“How are you feeling?” Matthew asked while breakfast was being served on the table. Allison said she felt like eating oatmeal today, so that was what she was eating right now.“I’m feeling okay,” she answered. “It was nice to go outside.”“That’s good,” Matthew said, the relief evident in his words. Her body was delicate right now, and her immune system was weak as well. He needed to observe her condition carefully each day so that she would be healthy enough for the next treatment phase. “What about sleep? I forgot to ask if you slept well last night.”“I slept enough.” Allison didn’t bring up the fact that she slept two hours lesser than she was supposed to. She had been too worried thinking about her slip-up as well as the silliness of the Miracle Well’s concept.Not to mention that he knew about Abigail now…Matthew seemed satisfied with that answer and continued to eat. The two of them had breakfast in comfortable silence, with the only sound coming from using their utensils.“By
Of all the things that Matthew had expected this week, it had never been this one.After acquiring the results of the treatment, the doctor brought him and Allison some bad news. It seemed that the therapy didn’t have much of an effect on the remaining cancer cells.So they decided to try a new therapy on her tomorrow, hoping that it would bring positive results.“It’s still very experimental,” the doctor had explained. “We’ll have the result in a few days.”Later that night, Allison asked him to sit with her on the balcony. She looked more tired than usual, possibly because of the therapy that she went through a few days ago.There was no trace of glumness in her expression though, something that Matthew couldn’t help but notice.Then again, he also noticed that before her doctor’s appointment that day, Allison didn’t seem so anxious. Instead, she went forward with determination, as though believing that this was her last step to recovery.“How are you feeling?” Matthew asked as he t
“Is there something on your mind tonight, Lise?” Matthew asked carefully. He didn’t want to jump to any conclusions just yet. “I’m not sure about this, but I feel like there’s something you want to tell me. Is there?”Allison stilled for a second before eventually nodding. “I’ve been thinking a lot, Mattie,” she said slowly. “About what will happen once the treatment goes well. What I’ll do from then on.”“I see…” Matthew said, letting his voice drift off, silently encouraging her to continue.“I know you won’t be there for me anymore, that this is all just a temporary arrangement,” Allison said. “After going through treatment a number of times, my mind became clearer, and I think I’ve become well enough physically and mentally to come to a decision.”Matthew still had no idea where this was leading, but he kept silent, not wanting to interrupt her.“As I said earlier, I want to rekindle my passion for life. I used to immerse myself in working at the lab, right? Though I’m not sure I
“I should find a job or do freelance work online in the meantime,” Allison muttered as she scrolled through her phone. “I think I’m a little rusty when it comes to writing, so I’ll have to start working on that soon. For now, I’m fine with editing and proofreading. Maybe some popular sites are hiring right now…”A day had passed since the treatment. Allison was becoming chipper, and there was an inner glow to her that Matthew couldn’t deny. She even surprised him earlier after breakfast by claiming that she wanted to go shopping with him.“Shopping?” he had repeated when she brought it up. “You want to go outside? But you just finished with your new therapy yesterday…”“Then… can you do me a favor and buy me a new one instead? I’m fine with just one dress,” Allison told him with an imploring tone. “I’ll have to start looking for a new apartment afterwards. But first, I need a job.”A new apartment? A job?Matthew smiled wryly. It seemed that she was starting to plan her new life witho
A few days had passed, and now, today was probably the day when Allison would receive the results. Even though the doctor didn’t specify what date, it was clear that they would be receiving a call or message within this week.Matthew was anxious. If the treatment didn’t go well, it would spell the worst circumstance for Allison. She would have to be hospitalized again and go through several treatments. Worst case scenario, she would succumb to the cancer—No. No! That wasn’t going to happen. Not on his watch.He would find the best doctor in the entire world to treat her. He would do everything as long as she would get better.She had to get better! She had suffered enough already. She still had a lot of precious years left in her life that she needed to live.However, unlike him, Allison was as calm as ever. It was as if she already knew that it would be successful. The confidence in her stride and the relaxation on her features showed as much.He didn’t know how she could do that. U
Matthew’s head was whirling with questions, and he felt like he forgot how to breathe.What kind of development was this?How easy for her to say that. To say that they should let go of each other, and for good.It sparked something inside of Matthew. Something akin to anger.“How can you say something like that?” he said quietly, trying to control his emotions. “Why should we stay separated from now on? You don’t want to keep in touch with me anymore, is that it?”Allison slowly lowered the clothes in her hand. She was staring at him with something firm in her eyes, and her expression was solemn. “That’s correct,” she said flatly. “Isn’t it the same for you?”Matthew kept his anger in check for a moment. “What?”“Your company needs you, the CEO. Yet you’re here taking care of me, your ex-wife. Once the media gets wind of this, not only will the company get affected, but your girlfriend, Lily, will get involved, too. I don’t want to be in the spotlight anymore, either. It’s not a win-
Matthew felt the heaviness in his heart grow stronger as he packed his bags. He looked at his surroundings, wondering when exactly he had grown used to this place. He hadn’t even stayed here for at least half a year, but it felt like he’d been here forever.The thought of leaving this place felt strange, like everything had just been a dream. A dream of seeing Allison again and taking care of her, making her feel that she wasn’t alone. A warm dream filled with sadness and anxiety, but one that he didn’t regret.After his argument with Allison, he decided to leave. It hurt to think that she had all those thoughts in her head, that she was still suffering even with his presence.Just when he thought that he could provide her with some comfort, it turned out that he was wrong. He hadn’t been comforting her at all, it seemed.But what about those grateful looks and words that she sent towards him? What about those warm ‘thank you’ words and that gentle, reassuring squeeze of his hand? Wha
Allison watched from the window of the guest bedroom as Matthew paused in his steps to take out his phone. He pressed the device against his ear, talking with a warm smile.There was only one reason he would speak to someone with a smile like that.He was probably talking to Lily.He must be very happy right now.Allison felt the bitterness pooling in her gut, but it was quickly washed over with a tide of overwhelming sadness. This was her decision, and she would stand by it until the end.She continued to watch as Matthew talked on the phone while going to the car. She stared as the car door closed before the vehicle sped away.And then all remains of her mask slipped away, like water running down her face and dripping down the floor.“Goodbye…” she whispered as she pulled away from the window and went towards her bedroom.‘Now, I don’t need to put up an act anymore,’ she thought as she stood before the mirror inside the room. ‘This was the worst.’It had been the most difficult deci