?"

"Howard," I cried, "let's get married. I don't want a dowry or a house. Just come back now and we'll register our marriage immediately, okay?"

I knew how pathetic I sounded, how low I'd fallen. But sometimes, love makes you let go of your pride. If Howard stopped now, walked out of that room and returned to me right this second, I'll pretend none of this ever happened.

Howard paused for a moment, then gave a helpless little laugh. "Silly girl, why are you crying? I never said I wouldn't marry you, but my mom's still in the hospital. I don't have the heart to think about marriage right now and I don't want to rush you into something less than you deserve. Once she gets better and I've made more money and bought a house and a car, I'll give you the wedding you deserve. Okay? Just wait for me a little longer. My part-time job will run late tonight, so I won't be home. Lock the door and get some rest. I'll bring back something tasty for you."

He suddenly let out a muffled groan and quickly hung up the phone. At the same time, the sounds from inside the room grew more intense and unbearable. I numbly lowered my phone as tears poured down my face. On the way home, the sky opened, pouring rain that soaked me to the bone. The cold rain washed over my face, only to be repeatedly replaced by my own tears.

Suddenly, I felt so tired and my head grew heavier and heavier. Before I lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground, one final thought echoed in my mind: Howard, I'm never going to wait for you again.

When I opened my eyes again, it was already dusk on the third day. I was lying in a hospital bed. The nurse told me that a kind passerby had brought me in. I turned on my phone, but Howard hadn't sent me a single message. No matter how busy he was, he used to always message me goodnight and remind me to eat breakfast.