That picture was her only good memory in the last month. After she left, Brian wouldn't call her. After
that, they would be nothing more than strangers.
Molly looked around. This place had been strange to her. However, time had passed and she had
become dependent on the warmth and security she had gotten while living in this place. But now,
things had changed and nothing mattered to her any more. She pursed her lips. She had always
considered her home as her only shelter, protecting herself from all harm. But, she had never been
safe and care-free, since she never truly belonged anywhere. But, this place, which wasn't even her
home, had given her a sense of belonging, a sense of security.
She inhaled deeply and stifled the sadness which was rising from deep down her heart. She bit her
lips, swung her bag behind her and stepped out of the house. 'Goodbye, Bri. We will never see each
other again. Goodbye to our love, which shouldn't have existed at all.'
Brian stood by the window in his room in a blue robe. He rested his hands in his robe pockets. He had
mixed feelings as he watched Molly walk away from the house.
When they hugged yesterday, he had seen through her plan of leaving forever. Steven's lies had
smashed her last ray of hope into pieces. The truth about her biological father, Becky's return... those
were all heavy blows to her dignity. Consequently, leaving was her last and only choice. He could do
nothing but stand there all night and wait for her to leave. Her dignity and pride were the only things
that he could offer to her, untouched and intact. He watched her lone figure disappear. 'Molly, I hope
you can find happiness in your life after this, if that's what you hope to achieve from leaving me.
Goodbye, my love.'
Molly walked along the lane quietly. She came across John and Lisa on her way out. Both of them
greeted her respectfully and amiably, and silently watched her leave. Molly had no idea whether they
knew that she was leaving and not coming back. But what they thought was not her concern any more.
They would never meet again.
Brian moved away from the window after Molly's figure disappeared. He turned around and was about
to leave his study. But he stopped involuntarily and turned towards Molly's room.
Her room was clean and tidy. The folded bedding suggested that Molly hadn't slept last night. He
frowned and looked around. Eventually, his eyes found the letter on the dressing table.
He rushed to it, removed the pot of flowers and took the letter in his hand.
He recognized Molly's handwriting on the paper.
'Bri, I'm leaving. Thank you for everything, especially the final thing which you wanted to do for me. But
now, it's not necessary, because it's too late to do anything.
Sometimes, I laugh at my messed-up life. I've become the sort of person I hate the most. Ever since
my childhood, I have been using my cowardice to cover up my worries, my indecisiveness, and my
fears. I have always been that extra girl disliked by almost everybody.
I never knew who my father was. My mother disliked me, perhaps from the moment I was born. My
existence reminded her of her sufferings, the shame she had to face and the betrayal of her husband,
my father. But I can't control my fate. If I was granted the right to choose, I would choose to never have
been born, to never be detested and despised by everyone.
I had survived people's blames, their discrimination and curses. I had learned to pretend to be
somebody else. This complex world confused me and people scared me. But as time passed, I had
started to forget the dark side of life. I thought that I might become strong, optimistic and happy. But I
was wrong. When tragedies and misfortunes struck one after the other, I understood how vulnerable I
was.
I had wondered about the true identity of my father my whole life. Nevertheless, deep down in my
heart, I was avoiding him. I never wanted to see him. And you... even though you were so enchanting, I
tried my best to resist you while still enjoying your company. I'm weak and indecisive. Sometimes I
despise myself for being so small and so very insignificant.
I was trying to escape from you all this time, especially after I saw Becky's picture on your table. I was
afraid that I would come in between you two. You and Becky are the perfect husband and wife, and I'm
nothing but an outsider. Even though I begged you to let me go, your love made it harder for me to
leave. I was struggling with my conscience. But you told me that you would let me go.
I thought I would be delighted to leave. But the grief was growing uncontrollably in my heart. You taught
me how to make a snowman. You swallowed your pride and stayed with me. At that moment, I told
myself that those beautiful memories would be with me forever.
Bri, thank you for everything that you have given me. Thank you for all the good and the bad memories.
Thank you for everything that you have left in my life. If we ever meet again by accident in the future,
walk away from me and say nothing. We will be strangers then. We will just be two passers-by who had
enjoyed a few happy days together in the past, but we will be two people who won't recognize or
embrace each other when we meet again. Bri, I hope you can forget me. Molly, the woman who truly
loved you, but couldn't be beside you.'
Brian squinted as the bright sunlight pierced his eyes. He noticed that some words were blurred in her
letter. He could imagine how much Molly must have had to refrain herself from crying as she finished
the letter. But she had failed. Tear drops had stained the paper. She tried to hide her emotions, but had
to say goodbye to Brian, the man whom she loved deeply.
He angrily crumpled the letter in his hand. The noise was heard loudly through the silence of the room.
The air indoors felt suffocating. His mouth puckered. Without thinking any further, he rushed outside,
with the crumpled letter still in his hand.
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