When Hearts Break and Heal

I paused for a moment.

March eighteenth was Gustave's birthday.

How old was he now...

Lesley was overjoyed.

"Mr. Watson, you're turning twenty-eight this year, right? Such an accomplished young man. Birthdays are important, you shouldn't miss it!"

I continued eating.

So, he was twenty-eight already?

From as early as I can remember, I grew up in an orphanage. But I never felt lacking in love; my experiences made me feel I lacked money.

In a desperate attempt, I sought out a fortune teller who told me that my luck would change when I turned nineteen.

And sure enough, that year, Gustave Watson, the wealthy heir, noticed me.

His mother handed me a five million dollars check, asking me to leave her son and promising to finance my studies abroad.

She said, "You both deserve better."

I didn't say a word, my tears falling to the floor.

No need for any further explanation from her, I took the money and left Gustave, leaving behind my shattered pride.

But none of this meant I didn't long for love. Gustave was my beacon of light, my destined benefactor.

However, the fortune teller said his true match would appear when he turned twenty-eight.

The longer you hold on, the harder it is to let go. Knowing it wouldn't end well for me, I chose to end the relationship quickly.

I never expected the cheerful boy to actually turn twenty-eight.

So, when would his true match appear? What kind of person would it be?

Would she resemble one of his previous girlfriends?

April sixth was a not-so-great day.

Lesley called me early in the morning. "Judy, you're not at the office by seven. Are you feeling unwell?"

Yes, it was that time of the month, and the cramps... anyone who's been through it would understand.

Curled up in bed, I replied weakly, "I'm fine, just planning to start work on time today. I'll be in by nine."

"Judy, is it your period?"

Hmm... why did she sound a bit excited?

I had severe cramps, which Lesley knew well, and my cycle had been irregular for the past six months, so I couldn't be sure of the exact date.

After confirming, Lesley said, "I knew it. The only thing that can bring down a strong woman is menstrual cramps."

It sounded like a compliment, but it felt odd.

"Judy, you know it's not normal to have such severe cramps, right?"

I was puzzled. "So?"

"So, I made an appointment for you at the hospital a while ago, and it's today!"

I was at a loss for words.

An hour and a half later, I was staring at the screen in the waiting room, dumbfounded.

Dr. Watson, Room three...

And below it, my name: Judy Steele, Number nineteen...

What was going on?

Wasn't Gustave a university professor?

How could he be at the clinic?

Could it be someone with the same name?

It couldn't be that much of a coincidence, right?

Lesley smiled sweetly and emphasized, "Dr. Watson is a specialist in women's health, and you have to book him a week in advance."

A week in advance?

Oh my goodness, had Lesley predicted I'd have menstrual cramps today?

I sincerely praised her. "You're like an angel sent from heaven, always looking out for me. But I suspect you have ulterior motives!"

She didn't hide her intentions.

Essentially, she admired Gustave, but he was very busy.

She was too shy to ask him out, so she found out from his social media that he held clinic hours every Wednesday morning.