In The Summer, Where Cicadas Buzz

Ethan clearly hadn’t expected my sudden question. He turned away awkwardly, avoiding my gaze.

“If you don’t want to sign…”

He reached out instinctively to take back the divorce papers, just like he had so many times before. Yet, this time, I grabbed onto it.

My mind was a mess. I had just been diagnosed with cancer, and on top of that, I had seen the video he recorded three years ago. More than anything, I wanted to empty my thoughts and stop feeling altogether. However, I knew better than anyone that there was no time left.

I clenched the divorce papers tightly, staring straight at him as I pressed on, step by step, desperate for an answer.

“Ethan, will you be happy?”

My persistence clearly made him uncomfortable. He frowned, irritation flashing across his face, and roughly yanked the papers out of my hand. The sharp edge of the paper sliced across my palm, and blood slowly seeped out.

However, the pain in my hand was nothing compared to the impatience on his face. When he noticed the blood, his expression turned cold.

“Go get it treated.”

I shook my head and continued waiting stubbornly for his answer. Avoiding my eyes, he held the papers and turned to leave.

“Do whatever you want,” he said flatly. “When you decide to sign, let me know.”

With that, he started walking toward the door.

Watching him leave, I let out a quiet sigh and finally made my choice. “I’ll sign it now.”

He froze, then turned back to look at me. “You will?”

Under his doubtful gaze, I smiled faintly, a sense of release settling over me as I spoke each word clearly.

“I will.”

He stood there, unmoving, and the room fell into an unnatural silence until his phone suddenly rang. It was a ringtone exclusive to Millie.

I couldn’t hear what she was saying on the other end, but Ethan’s expression grew more serious with every second.

“Alright. Stay where you are. I’ll come deal with it.”

After hanging up, he grabbed his coat and headed for the door. For a brief moment, I desperately wanted to stop him.

“Ethan, it only takes a moment to sign.”

However, as if he hadn’t heard me at all, he closed the door behind him. He wasn’t even willing to give me a moment to sign the papers.

I stood there, letting out a self-mocking laugh. How foolish of me to still be greedy, hoping that the amnesiac Ethan would stay for my sake.

…

I had thought it would be a long time before I saw him again. Instead, he came back the very next day.

“Are the divorce papers signed?”

That was the first thing he said to me. The second was…

“We’re going to the courthouse today.”

When I didn’t respond, Ethan frowned again and asked, “You’re not trying to back out, are you?”

Over the past three years, whenever I was furious, I had threatened divorce more than once, only to regret it soon after. This time, I didn’t answer him. I simply handed him the signed papers, letting my actions speak for me.

“I won’t go back on it. I’ll go to the courthouse with you.”

He took the papers, flipped straight to the last page, glanced at my signature, and then casually tossed the papers aside.

“You can eat first,” he said, sitting calmly on the couch as if waiting for me.

I looked at the breakfast laid out on the table, then shook my head and spoke softly. “No need. Let’s go now.”

I couldn’t give myself any more room to regret it.