I Never Should've Saved You

Simone froze in place for a long moment before finally lowering her arm. Her arm was numb, and annoyance crept into her voice as she snapped, "What the hell is wrong with you today?

"You were tearing up when you agreed to my confession. And now you're turning on me like this? Justin, do you even remember how obedient and well-behaved you used to be?"

My chest tightened, and I couldn't even bring myself to respond.

I'd been living in a dream, believing she only cared about me. I imagined us going to college together in Movaia, sharing meals and living side by side. Then, we would get engaged, married, and start a family after graduation.

But today, the truth hit me like a knife.

I finally understood that she never loved me.

To her, I was just the child she owed her life to, a nuisance she could easily ignore.

I took a deep breath and repeated calmly, "I'm not joking. The breakup is real. Don't contact me again."

Simone suddenly lost it. She threw the jewelry box onto the floor, anger flooding her eyes. "Justin, are you fucking done yet—"

Before she could finish, someone cut her off.

My dad stepped in front of me, shielding me. His brow tightened slightly as he said sternly, "Sim, watch your language.

"You've been standing in the rain. Why don't you go home, take a hot shower, and get some rest? It's late. I won't keep you here for dinner tonight."

My mom handed her a slice of cake with a polite smile. "Justin already made his wish, and there's no need for gifts. Take this cake home with you. Make sure you get home safely."

Simone stood there, stunned, for a long time.

I understood immediately.

In the past, whenever she came over, my parents had always been warm and welcoming. They'd never once shut her out.

She couldn't understand why their attitude had changed so suddenly today. She hesitated, clearly wanting to say something.

But the front door had already slammed shut in her face with a sharp bang, leaving her standing there, humiliated.

I had no appetite at all. After forcing down a couple of bites of cake, I went back to my bedroom to lie down.

Dad was worried. He sat at the edge of the bed and asked softly, "Justin, have you really thought this through?"

Around Mom, I had to hold back a bit. However, Dad understood me better than anyone, especially how I felt about Simone.

I stared down at the white hearing aid in my hand, unsure what to say. A rush of emotions hit me. How could people change so much?

When I was a kid, after moving to this neighborhood of villas, I loved trailing behind Simone, addressing her endearingly.

Our families got along well and even did some business together.

One day, our families went out to a factory in the suburbs, and an explosion suddenly tore through the place.

I remembered the survival skills my parents had taught me and managed to escape. Simone, though, was trapped in the blaze.

I watched the fire rage and saw her frozen in place as the flames crept closer. Somehow, I found the strength to charge in, grabbing her and running for the exit before anyone else could react.

We were almost out.

And then the factory exploded.

I was hit hard by the blast and fell into a long coma.

When I woke up, I couldn't hear anymore.

My parents looked grim. Simone's parents were hesitant, words stuck in their throats.

I spent days lying in bed. I was drained, silent, and unwilling to interact with anyone.

Simone eventually stopped going to school. She snuck snacks to me constantly, but I didn't touch them.

The hospital felt too depressing, so she snuck me out one day and took me to a shop where she picked out this white hearing aid for me. She had hand-painted the tiny fish designs on it herself.

She fumbled a little as she helped me put it on, even though she was just a kid herself.

Then she looked at me very seriously and said,

"Justin, you saved me.

"My tutor said your name means just and fair. If you did something good, then the world has to be fair to you, right?

"So you’ll be okay. You have to be."