20
721words
I went to Bella's mother's hometown, only to be told she hadn’t shown up.
No, she must be here. Something in me just knew.
In the end, a stack of cash loosened her uncle’s lips.
He led me to a quiet courtyard — and there she was, sitting by the window.
This was where she wanted to live. Her final wish. I didn’t disturb the peace — I turned and walked away.
It took me two months to wrap things up at the company. Then I packed a small suitcase and came to this little mountain village.
Bella, I’m back!
However, for Bella, I was just a stranger.
I had to remind her who I was—every single day. To avoid upsetting her, I adapted to whatever role she needed me to play.
She was so thin. Sometimes I’d sit by her side the entire night, just watching her weary face.
I hated myself so much — with every fiber of my being.
When she was at her lowest, when she needed me most — I was the one who broke her heart.
And now I came back to make it up to her — when she could no longer even recognize me. But it was too late. No matter how good I was to her, no matter how much I loved her, she couldn't feel it anymore...
Until one day, she protected me with her thin body, patted my back to comfort me, and gave me everything good she had left.
That’s when I finally understood — memories can fade, but love… love lives in the bones. Bella's condition worsened . She forgot what happened just seconds ago.
Outbursts, refusing meds, long silences, accidents — they all became part of our daily routine.
She was only taking medication to protect the baby. To keep him safe, she refused even a single pill to treat her own illness.
This child might have cost Bella her life. There was a time I wanted to end the pregnancy.
But then I remembered the words Bella kept writing, again and again, whenever she was lucid —
[I want my child, I want my child, I want my child...]
After ten months of pregnancy, Bella gave birth to our son . Just as she wished, I named him Ethan Jr. Two days after giving birth, Bella seemed particularly sober. I told her that I was her husband, Ethan.
She trusted me so much and believed every word I said. And I whispered into her ear, again and again —
"Bella, I love you, love you, love you..."
This was what she had wanted to hear the most before.
A soft smile curved her lips — and in that moment, I knew she was happy. She was finally at peace.
I took Bella travelling across mountains, beside rivers. Fulfilling every promise I once broke.
Every time she woke up from a dream, I would gently tell her that I was Ethan.
Sometimes she would laugh at me for being silly and say that she knew I was Ethan.
Another winter arrived. . Snow blanketed our quiet little mountain village. Like all the winters before, Bella lay curled in my arms as we sat by the window, watching the snow fall outside.
In a faint voice, Bella murmured, "I've forgotten your name again."
A tear fell from the corner of my eye to the corner of her eye: "Ethan."
She reached out with trembling fingers and gently wiped my face.
"Why are you crying?" she asked softly.
“I’m afraid you’ll forget me,” I whispered. She smiled faintly: "Such a beautiful scene...such a good you. I’ll never forget."
I forced a smile through the ache in my chest and nodded. Her eyes held my reflection, as if she wanted to etch me into her soul.
"Bella, I know you're tired. Go to sleep. I’ll be right here..."
Before I could finish, the tears came — hot and endless.
She closed her eyes slowly, a soft smile still on her lips. Like she was simply falling asleep. I held her cold, still hand tight.
From that moment on, all warmth vanished — leaving behind only frost, and a heart buried in snow. In this life, I was destined to let the one who loved me most… down.
