14
I walked Mark’s parents to the airport.
I spoke after they left.
“I’m leaving too, Mark.”
Mark nodded. “Okay. I’ll take you home.”
I backed away.
“I’m going to Ireland.”
He stopped.
“Professor Lee needs me for his project.”
He didn’t seem to hear me.
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it uiuTTE SOCI LU nical me.
“When did you know? Why didn’t you tell
me?”
“I decided it on my birthday.”
He finally understood.
He clenched his fists, voice shaking.
“After you… left the party?”
I grunted.
Mark breathed deeply and shook.
“When are you coming back?”
“Maybe three years.
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く
“Three years…”
He repeated.
“That’s not too long. I’ll wait for you to come
back. If you’re interested in Ireland, I’ll…”
“I want to break up.”
“”
The wind blew through my hair, making his
vision blurry.
I watched him and saw his chest rising and
falling, even though he was a meter away.
“But… we already got engaged in front of my
parents!”
“I know.”
Г
I smiled, pulling out a key, taking his hand,
and placing the key in it.
“This is my key. When you get home, check
under the shoe rack. I left the two red
envelopes there, and my ring.
I don’t mean to hold it against you, but this
part of us is over.
I packed my stuff. Everything else is up to
you, I won’t come back.
I’m leaving, Mark. I hope you become a
professor soon.”
I touched his back and turned away.