Expired Love

Early the next morning, I got a message from Jethro.

[Glen got sick and was hospitalized, so I stayed. Went straight to the law firm today. Will make you some delicacies when I get back from work.]

I read the message but didn't reply.

Ever since Nancy and Glen showed up, I had been wondering if I was overreacting.

Nancy and he came from the same orphanage. Before, Nancy had worked day and night for him, to the point where she broke down from exhaustion, but Jethro insisted that they were like family, nothing more.

"Valerie, you are my one and only," he had said. "Don't you know my heart after all these years?"

It was true. Seven years of love wasn't something to dismiss lightly.

Dane once asked why I only insisted on a wedding with Jethro, instead of a marriage certificate. I held back my tears and confessed, "I'm dying. A marriage certificate won't change that. I don't want him to grieve forever. I want him to move on and be happy."

That was a lie.

I was terrified of death and even more afraid that Jethro would forget me.

...

As my mind wandered, I drifted off to sleep on the couch.

The smell of food woke me up. When I opened my eyes, everything was dark except for the kitchen.

I looked down at the thin blanket covering me and realized Jethro must have put it on me.

Just then, he came out with the freshly made ribs, smiling. "You're up. Wash your hands, and let's eat."

"Why keep the lights off?" I stood up, heading to the table.

Jethro, still in his apron, set down the food. "You were sleeping soundly. I didn't want to wake you up."

I suddenly remembered a winter night when he had worked late.

I woke up in the middle of the night and saw no one next to me, so I called him.

He didn't pick up, and I panicked, rushing to look for him without putting on a coat. But when I opened the door, I saw him leaning against the wall, asleep.

He stirred at the noise, slowly standing up and rubbing his stiff back. "Forgot my keys and didn't want to wake you up. So, I waited and somehow fell asleep out here."

Later, I learned that he had seen me struggling to sleep at night because of work. He didn't want to disturb my sleep.

Now, as I stared at the food, my appetite vanished.

According to the doctor, stomach cancer often left patients too weak to eat, leading to severe malnutrition.

"Dig in before it gets cold," Jethro urged, packing some ribs into a container.

I blinked. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Nancy is still at the hospital taking care of Glen," he explained without stopping his movements. "They haven't eaten, so I'm taking them some food."

I gripped my fork and knife. Pain flooded my heart.

Unable to hold back, I looked at his weary face and asked, "Is there really nothing but sibling love between you and Nancy?"

He hadn't rested for a full day and night.

He paused, frowning. "How many times do I have to say it before you believe me? You're being unreasonable."

He grabbed the container and started heading for the door.

I trembled, tears instantly flooding my eyes. "Jethro!"

He stopped but didn't turn around.

I asked, "Do you have to go?"

Nancy wasn't a child. She could order takeout for Glen and herself or eat at the restaurants outside the hospital.

Maybe Jethro didn't even realize it, but ever since Nancy with her son showed up, his attention had completely shifted to them.

Jethro left without a word, slamming the door shut behind him.

I closed my eyes, tears of despair streaming down my face.

...

Something compelled me to follow him to the hospital.

As I parked, I saw Nancy standing in the cold outside the hospital. A big smile broke on her face when she spotted Jethro.

She jogged over to link arms with him, and they went upstairs, chatting and laughing.

A chill ran through me, but I forced myself to follow them.

"This is so good! Thank you, Jethro!" Glen exclaimed in the hospital room, praising Jethro's cooking skills.

Through the little window, I saw him and Nancy standing side by side, both smiling warmly at Glen.

Nancy turned to him. "Thank you for coming so late. But won't Valerie be upset?"

Jethro didn't answer.

Nancy leaned on his shoulder and sobbed, "But you're the only one I can rely on now. I've regretted it all these years. I shouldn't have been so stubborn and married him. I shouldn't have left you just because you were with Valerie. I know you've always had feelings for me, but I don't deserve you anymore."

"Don't say that," Jethro said, taking a deep breath. "I'll take care of you and Glen, but Valerie is waiting. I need to go back now."

He turned to leave, but Nancy held him from behind, bursting into tears. "Don't go."

I watched, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. The pain was so much that I couldn't even breathe.

Steeling myself, I pushed open the door to the room.

Jethro jumped, pulling away from her. Panic crept onto his face. "Valerie, it's not what you think. Let me explain."

Behind him, Nancy suddenly screamed, "Isn't it? We went through thick and thin together. Do you really just see me as a sister? Dare you swear that you've never liked me?"

Jethro remained silent, but silence was acquiescence.

Glen got out of bed and rushed over to protect her. He glared at me and spat, "You bad woman! My mom says Jethro is going to be my dad sooner or later. I won't let you take him!"

Nancy quickly covered his mouth, but the damage was done.

I gave a bitter laugh, staring at Jethro. "Is that what you think, too? Is that why you're doing everything for them? Do you really see her as your sister or unattainable love?"

Jethro panicked. "I admit that I liked Nancy before, but that was in the past. I'm taking care of them only because..."

"Enough!" I yelled. "It doesn't matter anymore. From now on, you can take care of them openly."

He was confused. "What?"

I took a deep breath and wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes. "Jethro, let's break up. When you left me at the wedding, our relationship was over."