Chapter 7
I took out the cake, lit the candles, and watched the flickering light before gently blowing them out. I picked up a piece of cake and ate it bite by bite. It was sweet, Jack’s favorite rose flavor.
“That damn Jack, is he with Lily again? Are you okay?”
Rose’s message came with a photo below. Lily was sweetly smearing cake on Jack’s face. Jack’s face wasn’t visible, but he didn’t dodge.
I put down the phone and continued eating the cake. Tears fell uncontrollably, and I cried loudly. Who said cake is sweet? It’s clearly bitter and astringent, hard to swallow.
I think this is the last time fate is helping me, to harden my heart completely.
“Brother is with me today; he doesn’t have time to come back, okay.”
A message from Lily using Jack’s phone. Because the next second, a photo came through, Lily leaning on Jack, smiling brightly. And a sentence: “I’m pregnant. It’s Jack’s. It happened when he was taking care of me in the hospital.”
Pain wracked through my body, and I gasped. The phone fell to the floor, and I sat on the window seat. Until the sunlight touched my face, warm and bright, I slowly got up. I realized I had cried myself to sleep.
The cake on the table remained untouched. My heart sank to the bottom. He really didn’t come back; he really spent the night with Lily.
“Julia, I’m back.”
It was Jack. I ignored him and threw the cake into the trash.
“I haven’t eaten yet.” Jack was angry.
“It’s been a while, it’s spoiled, can’t eat it.”
“Julia, are you angry?”
“You’re overthinking. I’m tired. Going to rest.”
Jack nodded, “Then I’ll call in for you with Bob.”
“No need, I’ve already done it.”
I shook my head at him.
“Jack, can I hug you?”
I didn’t give Jack a chance to refuse and hugged him. Just three seconds, then I let go.
“Jack, do you have anything to tell me?”
Jack looked at me for a moment and shook his head.
I nodded, giving a bitter smile, and turned back to my room, tears falling once more. This is the last time, the last time I’ll see you. The long chase is coming to an end. Isn’t it supposed to be freeing? So why does my heart feel shrouded in a gray mist?
<
“Hello, Doctor, I’ve made up my mind. In three days, send me off.”
I said and felt deflated. I should have a good sleep and start sorting my things and memories tomorrow.
Holding the only photo of Jack and me, I curled up on the bed, wanting to talk but not knowing who to turn to.
The phone rang; it was a message from Jack.
“Julia, I have a business trip for two days, wait for me to come back.”
“Okay.” It took a long time before I typed a single word.
