When I got home, Mom began grumbling that I’d been out socializing so much that I hadn’t even had a proper meal at home since I got back.
I immediately hugged her and promised her I would have all my meals at home the next day.
The next day, I noticed that there was an extra set of tableware on the table. Instinctively, I asked, “What’s with the extra plate?”
“Mary told me that Nathan is back too. I haven’t seen him in a while, so I invited him over for dinner. I want to know how he’s been doing,” Mom replied.
I frowned. Then, after a small serving of food, I found an excuse and left the house.
I had just stepped out of the neighborhood when I saw Nathan arriving, so I quickly ducked into the communal garden to avoid him.
To my surprise, I overheard him arguing with Lucille.
She had come running up to him from behind and blocked his path. “Nathan, why are you ignoring me? Is it because of Yvonne? Don’t forget how many times you’ve toyed with her. No one in their right mind would forgive you after what you’ve done!”
Nathan’s expression twisted in anger. He glared at her, eyes bulging. “Shut up. If you dare tell anyone about this, I’ll make you pay!”
Lucille showed no fear. She laughed maniacally. “Are you scared, now? Where was that fear before? Oh, right, you were too engrossed in bed with me. Now, you regret everything and want your little childhood sweetheart back?
“It’s too late now, Nathan! Yvonne knows about what you’ve done. That’s why she disappeared and cut all ties with you!”
At that, Nathan slapped Lucille across the face in a fit of rage, knocking her to the ground.
Lucille retaliated by tearing at his clothes.
It was quite a show.
1/2
Shopter B
+25 Bonus
In the end, their catfight was broken up by the passers–by. Even then, Nathan remained frantic, muttering something to himself like a lunatic.
Still, he refused to leave. After straightening out his clothes, he picked up the gifts that he had brought with him and continued his way to my house.
After that day, I became extremely cautious and paid attention to his whereabouts.
Anywhere he would be, I made sure to avoid that place.
Even on Christmas Eve, when I found out that Nathan would visit my parents, I made up an excuse and left.
So what if I couldn’t go home on Christmas Eve? I would do anything to avoid him.
Later, I heard from Mom that Nathan had cried like a baby that day.
He kept sobbing, saying that he was sorry, that he regretted everything, and that he wouldn’t bother me again.
I scoffed and told Mom to disregard him.
After Christmas, I broke my lease and moved to another city.
The day I boarded the train, I ran into Mary.
I hadn’t seen her for a while. She looked much more haggard than before, her gray hair more prominent now.
When she saw me, she didn’t say much. Nathan must have told her what happened between us.
She just reached out and patted my hair gently. “Nathan lost out on a good thing. You did the right thing, Yvonne.”
At that moment, I didn’t know what to say.
In the end, all I could say was, “Take care of yourself, Mrs. Seville.”
I did not ask after Nathan. I didn’t care about him anymore.
I never saw him again for the next decade.
Just by chance, I found out from Anne that he bought the apartment I used to live in, and that he sometimes spent whole days sitting alone in front of the City Hall.
But unfortunately, regret was useless in life.
