Goodbye Means Never Again

At 10:00 pm, Justine was curled beneath the covers, wrapped in layer after layer. Even so, she was unable to stop the creeping chill that climbed up her limbs. Her head throbbed with fever. Heat and chills rolled through her body in waves, leaving her dazed and shivering.

At some point, she passed out. She didn't know when she fell asleep, and she wasn't sure when she woke up.

Eventually, she stumbled out of bed and tried to pour herself some water. But her hand gave out. The kettle slipped from her grasp and clattered on the floor, sending scalding water splashing across her feet and legs.

The pain jolted her into momentary alertness.

Instinctively, she turned toward the bathroom and fumbled to turn on the cold water, but as soon as she opened the tap, the world spun violently. Her body gave out, and she collapsed into the tub.

The last thought that flickered through her foggy mind was, "Is this really how it ends?"

But fate wasn't quite ready to let go of Justine. She woke up in a hospital bed, dazed and blinking against the sterile white lights. There was a brief surge of relief—she was alive.

But the moment of grace was short-lived. Because the first thing she saw was Noah standing in the doorway, his jaw clenched and his eyes filled with fury. He stormed toward her without a word.

Without a glance at her pale face, he grabbed her by the collar and snapped, "What the hell is wrong with you? What are you doing? You think faking a breakdown is going to win you some pity now?"

Justine coughed violently. She had only just regained consciousness, and her fever hadn't broken. His grip on her sent her into a coughing fit so violent her lips turned pale and the rims of her eyes reddened.

But Noah only saw what he wanted to see and barked, "Don't pull this crap on me. You might've fooled my parents back then, but I see right through you."

When her coughing finally eased, Justine shoved his hand away. Her voice was low and hoarse, each word deliberate. "I'm not looking for pity. I walked four hours in a downpour yesterday, from the graveyard to the city. I was exhausted and burning up. That's why I collapsed. If I had a choice, I'd rather your attention never land on me again."

She had already suffered enough because of him.

Noah froze. His hand fell away, and something flickered in his eyes. "You… You walked back?"

She thought, "What does it matter now?"

Justine pulled her gown back into place and lay down again, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

At that moment, Gavin burst into the ward, his voice sharp with irritation. "Dad! Why are you still talking to this freak? Ms. Gilbert's been waiting forever!"

He glared at Justine like she was some filthy intruder ruining their perfect little family. "You couldn't get a ride? What, are you too dumb to use a phone? You're faking it. I've seen the characters on TV dramas do this exact thing. You're disgusting."

Noah instinctively felt that Gavin had gone too far, but instead of facing the guilt gnawing at his conscience, he leaned into his son's version of the truth. With a scoff, he said, "Justine, I really underestimated you."

From the hallway, Hazel appeared. She leaned weakly against the doorframe and whispered breathily, "Noah, maybe I should just get a cab and head home... Justine doesn't look good."

As she spoke, her body gave a theatrical sway, like she was about to faint right then and there.

Noah rushed forward and caught her just before she collapsed, his expression full of concern. "If you're dizzy, just sit down and wait for me. I just came to check on her. I won't stay long."

Justine let out a soft laugh. He hadn't even come to the hospital specifically for her.

Hazel was still playing her act. "Really, I'm fine. You should stay here and take care of Justine instead—"

She suddenly yelped. Noah had scooped her up without warning. As he carried her out, he looked back and tossed a cold remark over his shoulder. "Don't waste your time."

Gavin trailed behind them, pulling faces at Justine like she was some kind of joke.

A young nurse, Madge Middleton, walked in to change Justine's bandages.

With a touch of admiration, she smiled and said, "They seem really close. Was that your brother and his wife?"

Justine replied flatly, "That was my husband, my son, and his first love."

Madge fell silent for a beat, then abruptly changed her tone, her voice thick with indignation. "God, no wonder that woman was acting so dramatic. She came in perfectly fine but demanded a full-body scan like she was barely breathing. She put on a whole show for nothing…"

Madge's abrupt change made Justine chuckle softly, and for the first time in nearly a year, her smile felt real.

Thankfully, her injuries weren't serious. The hospital kept her for observation for a week before discharging her.

No one came to pick her up.

Justine stepped outside and looked up at the sky, breathing in the clean air and feeling the breeze on her face. For the first time in a long while, she felt light and free. She walked alone down the tree-lined avenue. Her steps quickened. Then, she broke into a run.

So, this was what it felt like to let go of every emotional burden. This was freedom.

When she got home and opened the door, the electric kettle was still on the floor where it had fallen—proof of just how abruptly she had been taken to the hospital. And proof that Noah hadn't set foot back in the house once.

If it weren't for the neighbor downstairs calling emergency services when she collapsed, she might have died right at home.

She didn't feel anything.

She went to the walk-in closet and started packing up all the clothes and plush toys she had bought but never used. Their tags were still on. She sorted her things—new clothes, toys, unused kitchen appliances—into three large boxes.

After talking to the neighbor, who was more than willing to accept them, she dropped everything off.

Now, the closet was mostly empty. Just one winter coat and a few spare changes of clothes remained. She scanned the room, then opened a hidden drawer and pulled out a folder of jewelry design sketches.

Before marrying Noah, she was a respected jewelry designer, but she gave up on all of it for him. When it was time to leave, she would only take one thing with her—her dreams.

She was still packing when Noah's voice rang from the front door. "Justine?"