When Love Breaks by jack

I held my phone, and my thoughts were suddenly dragged back to the distant. past. Fragments, both unfamiliar and familiar, surged into my memory.

“Gregory Ford! You promised to come over for breakfast today, and your overslept again!!”

“Gregory, it hurts…ugh! Give me a piggyback ride, now!”

“Gregory, everyone says we’re engaged. What’s an engagement?”

“Gregory, pick that one, the big apple!”

“Gregory Ford…”

“How is being punctual considered late?”

“Why did you run so fast? Hop on.”

“I’ll marry you, that’s what.”

“Alright, alright, little girl.”

“Lilliana, have some manners!”

I burst into tears, saying, “Gregory, I don’t have Grandpa anymore. Grandma

says everyone leaves, no one can stay with me forever.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

He soothed me patiently, “I will, Lily. I’ll always be with you.”

Blinking away tears, I said, “Gregory, today you’re like a good person.”

He lifted his chin proudly, replying, “I always have been.”

Childhood memories, récent events, and the devastating news of Gregory’s death intertwined in my mind. I pressed my hand against my chest, but my face remained dry.

“Jane…” Mark froze, then quickly comforted me, “The departed are gone.

Dwelling on it will only harm your health.”

I was silent for a long time before murmuring, “I remembered…”

But remembering only made accepting his death harder.

Mark asked, “What?”

“I remembered a lot of things…”

Hearing this, Mark urgently summoned the doctor, who, after an examination, preliminarily concluded that the accident had stimulated my nervous system, causing my memory to return.

It was then I realized. “We’re not in our home country?”

“Right, we’re in Country F.”

Mark explained, “Bryant’s network is too extensive back home. After getting you to the hospital and ensuring your condition was stable, I brought you to Country F. I thought we’d wait until you woke up so you could decide for yourself.”

“Thank you…”

I was grateful for his thorough care. The last place I wanted to be was anywhere near Bryant. The painful memories would continuously haunt me.

Soon after, the Ford family held a grand funeral for Gregory. Mark asked if I wanted to return for the funeral. I refused.

Gregory couldn’t be dead. He never broke a promise to me.

As my health improved, the doctor said I could be discharged anytime.

When Mark came back after handling the discharge procedures, I hesitated before speaking, “I might… not plan to return home for now.”

I was done with people controlling my life. They could believe I’m dead for all I care.

“Really?”

Surprisingly, Mark didn’t object. He sat beside my bed, “I have some information I hesitated to share with you.”

“Go on.”

“There might be more to Gregory’s death. The night of the lab explosion, a shadowy group booked a flight from Vista Town to Country F.”

“You mean,” I looked at him, asking, “Gregory might be in Country F?”

“If he’s still alive, it’s a possibility.”

“That’s perfect…”

I pressed my lips together, “I can look for clues about him in Country F.”

“Yes, you can.”

Mark handed me the warm water, “Jane, I respect all your choices.”