The moment Nathan burst into the house, his heart sank even further.
The place felt eerily empty.
Clean, like a house waiting for new owners.
No trace of life anywhere.
The photo wall Hannah had loved was stripped bare of any pictures of her.
It felt like someone had carved out his heart.
Numbly, he walked to Hannah’s room, which was even emptier than the living room
Not even a single strand of her hair remained.
Clinging to his last hope, he opened the closet, then checked every drawer in the room and bathroom….
Nathan suddenly realized he’d misunderstood Hannah completely.
She was always considerate.
So considerate that she’d left without a trace.
He stumbled out, and passing the dining room, finally found something she’d left behind.
A garbage bin.
Full of food.
And a cake.
He slowly crouched down, recognizing all his favorite dishes.
Opening the unopened cake box, he broke down crying when he saw the white chocolate message card.
-Nathan, I wish you happiness.
Even after how terribly he’d treated her, Hannah still wished him well.
Yet what had he said in their last phone call?
He’d said,
“Hannah, when did you become so cruel?
“Your stomach pain is an old problem, can’t you just deal with it?
+15 BONUS
“Hannah, why are you being difficult when Nina needs me?”
He couldn’t remember when he’d started calling her in her full name so coldly.
Nathan couldn’t pinpoint when he’d become this person.
Or imagine…
How disappointed Hannah must have been with what he’d become.
He should have noticed earlier.
Hannah had been preparing to leave for a while.
The couple items suddenly replaced.
The small decorations that disappeared….
And that matching watch.
“Nathan…” Nina’s timid voice broke the silence.
Nathan startled, looked up at the doorway, hastily wiping his face. “Why are you here?”
“I… I was worried when you left in such a hurry, so I followed you.”
Nina surveyed the house as she walked in, barely hiding her delight. “Has Hannah… left?”
“No.”
Nathan denied it firmly. “She’s just angry. I’ll win her back.”
“Nathan, maybe you and Hannah weren’t really right for each other… maybe this is for the best…”
