---- and I can't make it home today. But once it's done, I promise I'll make it up to you!" "Tt's fine. I don't mind. Take care of your work first," I replied softly. There was a pause on his end before he asked anxiously, "Maddie, are you really okay with this? I don't know. Something feels off. Are you hiding something from me?" I froze mid-motion. "No, what could I possibly be hiding from you?" No matter how I reassured him, Ethan insisted on video calling me. I wiped my tears and accepted the request. We video chatted for two full hours before he finally hung up. He was reluctant to say goodbye until the end. Right before the call ended, he looked at me with deep affection and said, "I can't make it back tomorrow, but I've prepared lots of surprises for you. I hope ---- you'll like them! Maddie, I want to be with you forever. I want to spend every future anniversary with you!" After the call ended, I whispered to myself, "Ethan, there is no future for us." Thank goodness he wasn't coming back. Otherwise, I wouldn't even know what excuse to use to leave tomorrow. I packed up everything that belonged to me. I threw away everything I couldn't take with me. By the time I was done, the sky was already turning bright. Today was our fifth marking anniversary. It was also the day he and Lyla were holding their marking ceremony.