"Don't be difficult. Don't read into this."
And then he left without looking back.
The lock clicked shut, and my mind went white.
Three months ago, I'd come down with acute appendicitis. The pain woke me at dawn, so severe I couldn't sit up.
I grabbed Morris's hand and begged him to take me to the hospital. He shook me off.
"Regina, I have to travel with my advisor today. This project is important."
"I'll call my mom for you. Just lie down and wait."
I didn't know when I'd passed out. By the time I came to, I was already in the hospital.
My mother was complaining:
"You just had surgery and he still has to go on a business trip? Morris is absolutely unbelievable!"
"Mom, stop. I'm fine, aren't I?"
"Morris has always been like that, completely devoted to his research. So focused, so dedicated. That's what I fell for in the first place."
Back then, I was still busy making excuses for him, forgetting that I was the one who was sick, the one being hurt and ignored.
My heart seized like a fist had closed around it, crushing everything inside my chest.
I dragged myself to the fridge and took out the cake I'd bought for myself.