In the following days,Luke went on a business trip,and I was handling my departure procedures.
The wedding arrangements were all finalized,but I never replied to his messages.
Eventually,he noticed something was wrong.He canceled his meetings and rushed home.
The moment he saw me,he pulled me into a tight embrace.
Breathing heavily,he apologized.
"Honey,I handled the wedding room and rehearsal badly.Please don't be angry."
He excitedly took my hand,his voice unusually gentle."You've wanted to watch the sunset for a long time,haven't you?Let's go watch the sunset!"
Before I could refuse,he grabbed my wrist and dragged me out,forcibly putting me in the car.
A touch of emotion stirred within me.Back then,he confessed his love to me under the sunset.
"Kath,I love you more than my own life."
Now that I was leaving,watching the sunset with him one last time,was a final farewell to our years-long relationship.
But the car headed towards Jessica's house.
"The sunset tonight is supposed to be spectacular,so Jessica is coming with us too."
Jessica climbed into the passenger seat with a bright smile.
"Kath,I'll definitely take some great photos for you two today."
The two of them chattered excitedly the whole way,seemingly forgetting my presence.
We soon reached the mountaintop.The evening breeze was gentle,and the sky glowed with shades of gold and orange.
For the first time in days,I felt a sense of peace.
Luke reached for my hand and held it tightly.
"Kath,I've always loved you."
Bathed in the warm light of the setting sun,his eyes looked sincere.
For a second,I almost believed him.
"Tsk,so cheesy!"
Jessica rolled her eyes and stepped between us with her phone raised.She was about to take a picture when she suddenly screamed.
"Aahh!"
She fell heavily to the ground,her ankle instantly swelling and turning red.
Her eyes reddened,and she looked at me with teary eyes.
"Kath,why did you push me?"
Before I could explain a word,Luke's expression changed drastically.
He rushed over,knelt down to help Jessica up,and yelled at me,"Kath,what are you doing?!"
I froze,staring at him in disbelief.
I hadn't even moved.I had been standing in the same spot the entire time.
Jessica leaned against him,trembling with pain,sobbing,"Forget it,don't blame Kath.She probably thinks I interrupted your date."
"Luke,if I come with you next time,please don't yell at her—"
"Luke,I didn't push her.I—"I interrupted,shouting.
Luke's face grew increasingly grim,refusing to listen to any of my explanations,interrupting me,
"Enough,Kath!"
His brows furrowed,his eyes fixed solely on Jessica in his arms.
"Luke,my foot hurts so much."
"Don't be afraid,Jess.I'll take you to the hospital right away."
With that,he picked up Jessica and quickly left,leaving me behind.
But my phone and bag were still in the car.
The mountain quickly grew quiet as most of the visitors had already left.
The wind became colder.Dark clouds rolled across the sky.
A heavy rain was coming.
I had no choice but to hurry down the mountain,praying it wouldn't rain.But I hadn't gone far when lightning flashed across the sky,and a sudden downpour began.
Within seconds,I was soaked.Cold water streamed through my hair and down my face.
The freezing wind cut through my clothes.
Fear and loneliness settled heavily inside my chest.
I didn't dare linger for a moment,and kept running downhill.
Just when I was completely soaked and almost couldn't hold on any longer,a car stopped in front of me.
The driver and passengers inside rolled down their windows,looking at me with surprise and concern.
"Miss,it's raining,and the mountain path is steep and dark.It's so dangerous.Why did you come down the mountain alone?"
I clutched my soaked clothes,my throat tightened,and I couldn't utter a word.
One of the girls glanced at me;soaked,exhausted,and miserable,then let out a soft sigh.
"You came up with that couple,right?I saw three of you on the way here.Why did they abandon you?"
My heart sank,the pain making me forget to breathe.
Then the strangers kindly drove me home and reminded me to take medicine before leaving.
The rain outside continued to pour.
I took out my spare phone and turned it on,but there was no message from Luke.
I pulled out a treasured box from my locker.
Inside were love letters he had written to me,movie ticket stubs,travel souvenirs,and photos of the three of us from our youth.
On the back of the photos were words I had written in my youth:"We will be together forever."
I stared at those words for a long time,then I picked up a lighter.
A small flame appeared.
Without hesitation,I dropped it into the box.
The fire quickly spread,burning away our memories.
Friendship,love,I didn't want any of it.
