I’m Dying, But He’s Already Moved On

I opened my eyes to find Julian beside me. He had drunk a lot, lying next to me with his eyes closed.

The nausea in my stomach was overwhelming. I pushed him aside and ran to the bathroom, vomiting everything up.

When I finally returned from cleaning the bloodstains in the bathroom, Julian had opened his eyes.

He was leaning gently against the headboard, watching me.

“Elena, you’re awake?”

I nodded lightly.

“Are you angry? Those clients today were a real pain. Tomorrow, I’ll come home and have dinner with you, I promise.”

I didn’t respond, walking over to my side of the bed and lying down.

The painkiller didn’t seem to help much. After vomiting, the dull ache in my stomach returned.

I didn’t have the energy to speak, curling up and facing away from Julian.

He was upset and turned my body towards him, doing so forcefully.

“I work myself to exhaustion every day so you can live a good life. I promised you, Elena, I’ll make sure you live a good life.”

I didn’t have the strength to resist or say anything back. My stomach twisted in pain again.

I stopped struggling, letting his grip guide me as I leaned against him.

Yes, he had promised, and he would make sure I lived a good life.

Julian held me tenderly, and I smelled the faint scent of perfume on him.

It was Burberry’s women’s fragrance, the one I used to love the most.

I didn’t say anything, simply closed my eyes.

Julian shifted and held me tighter.

After a while, I heard his soft snoring.

I lay there, wide-eyed, unable to sleep, my stomach aching and the faint perfume scent keeping me awake.

I stared at the ceiling, feeling like the night was dragging on forever.

Through the window, I saw a faint glow from the streetlights outside.

Time passed slowly, and after what felt like an eternity, the sky started to lighten just a little.

Julian was still sound asleep, holding me tightly in the same position.

I buried my head deeper into his chest. Julian, in the time that’s left, I just wish you could stay by my side.

My parents left when I was very young. After Julian’s career began to take off, he didn’t want me to tire myself out, so I quit my job and stayed home alone.

I don’t like socializing, and I don’t have any friends. There’s no one to talk to.

I only have him. I only have Julian.

A little while later, the sun had fully risen. Luna was at the door, scratching at it with her claws.

Julian opened his eyes.

“She’s punctual, isn’t she? She always wants to eat at this time.”

With that, he let go of me and stood up to head to the living room, where he fed Luna.

When he returned, I spoke up.

“Julian, can you stay with me a little longer?”

“Elena, just wait two more months, okay? Wait for two more months, and I’ll give you a big surprise.”

He didn’t take my words seriously, pulling on his shirt and rolling up his sleeves before heading to the kitchen.

A while later, he brought over a cup of hot milk and set it on my nightstand.

“I’m off to work. There’s a project tonight, so I won’t be home for dinner. Remember to drink the milk.”

Julian, two months… I don’t know if I can wait that long.

I watched him walk away, only hearing the door slam shut behind him.

I turned my gaze to the cup of milk on the nightstand, watching as the steam slowly disappeared.

Luna came running in from the door and lay down next to my bed.

I knew she was waiting for me to take her out for a walk.

I grabbed a painkiller, picked up the now-cold milk, and swallowed the pill.

After half an hour, I stood up, changed clothes, and led Luna downstairs.