Goodbye, My Lost Love

Chapter 9

William and I had been together for eight years.

We started out as college sweethearts, both at the same university. After graduation, I was accepted into a prestigious grad program, while he dove straight into the business world. I focused on my Ph.D., and he built a company from the ground up. Eventually, he proposed with a simple, "Let's get married."

No elaborate proposal, no ring ceremony, just those words and my quiet agreement. Back then, I thought our love was rock-solid, nothing could break it.

But looking back now, I see how naïve I was. Love isn't invincible. It's fragile, shaped by time, distance, and circumstances.

That afternoon, I found myself back at the university for a medical fund donation event. To my surprise, William was there too. His presence was unexpected, and for reasons I couldn't place, unwelcome.

From across the room, he flashed me that familiar, smug grin, his signature move. "I saw that paper last week, so I jumped in, reached out to the collaborators, and got involved. Would've been a missed opportunity if I hadn't, especially now that it's all over the media."

He paused, eyeing me for a moment, then asked, "By the way, do you know someone named Amelia Victoria? Can you help me connect with her? I'm thinking about getting an interview, or maybe even having her endorse my company."

I stayed quiet, my mind racing. For a split second, I almost told him the truth, that I was the "big shot" he was chasing. But before I could speak, he cut me off.

"Wait, how could you possibly know her?" he scoffed, brushing off the idea like it was ridiculous. "People like her only hang out with geniuses. You're nowhere near her level."

I could feel my frustration bubbling up, but I swallowed it down. Arguing was pointless now.

"No, I don't know her," I said, my tone flat, not giving anything away.

He didn't seem surprised by my response. Instead, he rolled his eyes and made a face, annoyed that I wasn't feeding into his game.

"I heard there's a list of people heading to a national research facility soon. I'm betting Amelia Victoria's name is on it," he said, testing me, as if trying to gauge my reaction.

I shrugged, doing my best to hide the unease creeping over me.

William leaned forward, narrowing his eyes, his suspicion flickering. "You know about this list?"

"No," I replied, keeping my tone cool as I shifted my focus elsewhere.

"Ah, forget it," he muttered, losing interest fast.

Just then, one of my junior colleagues walked over, excitement written all over her face. "Senior, the professor wants you in the group photo! There's a long line of people who want to take a picture with you, they won't get another chance!"

I stood up without saying another word, ready to leave.

William grabbed my arm, pulling me back. "What do you mean 'no chance'?"

I kept my expression neutral, gently pulling my arm away. "Nothing. Someone just needs to leave, that's all."

"Who's leaving?" he asked, curiosity creeping in.

"No one important," I replied, already walking away.

I glanced back over my shoulder as I walked off. William stood there, his face a mix of confusion and frustration, completely lost as to what was going on.

William, I'm leaving, but it's not your business.

Once again, William had broken his promise.

In the middle of the night, his phone rang. Ava's voice crackled through the line, full of panic. "I forgot my keys, and my parents are visiting my grandmother. I don't know what to do."

William peeked over at me to see if I was asleep, but I stayed still, pretending to be deep in slumber.

On the balcony, his voice broke the quiet of the night, louder than usual. "Why did you go back to your place?"

"Don't you like your sister's apartment?" he shot at her, sounding almost like he was trying to provoke her.

Ava's voice cracked, sounding scared. "I didn't go back after the trip. I didn't want Victoria to find out and get upset. I was planning to move back in a few days… but I, "

"I told you to stay there," William cut her off, impatience clear in his voice. "It's just a house."

"I'm so scared, William. The old neighborhood feels so dark, and I keep feeling like someone's following me," Ava sobbed.

"Don't worry, I'll come right now. Stay on the line," he promised, his tone urgent.

The next morning, I woke up to find William hadn't come home yet.

I didn't bother asking where he had gone or checking if he was still planning to come back. The professor had asked me to bring some documents to the university, and I had my own work to focus on.

It wasn't until I was on my way to campus that I got a call from William.

"Sorry, Victoria," he said, his voice strained. "Can we visit the campus another time?"