Chapter 12
Tears fell to the floor, blending with Joseph’s quiet sobs.
I used to stand on tiptoe to gently wipe his tears away, but now I’m just an observer, witnessing the emotions swirling in his reddened eyes.
He clutched my wrist with a shaky hand, his fingers felt hot. “Emerson, I’ll go to England with you, I’ll go anywhere with you! I don’t want anything else other than you!”
This brought to mind his earlier indifference when he once remarked that long–distance relationships are too troublesome.
Now he’s willing to sacrifice his position at the research institute. which he holds so dear, and ready to sever all ties for me.
But the nights I spent alone, the video calls he abruptly ended, now all transformed into a dull ache, slowly spreading through my chest.
I turned my head, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Don’t do this. Joseph.”
He suddenly pulled me into his embrace, his suit soaked with tear stains.
“Emerson, I know I was wrong! You talked about us getting a cat together. We could go abroad and rent a house with a garden. We could have both a cat and a dog. I’ll make breakfast for you every morning, take you to school, and walk the dog with you…”
I suddenly remembered the day he first learned I planned to study
abroad after graduation. He angrily tore up my documents and said. “A woman with too much ambition will lose a man.”
I shoved him away, my nails leaving red indentations on his wrists.
“It’s over, Joseph. You wanted freedom, and now no one will hold you back ”
“I won’t allow it!”
His voice grew sharp, sounding like an injured animal.
“Emerson. please. I don’t want a divorce. We promised each other we’d be together forever. A minute less doesn’t count as forever! You said you’d always love me, so where is that love? Where did it go? Emerson, we also agreed to watch the World Cup together, you promised me that!”
I stared into his bloodshot eyes and suddenly felt a wave of absurdity.
“But Joseph. I remember you and Hailey went to the last World Cup together.”
As I pulled my hand away from his. I heard my own voice, strangely
calm.
“Joseph, our story ended long ago when you kept pushing me away.
“You asked me where love is, but honestly, it’s me who should be asking you.
“Who did you give your love to, and where did it go?”
Charte 11
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