My Period Exposed Everything

The day before my period, I found a note on my fiancé's phone.

[Her period starts tomorrow. I already packed pads and painkillers in her bag.]

I smiled. It was such a small thing, but it felt thoughtful.

The next day, a dull ache twisted in my lower stomach. Pale and uncomfortable, I dug through my crossbody bag.

Nothing.

Dark red blood stained my pants. Students pointed behind me and whispered with awkward laughs.

I figured he'd just forgotten at the last minute.

Then the new intern teacher posted on social media.

[Just started working, and my supervising teacher is literally the sweetest! He even got me pads and painkillers. This period has been pain-free!]

The photo showed a pack of pads, an ibuprofen tablet, and a mug of ginger tea.

The painkillers were mine—the ones I'd kept stocked at home for years because of my cramps.

The pads were the only brand my skin could tolerate.

I turned off my phone and stared at the engagement ring on my finger for a long time.

Then I stood up and headed to the principal's office to apply for the overseas teacher exchange program.

Seven years.

He still couldn't remember my cycle.

And now, he never would have to.

###CONTENT

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After I turned in the application, the final bell rang.

Ms. Larry glanced at me a few times before finally speaking.

"You and Mr. Bowyer are getting married next month. Two days ago, you were still working on the invitations. So why..."

She didn't finish the question, but I knew what she meant.

The shortest teacher exchange assignment lasted three years.

No newlyweds would willingly spend that long apart.

Besides, everyone at school knew I'd spent four years chasing Kelvin Bowyer, then another three years dating him before we finally got this close to marriage.

How could I possibly leave him?

But distance only hurts when both people care.

And I'd just realized the man who promised to marry me might not love me as much as I'd always thought.

I picked at the dried blood under my nails. It got there when I shoved in layers of toilet paper earlier.

"Things just didn't work out. Ms. Larry, can you do me a favor? Please don't tell anyone about my application."

She frowned, sympathy flashing in her eyes.

"Okay. I'll keep it confidential. The earliest exchange group leaves tomorrow. I can get you in with them."

I nodded gratefully before leaving the office.

My phone buzzed again.

Kelvin.

[What's taking you so long? Work ended ten minutes ago.]

Ever since we moved in together, we'd always left work together.

Even though he finished two hours after I did, I'd wait for him in the office every day and never thought twice about it.

Today, he'd waited ten minutes for me and was already annoyed.

I pressed my lips together and focused on the feeling in my chest.

There was none of the crushing pain I'd expected.

That's when I realized I'd finally let go.

I replied:

[Still have something to do. Go ahead without me.]

Then I turned off my phone and didn't look at it again.

Back in the office, I packed up my textbooks and organized all the lesson materials and class files that needed to be handed over.

An hour later, I rolled my sore shoulders and headed out through the school gates.

I pulled out my phone to call a ride.

A horn blared behind me, making me jump.

I turned around.

Kelvin's car was parked right behind me.

I froze.

The horn sounded again.

Then he leaned out the window.

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