Suddenly, I felt so tired. My knees gave way and I fell before I could stop myself. Just before I lost consciousness, I saw Alexei running toward me, catching me firmly in his arms.
When I opened my eyes again, everything still felt strange. It felt as if what I’d seen before I fainted had only been a dream.
I could hear my mother was speaking to Alexei nearby. “Do you really have to be this cruel? Emilia is my daughter too. I just can’t bring myself to do this.”
“Mom, we’ve finally made it through. Please, stop clinging to the past. When I married Camille, I promised I’d let go and live a good life with her. I’ve already wronged Emilia once—I can’t betray Camille too.”
My mother sighed in resignation. “Maybe… that’s for the best,” she said softly. “But Alex… please take care of yourself too.”
Their voices grew fainter and fainter until I could no longer hear them. Cold tears slipped into my palms. I wiped them away—along with my broken heart.
No one came to see me in the days that followed.
Alexei's assistant, Alfred, brought me the newest model of phone and patiently taught me how to use it. Then, as I stared at the empty contact list, I realized I had no one to call.
Everything I remembered belonged to the past. I was the only one trapped in this strange new future.
The fight of that night meant the world to me. But to them, it was just a small, forgotten incident from ten years ago.
No one cared anymore.
I had no interest in the brilliance of this future. Sadly, I had no way to return to the past.
After a long deep thoughts, I asked Alfred to take me to my father’s grave.
As I stood before the mound of earth, I poured out all my grief and pain—to the only one who might still listen.
“Dad, I’m sorry. I swear I won’t fight with Alexei anymore. I won’t make you or anyone angry. Please, come back. Please, all of you, come back to me.”
“You said that when my baby is born, you’d be the one to give him a name. You said that when I came home, you’d cook your best beef brisket just for me.”
“You can’t break your promise like Alexei did. You’re my family—the closest family I ever have in this world. Why did you leave me too?”
Light rain began to fall, pattering softly on the ground. A moment later, an umbrella appeared above my head.
My heart trembled. I looked up with hope—but it was only Alfred.