When Love Ceases

I give up being with my family and follow my boyfriend, Leon Burton, to a research institute in the harsh land of Aetheris, just to take care of him.

One day, he discovers an asteroid. According to the law in our country, the person who discovers an asteroid holds the right to name it. Without even stopping to think, he says, "I'll name it Phoebe."

Everyone is stunned. Naming an asteroid is a significant event, but Leon makes his decision too hastily.

The person in charge asked again, "Are you sure you want to name it that?"

Leon nods without hesitation.

Standing in a corner where no one can see me, I can't stop crying. Only I knew that "Phoebe" is the name of his first love, Phoebe Jones.

Wiping away my tears, I call my mother. "Mom, I've decided to marry Nathan. I'm leaving Aetheris."

My boyfriend, Leon Burton, who worked in the research institute in Aetheris, had discovered an asteroid. When it was time to give it a name, he said he wanted to name it "Phoebe".

Phoebe Jones. That was the name of his first love.

I broke down in tears over it in the corner of the room. I had left my family to follow him to Aetheris, taking care of his every need. And yet…

Heartbroken, I called my mother. "Mom, I've decided to marry Nathan. I'm leaving Aetheris."

Puzzled, my mother hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Weren't you with Leon? Why do you suddenly want to marry his uncle, Nathan? Did Leon treat you badly?"

"It's nothing," I replied, taking a deep breath and trying to stay calm. "I just want to spend more time with you and Dad."

"Alright," she said. Her eyes quickly reddened with emotion, and she added excitedly, "I'll let Nathan know."

After ending the call, I turned to leave, pretending I had never been there.

Just as I reached the entrance of the research institute, my phone vibrated again. It was Abby Reid, one of Leon's colleagues.

As soon as I answered, her apologetic voice came through. "Rachel, I thought Leon was planning a surprise for you, so I told you to come over. I didn't expect…"

Her voice trailed off, making my heart ache.

Everyone at the research institute thought Leon would name the asteroid after me. After all, he had never mentioned it to me.

In five days, it would have been our fifth anniversary. I had always thought he would save it as a surprise gift. But the truth hit me hard, like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head.

When I didn't respond, Abby called my name again, still worried.

I wiped my tears and said, "Please don't tell Leon I came today. Thank you."

Back at home, I looked around the apartment we had shared for five years.

The 970-square-foot unit, provided by the institute, was full of memories of me and Leon.

As I stood there in a daze,