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Aisha's POV

Three years had passed since our wedding day. Our married life seemed perfect. Every day, Sean made sure I felt safe and loved. He was attentive, always waking me with a gentle kiss on the forehead.

In every morning routine, he would make sure I took my medications and always checked on my condition as if I were something very fragile—a treasure to be carefully guarded.

"Your heartbeat is my greatest gift," he would say every time I asked why he was so caring. His words were a reminder I always looked forward to, a reminder that I was valuable and worthy of love.

I smiled every time I heard it. This simple happiness provided an invaluable comfort. Yet, in the corner of my heart, there was a question that always troubled me.

What exactly did he see in me? I could never fully shake off that insecurity.

That night, I lay awake in the dark. The sun had set, and our room was enveloped in silence. I stared at the ceiling and reminisced about the past. Many memories swirled in my mind, memories of the struggles I had endured.

I still remembered when the doctor told me I needed a heart transplant. Those words haunted me, and I still recalled how frightened I was, feeling like no one would want to accept someone like me—someone who had been on the brink of death.

Yet, Sean came into my life like a light. He not only loved me but also accepted all my flaws without hesitation. Or at least, that’s what I thought. As time went on, I began to feel that something was amiss.

A few weeks before our third wedding anniversary, Sean started to seem different. There was a change in him. Sometimes I caught him staring into space, his gaze vacant, and the smile that used to be bright now looked slightly faded.

He still loved me the same way, but something had shifted in his demeanor. Worry began to envelop my heart.

I tried to dismiss those doubts.

"He’s just tired," I thought. "He’s just busy with work."

But even though I tried to reassure myself, that feeling of unease continued to haunt me.

The night before our anniversary, he came home later than usual. I greeted him with a smile, but he only gave me a brief kiss on the forehead, as if the distance between us was widening.

"Tomorrow is a special day," I said enthusiastically. "I have something planned."

He gave a faint smile, but there was something unusual about it.

"I do too," he replied tersely.

However, the look in his eyes suggested something different. A deep concern lingered in my mind, as if there was something he was hiding. I could feel it.

On the morning of our anniversary, I woke up with high hopes. I wore my favorite dress, a simple white dress that always made me feel beautiful.

I prepared everything perfectly, planning the day with love. But fate had other plans. The day that was supposed to be the happiest became the beginning of the end of everything.

After breakfast, I saw Sean staring out the window. There was something heavy on his shoulders.

"Sean, are you okay?" I asked, trying to break the tension between us.

He sighed, then looked at me with eyes full of doubt.

"Sweetheart, there’s something I need to tell you," he said softly.

My heart raced, waiting for an explanation that could change everything.

"I... I got a job offer out of town," he continued. "It’s a great opportunity for my career, but… it means I have to go."

Pain and confusion enveloped my heart.

"How long will you be gone?" I asked, struggling to hold back tears. "Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

He shook his head, looking regretful.

"I didn’t want to worry you. I also didn’t want you to feel burdened. But I can’t pass up this opportunity."

Those words felt like a harsh slap. I wanted to support him, but my heart felt shattered.

"But… what about us? Our marriage? Everything we’ve built together?"

"This isn’t about us. It’s about the future," he said, his voice beginning to tremble.

"I promise I’ll be back as soon as possible. We can get through this."

His words didn’t provide any comfort. In my heart, I felt like all the dreams we had built were crumbling.

"But I need you here, Sean. I can’t do this without you."

"Sweetheart, I will always love you," he replied.

Yet, there was an increasing distance between us. The loss felt more real, and I didn’t know how to face it.

After that conversation, our anniversary felt bland. We were supposed to celebrate the love we had built, but now there was only sadness and uncertainty. I felt as if I were trapped in darkness, losing the light Sean had once given me.

Days passed, and Sean left to pursue his dreams. My life felt empty without his presence. The space in our apartment seemed silent, surrounded only by beautiful memories that now felt painful. Every corner of the room reminded me of the laughter and happiness that once existed.

I tried to distract myself with work, but every time I returned home, loneliness would ambush me. My phone rarely rang, and messages from him came only occasionally.

Worry began to creep into me.

Was he okay?

Did he miss me like I missed him?

I sat on the sofa, staring at our photos together. There were happy smiles on our faces, but now it all felt like painful memories. I missed his presence, his soothing voice, and the way he looked at me as if I were everything.

When I tried to contact him, there were times he didn’t answer. My anxiety deepened, and I wondered if he was truly happy in his new place. There were moments when I felt trapped in jealousy and uncertainty.

Every time I tried to communicate, there was always a response that made me doubt even more.

"I'm busy, sweetheart. I’ll call you later."

Those words felt thin, like hope that was beginning to fade.

Months passed, and I began to adapt to life without him, but my heart still longed for his presence. Loss had taught me many things. I learned to appreciate every moment but also realized how precious the love we had was.

After six months, Sean finally returned. The moment felt tense and full of hope. I waited at the airport, my heart racing as I saw him step out from the arrival gate. He looked more mature, but there was something different in his gaze.

"Sean!"

I shouted joyfully, running toward him.

He smiled, but his smile was not as bright as before.

We hugged tightly, but there was a distance between us that was hard to explain.

"You look different," I said after we released the embrace. "What happened out there?"

"Everything is fine," he replied, but there was an uncertain tone in his voice.

My worries resurfaced, and I felt that there was something he was hiding.