The next morning, she packed her bags and took off on a trip abroad.
I sent her countless messages, trying to make peace, but she didn't reply to any.
Now, looking at her, acting so nonchalant and even smug about making me upset, I felt disappointed and heartbroken.
...
Of course, she remembered what day it was yesterday. After all, she had agreed to return just three days before the wedding.
"Alright, I'm finally back, so stop sulking," she said as she reached for my hand.
...
I dodged again.
She was unhappy. "I've finally got my mood right to come back and be with you, and this is how you treat me?"
Just as I was about to say something, my phone in my pocket rang.
When I answered, my mother's anxious voice rang out. She said that my father had fainted and was in critical condition.
"I'll be right there!"
I immediately became anxious, and without paying attention to my girlfriend, I turned around, got in the car, and headed for the hotel.
I took my dad to the hospital, and the doctors pushed him into the emergency room.
My mother sat on a bench in the corridor, sobbing.
"Your girlfriend went too far.
"Your father has been waiting his whole life to see you get married and start a family.
"And what did she do? She disappeared on the wedding day, and it made your father so angry that he coughed up blood…"
My mother held my hand as she spoke.
"Listen to me, son, break up with her!"
I was silent for a long time before finally saying, "Okay."
For five years, I had been bending over backward to keep our relationship steady.
But I was exhausted.
So, I chose to let go.
I took care of my father in the hospital for three days.
It wasn't until three days later, when the doctor said his condition was stable, that I found time to go home.
As soon as I walked in, my girlfriend stormed up to me and slapped me hard across the face.
"Harvey Keller, was that really necessary? All I did was go on a trip, and you responded with this silent treatment!
"If you don't want to be with me anymore, then let's break up!"
This wasn't the first time she had threatened me with a breakup.
In the past, whenever she said it, I would always back down, doing everything I could to win her back.
But now, I didn't see the point.
I agreed without hesitation. "Let's break up then."
She looked at me in disbelief. "Say that again?"
"You want to break up; I'll grant your wish."
I tried to force a smile but failed, so I gave up.