After the Last Autumn

The Woman I Loved With My Entire Soul

Inside the office, Morgan suddenly muttered, "June, did you deliberately hide it from Ian because you're afraid Ian will be heartbroken after finding out?"

June paused briefly.

"Of course not. It just happened to coincide with the base's quarterly inspection period back then. Ian is one of the technical department's core staff.

"If I'd let him go home for the funeral, the round trip would've taken at least half a month. Not only would it delay the project, but once he came back, I'd still have to comfort him. Too much trouble."

At that moment, I nearly broke apart.

June had hidden my parents' deaths from me. She had even cruelly stolen away my final chance to see them one last time.

And it had not been because she was afraid I would be devastated. She simply didn't want me leaving and affecting the project schedule at the base.

Back then, I had turned down a million-dollar annual salary offer. Ignoring my parents' objections, I insisted on following her to the desert.

We fought so badly over it that I completely fell out with my family.

During my first year away from home, my mother sent me countless messages.

'Ian, is it cold over there? The temperature dropped recently, so make sure you bundle up.'

'Ian, are you coming home for New Year's? I made all your favorite dishes. Don't stay angry at your father and me anymore.'

'Your dad never says it out loud, but he misses you too.'

I saw every single message, but I never replied.

At the time, I was too stubborn, too full of pride. I kept thinking that if I didn't go home, then so be it. After all, wherever June was, that was home to me.

Later, the messages became fewer and fewer. And by the time I finally wanted to contact my parents and took the initiative to call them, both their numbers had already been disconnected.

I thought it was because I had ignored them for too long. I thought my parents were truly angry and no longer wanted to acknowledge me as their son.

For a long time after that, I stayed depressed, always hiding somewhere alone to wipe away my tears in secret.

When June found out, she pulled me into her arms and comforted me gently. "Honey, don't be sad. Things are getting better for us now.

"Once work calms down, I'll go back with you so you can apologize properly to your parents. Blood's thicker than water, after all. You're their son. They'll definitely forgive you."

Back then, I leaned against her shoulder, feeling warm and guilty all at once. I thought that once this busy period passed, I would go home and make up for everything I owed my parents.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine they were already gone. Even less could I have imagined that the woman I had loved with my entire soul had never deserved to be called human.

My trembling hand reached for the office door handle. But at the very last second, all my strength drained away.

Now that I already knew every answer, what was left to ask? Besides, the people inside were faces I never wanted to see again for the rest of my life.

Ultimately, I let go of the handle, dragged my suitcase behind me, and turned to leave the office building.

After reaching downstairs, I was still worrying about missing the last bus when someone suddenly called out to me from behind.

I turned around—it was Olivia, the nurse from the medical station.

Seeing the suitcase in my hand, she looked surprised. "Ian, where are you going?"

My voice came out hoarse. "Oh… I'm planning to take a long vacation. I booked a flight and wanted to get away for a while."

Hearing that, Olivia glanced toward the distant bus stop and pursed her lips. "The last bus had already left. Can you still make your flight like this?"

I sighed helplessly. "Probably not. I'll have to figure out how to reschedule the ticket."

Olivia immediately stepped forward and patted my shoulder. "My boyfriend happens to be heading into town tonight. He should still be at the parking lot right now. Want me to ask him to give you a ride on the way?"

Naturally, I was not about to refuse that kind of luck.

Ten minutes later, a sedan stopped in front of me, and Olivia's boyfriend leaned out the driver's window. "Hop in, Mr. Crowe! If we leave now, you'll still make it to the airport in time."

Very soon, I left the base behind in their car.

As I looked at the place where I had spent the last five years, I realized there was not even the slightest trace of attachment left in my heart anymore.

The wind outside the window still blew relentlessly across the desert. But somehow, against my face, it no longer felt so cold.

Leaning back against the seat, I watched the lights of the base grow farther and farther away in the rearview mirror. The corners of my lips slowly curled upward.

'June, for the rest of our lives, let's never see each other again.'