Chapter 8
I honestly didn’t expect Arthur would actually show up in my hospital room.[]
He was carrying a thermos container, claiming he’d specially made soup for me.
e.]
“Consider it my apology. I’ll take care of you until you’re discharged.”
“What about Cynthia?“]
He completely ignored my question and started setting up the bedside table, laying out the soup and food.[]
I suddenly asked him, “Cynthia likes cranberries in her soup, right?“]
He nodded without thinking, then stared at the plate packed with cranberries and froze.
He should’ve remembered–I absolutely hate cranberries.
When I was little, I refused to eat cranberries and my mom went ballistic, screaming about how I’d never amount to anything because I was such a picky eater.
That day still doesn’t make sense to me.
I could only keep running from memories that scared me.[]
He knew all this and ever promised I’d never have to see cranberries again.]]
Early in our dating, he remembered everything I loved and hated.]
When we went out to eat, even if he got a work call, he’d naturally tell the server not to put cilantro in my food.[]
But now, he’d forgotten what I hated most.[]
He opened his mouth like he was scrambling for an explanation.[]
I sighed. “Just take it back. I already ate anyway.“]
He frantically tried to stop me from clearing the dishes.
But his phone suddenly.rang–it was Cynthia calling.
He stared straight at me, but his hand was already reaching for the phone.
I gave him a bitter smile.
“Go ahead, answer it. Maybe her back’s acting up again.”
He hesitated for a long moment, then finally picked up.[]
I could clearly hear Cynthia being all whiny and sweet, wanting more soup.
“You said you made extra just for me, right? It was so delicious, I want some more now.”
Chapter 8
So that explained why there were so many cranberries in the soup.[]
Why Arthur showed up way past dinner time.
He absentmindedly agreed to bring her more.[]
After hanging up, he looked frantic to explain.[]
But what was there to explain?
No matter how nice his words sounded, I was still just a substitute.
“It’s not like that. I really wanted to make you soup, so I just brought an extra portion along.“[]
I lay back down calmly and completely destroyed his lie without effort.
“Sure, soup made exactly how she likes it, food she loves, beef with cilantro in it—and you’re telling this was meant for me?“[]
“Arthur, I’m not an idiot. I used to like you, so I could pretend to be blind. But now that we’re broken up, you don’t need to waste time with this fake bullshit.”
His grip on the phone got tighter, his face going ghost white.
After a long pause, he finally mumbled an apology.
“I’m sorry. Tomorrow I’ll definitely bring food made just how you like it.“]
Then he practically ran out of the room.]
Soon after, another uninvited visitor walked into my hospital room.]
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