After My Love Said Goodbye, I Found Freedom

At my boyfriend Asa Clark's birthday party, all attention seemed to focus on his childhood friend, Ellie Perkins. Because Ellie disliked strawberries, Asa insisted I eat an entire slice of strawberry cheesecake, dismissing Makenzie Grant’s warning about my allergy as trivial. "Come on, stop being so dramatic," he said impatiently.

As I experienced an allergic reaction, struggling for breath, Asa was busy comforting Ellie’s tantrums. While my friends rushed me to the ER, Asa didn't even glance up, too busy promising Ellie some jewelry as a peace offering. Even as I lay there, pale and weak, he mocked, "Putting on a show for whom? Once we get the marriage license next Monday, it'll be just what you wanted, right?"

That night, Ellie sent me a message dripping with provocation: "He's not going to show up next Monday. You'll never win against me." She’s right, I thought. If I can’t win, why bother at all?

By the time Makenzie got me to the hospital, my throat was completely constricted, as if drowning in an endless wave. Panicking, I clutched at my neck. The doctor quickly set up an emergency airway, and amidst the chaos of the ER, I passed out on the stretcher.

I woke to darkness in a hospital room, an IV needle tugging painfully at the bruise on my hand. Makenzie gently stopped me from pulling it out, her voice laden with emotion, "You're still on the IV, don’t move."

I looked at her, and she turned her face away awkwardly. Trying to speak, I found my voice gone, so I wiped her tears instead. Sniffling, Makenzie finally offered some comfort, "Loretta, don’t be upset. Asa probably didn't realize your allergy was that severe..."

I shook my head with a weak smile. Just then, my phone buzzed with Ellie’s text: "He’s not going to show up next Monday. You'll never win against me."

I blinked back sudden tears as Makenzie looked at me with deep concern. "Loretta, don’t hold it in. If you feel like crying, just cry," she urged.

But I shook my head again, trying to show her I was fine, even as tears filled my eyes. I knew I shouldn't cry. With my allergy symptoms still strong, crying would only worsen the risk of suffocation. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't quash the ache in my heart.

Makenzie, flustered and unsure how to console me, watched helplessly.

Through watery eyes, I typed a message on my phone: "I’m okay; I just need to let off some steam."

Exhausted from crying, I fell asleep again. Makenzie gently tucked the blanket around me, then quietly left the room with her phone.

When I woke again, I heard Asa's voice, lowered and hushed. For a moment, I thought he had come to see me and was about to get up to find him.

But as I pulled the blanket aside, Ellie’s playful voice followed, "Asa, my stomach's only hurting a little. It doesn’t stop us from going for a midnight snack."

"You little foodie, always thinking of food," Asa chuckled indulgently.

Through the gap in the privacy curtain, I saw Asa sitting by Ellie’s bed, his long fingers gently caressing her hand. Ellie, with a pout, was being playful. The intimate atmosphere enveloped them, so much so that even I, his official girlfriend, couldn't help but acknowledge, "They really do suit each other."

The warm ambiance shattered as Makenzie stormed in. "What do you think you're doing, Asa?" she demanded.

Ellie, unfazed, turned cheerfully, "Makenzie, you brought oranges? You’re so sweet!"

Makenzie walked briskly to her bedside, looking down at her, "Ellie, Asa is Loretta's boyfriend. Have you no shame?"

Ellie froze, tears welling up as she looked at Makenzie with feigned innocence. Asa frowned deeply, pulling Ellie closer protectively, and snapped at Makenzie, "Watch your mouth, Makenzie!"

Boiling with anger, Makenzie yanked back the curtain beside my bed, pointing at my frail form. "Asa, I thought you’d seen my message and came to take care of Loretta. But instead, you’re here flirting in Loretta’s hospital room? Disgusting!"

Asa, momentarily caught off guard, quickly regained his composure. Still holding Ellie, he didn’t inquire about my condition but instead coldly justified, "Ellie has cramps. I brought her here. As a woman, you should understand."

A thousand needles seemed to pierce my heart, but I forced a smile and nodded. When I remained silent, Asa’s frown deepened, "Such bad manners!"

Ellie jumped in, "Don’t say that," then softly whined to me, "Loretta, you don’t know how slow Asa can be. I was nearly passing out from cramps before he noticed."