Suddenly, I felt so tired. My knees gave way and I fell before I could stop myself. Just before I lost consciousness, I saw Alexei running toward me, catching me firmly in his arms.
When I opened my eyes again, everything still felt strange. It felt as if what I’d seen before I fainted had only been a dream.
I could hear my mother was speaking to Alexei nearby. “Do you really have to be this cruel? Emilia is my daughter too. I just can’t bring myself to do this.”
“Mom, we’ve finally made it through. Please, stop clinging to the past. When I married Camille, I promised I’d let go and live a good life with her. I’ve already wronged Emilia once—I can’t betray Camille too.”
My mother sighed in resignation. “Maybe… that’s for the best,” she said softly. “But Alex… please take care of yourself too.”
Their voices grew fainter and fainter until I could no longer hear them. Cold tears slipped into my palms. I wiped them away—along with my broken heart.
No one came to see me in the days that followed.
Alexei's assistant, Alfred, brought me the newest model of phone and patiently taught me how to use it. Then, as I stared at the empty contact list, I realized I had no one to call.