When His Love Is Too Late, My Love Has Gone

I pushed open the door of the ward weakly. Brianna was sitting by the bed, peeling apples for Murphy. The intimate scene hurt my eyes, like a dagger to my heart. Murphy's mother saw me coming in and nodded at me awkwardly.

"Mom, I just completed the discharge procedures for Murphy," I said, trying to maintain my composure.

"Marisca, look at this..." Murphy's mother glanced at her son, who was lost in his amnesia, hesitant to speak further.

***

Back at our home, my wedding photo with Murphy was still hanging in the living room, a stark reminder of what we once had. Yet now, he stood there with his first love, Brianna.

"Murphy, you are really married," Brianna said, biting her lower lip, as if she was trying her best to endure something. She huddled beside Murphy, seeking his reassurance.

Murphy stared at the wedding photo with a gloomy face and did not answer. His silence was deafening.

"Brianna, I'll ask the driver to take you home first," he finally said.

After sending Brianna away, Murphy leaned back on the sofa, exhausted. "I don't remember what you said, but I trust my intuition. Whether I have amnesia or not, I will never fall in love with you, let alone marry you."

"Murphy, we were truly in love," I said, my voice trembling. "There were no other factors. Look at the photos of our trips together." I anxiously opened my phone, wanting to show him the photos, but he pushed me away angrily.

"Stay away from me!" he shouted.

I fell to the ground, my phone rolling away, its screen shattering into pieces. "Murphy, what do you want to do to believe me? My parents can testify."

"Who knows what despicable means you used? Brianna and I were about to confirm our relationship. How could she suddenly go abroad to study?" His voice was filled with anger and suspicion.

Everyone in our small circle knew that Brianna had left him to go abroad. I couldn't understand why he didn't remember or question it. Did Murphy really hate me so much? Was the love we shared all my wishful thinking?

"How could I use any means on you? I just love you sincerely!" I cried out, my voice breaking.

Accompanied by the deafening sound of the door closing, I closed my eyes in pain. Since that last unpleasant parting, Murphy had not returned home. I called and texted him, but each attempt was rejected one by one. Eventually, he blocked me entirely.

***

I was absent-minded in the hospital, thinking about the bits and pieces of Murphy in the past few years and looking through old photos from time to time. I couldn't help but cry. Remembering that I couldn't just sit and wait for things to improve on their own, I decided to take action.

Murphy's condition might suddenly improve one day, I told myself.

So, I took a day off and cooked a table of his favorite dishes at home.

When I arrived at his office, I was met with an awkward reception. "I'm sorry, Miss Marisca, Mr. Murphy said... if you come, just say he's not in the company." The receptionist, someone I knew, looked uncomfortable.

I shook my head silently. "Then I'll wait for him here."

I sat in the lobby on the first floor. Many senior executives who knew me came in and out. They met my eyes but didn't dare to say hello, quickly moving on.

Finally, as the workday ended, the crowd dispersed and Murphy strode out of the elevator, followed by the ever-smiling Brianna. Brianna seemed to be talking to him about something happy, her face animated and youthful. Compared to her vibrant energy, I felt even more inferior and worn out.

Murphy looked better than I had seen him in a while. His complexion had improved and after shaving his head for the surgery, his hair had grown back into a neat crew cut, making him look colder and more distant. He only smiled when Brianna was talking to him.

I didn't want to miss this opportunity to see him, so I ran over. "Murphy!"

"What are you doing here?" Murphy and Brianna saw me, their smiles freezing instantly. I felt like an unwelcome intruder, the third party breaking them up.

"I'm on leave today and I made your favorite dishes. Can you go home tonight?" My tone was almost humble as I carefully observed Murphy's reaction.

"Murphy, didn't we agree to have French food tonight?" Brianna blinked her big eyes, pulling his sleeve and whispering to him.

Murphy gave her a gentle and doting look, a look I had never seen before. Even though we were married, he had never treated me like this. It hurt to realize that he had never shown me that kind of affection.

"If you show up at my company again in the future, don't blame me for arranging someone to throw you out. I will never go back to your so-called home. The divorce agreement is being drafted and someone will contact you after it's finished."

"Divorce agreement?" The words felt like a punch to the gut. I stared at him, disbelief and pain washing over me.