Reunion after a long separation
Chapter 1
Seeing Liam again after five years was at my
best friend’s wedding.
He was the groom; I was a bridesmaid.
My best friend, Sarah, giggled, sharing their
love story with me.
“I saved him from a car accident, you know? I
heard he had a fiancée, but I whisked him
away overseas for treatment.”
“Pretty badass move, right?”
I didn’t hear a word Sarah said after that; my
ears were ringing.
Five years, almost two thousand sleepless
nights. The man I loved was hidden away by
my best friend for five whole years.
I bent over, gasping for air, my body shaking
uncontrollably.
Sarah noticed my pale face and helped me
L
into the restroom.
“Lily, what’s wrong? Is your depression acting
up again?” she asked gently.
For five years, I searched everywhere for
Liam, asking countless people, putting up
missing posters, even buying trending
searches.
Even his family gave up. Only I persisted.
Countless nights, I stood on the edge of
roads, trying to end this hopeless life.
But now, it’s all a joke.
Looking at the countless scars, old and new,
on my right wrist, my eyes burned, my heart
felt ripped apart.
Sarah sighed. “Are you thinking about your
fiancé again? Forget it, he’s probably dead by
now. I’ll set you up with one of Liam’s
friends.‘
As soon as she finished speaking, Liam
walked in, tall and handsome in a black suit
く
looking exactly as he did five years ago.
Our eyes met. He merely glanced at me
before straightening Sarah’s dress.
His groomsmen followed–his old friends,
most of whom I knew.
Their eyes held unspoken words when they
saw me.
Before, I could have told myself he might
have amnesia.
But his friends told me he remembered
everything.
He just didn’t love me anymore.
Sarah said quickly, “Honey, keep your friends.
tonight; let’s have some fun.” She winked at
- me.
Liam nodded casually, not giving me another
glance.
As if we’d never met..
I slowly closed my eyes. My heart felt
squeezed, then ripped out and thrown into a
<
I’ve never felt this much pain. I needed an
outlet.
I ran into the bathroom and slammed my head
against the wall, a dull thud followed by the
hot rush of blood.
My vision blurred. I slid down the wall, my
heart aching.
I banged my head against the wall again and
again, as if it was the only way to find
temporary release.
It hurt so much.
I curled up, a sharp pain spreading across my
chest.
Then, I laughed softly.
“Liam… you don’t want me anymore…
The wedding had started by the time I left the
bathroom. Sarah had found someone to
replace me as a bridesmaid.
I stood at the back, watching Sarah on the
stage, her smile radiant as she said. “I do.”
<
Liam solemnly knelt, placing a ring on her finger. A wave of jealousy washed over me.
I wanted to stop them, scream at Sarah for
stealing my fiancé, for hiding him, for making
me search for five years. I wanted to ask
Liam why he pretended not to know me, why
he didn’t look for me when he returned, why
everyone kept it from me.
I wanted to ruin this wedding.
But I didn’t.
I just sat in the corner and applauded when
they finished their vows.
I clapped loudly, drawing stares.
I didn’t care. When Liam looked at me, I met
his gaze.
Our eyes locked. My tears fell.
Liam’s brow furrowed slightly. He quickly
looked away, his dark eyes devoid of emotion.
I clenched my fists. I thought I might go
insane.
<
I texted him:
“Liam, I don’t want to wish you happy
marriage.”
“I curse you, I curse you to never get what
you want.”
Then, I laughed at my own foolishness. The
I
woman he loved was his wife. My curse was
meaningless.
I went home before the wedding ended.
Staying any longer, I feared I’d lose control.
Three years ago, when Liam’s news went
cold, I tried to kill myself.
i failed, and a neighbor found me and sent me
to the hospital.
When I woke up, Liam’s mother, tearful, held
my hand, urging me to live, to live for him.
But life without Liam was excruciating.
We met when we were six, fell in love in high.
school, and got our marriage license right
after college.
<
But he had a car accident on his way to get
it, disappearing without a trace.
I visited the police station countless times,
questioned everyone near the accident site,
but to no avail.
No one had seen him.
Now he’s back, but he doesn’t love me
anymore.
I fell into a restless sleep. When I woke up, I
checked my phone.
There were calls from Sarah and comforting
messages from Liam’s mother.
And a stark reply from Liam.
A single, cold word:
[Go away.]
I chuckled bitterly. My persistent feelings
were just a joke to him.
I isolated myself, plagued by insomnia. My
hair fell out in clumps. I didn’t leave the house.
for ten days, and I lost a significant amount
く
of weight.
Sarah found me when she couldn’t reach me,
Liam behind her.
I hadn’t showered in ten days, and I reeked.
But Sarah didn’t care. She hugged me and
dragged me to the hospital. She knew what
she feared.
I calmly pulled away, my voice polite and
distant. “I’m fine, thank you.”
I didn’t know how to face Sarah, whether to
resent or bless her. I couldn’t do either, so I
instinctively wanted to distance myself.
She didn’t mind my sudden coldness,
assuming I was just upset.
