Ghosts of What We Had

"I've explained this to you countless times already!" Wendy Johnson, my fiancee, huffed. "Harvey has cancer! He only has a year left to live, and his biggest wish is to give his family a child who can carry on the family name. He saved my life before, so I must help him fulfill this wish!"I'd heard this argument at least 100 times in the past month. The first time Wendy brought it up, I swiftly and adamantly expressed my refusal to give her my permission. However, she didn't give up there. She kept talking about it every day.Initially, she broached the subject carefully to seek my approval, but it slowly evolved into her righteously arguing with me over the subject. It was as if I'd be the most heartless man in the world if I didn't agree to go along with her demand.But who repaid a debt of gratitude by carrying a person's child?Nevertheless, the month-long fighting exhausted me both physically and mentally. I no longer had the energy to attempt to change Wendy's mind.Staring

Wendy didn't return that night. I didn't call to ask where she was, either. I'd already gotten my update from Harvey's Instagram story.After leaving the hospital that afternoon, they went straight to Harvey's home and informed his parents about the pregnancy. I saw the photo of Harvey's grandmother saying something to Wendy while holding her hand affectionately. Wendy was smiling gently as she stroked her abdomen with her other hand.Throughout my five-year relationship with Wendy, she'd only once agreed to visit my family with me, and that was after I had proposed to her. Even though it was less than half an hour's drive to my family's home, she never once initiated a visit.She claimed she didn't like spending time around older people. It made her feel uncomfortable.During that sole visit, she simply maintained a polite attitude with my family. There was none of the warmth and friendliness she showed the Sniders in the photo.I blinked to clear the bitterness from my eyes befo

Wendy was gone for the entire week, but I knew what she was up to at all times. It was hard not to when Harvey was such a fan of posting his entire life on social media. The two enjoyed the hot springs, visited the beach, and took sunrise photos together.Thanks to his social media postings, I saw many different sides of Wendy. It turned out that she had it in her to behave the way ordinary women did when they were in a relationship. It only seemed impossible when she was with me.I wasn't paying specific attention to what Wendy and Harvey were doing. It was always a fleeting glance as I was scrolling past.Well, my days weren't idle either. There were far too many things in the house, and it took me several days to sort out everything.I also made the time to drop by at home and inform my parents that I was joining Professor Kelley's research lab. Once I did, it would be some time before I could have any contact with the outside world again.Dad was taken aback."But you and Wen

Wendy, who had just escorted Harvey to the car, overheard the last few words I said. Sensing that she didn't hear the first half, I gave her a made-up story."My friend's leaving Rockshire soon."Wendy nodded and didn't bother asking any further.…Four days before my departure, Wendy brought back the photos from her wedding photoshoot with Harvey. Holding her phone up with one hand, she got Harvey on a video call and proceeded to show him the framed photo with a blissful smile on her face."Our wedding photos are ready, Harvey. When I went to pick them up, the staff said the photos came out really well."That was precisely the sentence I heard when I happened to head toward the kitchen for some water.Eyes flickering with awkwardness, Wendy looked at me as if she wanted to say something. I glanced at the photo and remarked with a straight face, "The photo does look pretty good."Wendy was dumbfounded. It abruptly occurred to her that it'd been ages since I last initiated a pro

Meanwhile, Wendy waited until Harvey's condition stabilized before leaving the hospital. She texted me to ask if everything was ready for the wedding ceremony and said she was coming over to the hotel now.Yet, even as she got into the cab, she didn't receive a response. She pulled up our chat to ask me again, only to realize that it'd been over two weeks since we last had a proper conversation.Wendy started scrolling through our chat history. Nearly all of the messages were from me. Some were asking about her day and what she'd like for dinner, while others asked for her opinion on things for the wedding.And all of her replies were one-liners, ranging from quick dismissals to nonchalant indifference."Whatever.""Anything's fine.""You decide."However, her curt responses didn't seem to affect me. I kept messaging her every day—until half a month ago, when our chat finally went silent.It gave Wendy a strange feeling. Why had it been so long since I last texted her?She rec