Choose Pain Over Love

The pain from the bone ring severing the bond was excruciating. It was so overwhelming that I passed out.

By the time I opened my eyes again, it was already noon the next day.

I pushed my sore, weak body out of bed and got ready to head downstairs to grab a bite. However, the sight in the living room made me freeze.

The once luxurious and spotless villa was now in complete disarray. It was also eerily silent, as though all signs of life had been wiped away.

Yesterday's cake and leftover food still littered the table, while the balloons and streamers lay scattered on the floor. It was as if the lively celebration had never happened—only desolation remained.

Instinctively, I called out for the servants a few times, but no one answered. Typically, they should've already been cleaning at this hour.

A chill I couldn't explain crept into my heart. After hurrying to the study, I saw its door wide open, and it was completely empty inside.

Chester's room was the same way too. His neatly arranged clothes and the toys he would leave around carelessly were all gone.

With trembling hands, I dialed Ethan's number.

The phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered. I could hear noise in the background along with the faint sound of Chester's and Angelina's laughter.

"What is it?" Ethan asked.

His voice held a trace of irritation, as though my call was an unwelcome intrusion.

I gripped the phone tightly and used every ounce of strength I had to keep my voice steady. "Where are you?"

"We moved," he answered casually. "Angelina likes the villa by Silvermoon Lake. The environment here is nicer, and it's better for Chester too. We shifted here first thing this morning."

My voice cracked. "Why didn't you tell me?"

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. Then, Ethan explained in a matter-of-fact tone. "Weren't you sleeping really soundly yesterday? You looked exhausted, so we didn't wake you. Besides, it's not like you had anything to do. Just take a cab and come over yourself."

Before I could respond, he abruptly hung up.

My phone clattered to the floor.

I stood there in a daze, feeling as though the floor beneath me had vanished and was unable to hold me up anymore.

They were gone. They moved, and not a single one of them told me about it.

After five years, I thought I had long grown used to Ethan's indifference and coldness. But I never imagined he could go this far.

I went back to my room, opened my suitcase, and began to pack my things. Just then, my phone rang again. It was Ethan.

"Why aren't you here yet? Chester's whining for the pancakes you make. Hurry up and come make them for him," he demanded.

Ethan's tone was as casual as ever. It was as though I hadn't been left behind and was just naturally expected to obey whenever called.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Fine. I was leaving anyway, so this would be the last time.

"Send me the address," I said quietly.

After following the address Ethan sent, I took a cab to the new villa by Silvermoon Lake.

When I opened the door, the first thing I saw was the three pairs of neatly arranged slippers in the entryway. Placed side by side were a pair of pink women's slippers, a pair of blue men's slippers, and a tiny pair of children's slippers.

The shoe cabinet was full. There was no space left for me.

A brand-new family portrait hung on the living room wall. Ethan, Chester, and Angelina were all smiling brightly in the photo. I wasn't in it.

The air held traces of Angelina's usual perfume. Her cashmere shawl was draped over the sofa. On the coffee table was a fashion magazine, laid open to where she had left off reading it.

Every inch of this place carried traces of Angelina. It felt warm and harmonious.

I stood at the doorway quietly, taking it all in. It was as though I had walked into a world that had absolutely nothing to do with me.