I approached and started a conversation:
“You’re my dad’s friend, when I was little you used to carry me around.”
Noah smiled innocently. I bought him ice cream and asked about his studies.
He said:
“My mom often works extra hours at night, but she loves me very much.”
My heart sank.
That evening, I called Sophie.
Her number was the same.
When I said, “I’m Ethan,” there was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds.
“Are you… back?”
“Yeah. Can we meet?”
We met at an old cafe near the beach, where we used to hang out during our college days.
Sophie arrived, thinner and paler than before, without makeup or jewelry.
But her eyes were still the same — gentle, deep, and sad.
“You’ve changed a lot.”
“Me too.”
We talked like two strangers.
I saw a bit of regret in her eyes.
I thought: “The plan is working.
The next few days, I took the initiative to pick up Noah.
At first Sophie objected, but I said I just wanted to be near her.
She reluctantly agreed.
I bought toys, told stories, took her to the park.
One time, Noah said:
“Daddy, mommy cries a lot alone, but she says it’s okay.”
I paused.
A month later, I invited Sophie to dinner.
I planned to show off my achievements, then turn around and leave so she could regret it.
But when I saw her walk in in a simple old dress, her eyes warm,
all the harsh words I had prepared… disappeared.
Instead of insulting, I just asked:
“Are you okay living like this?”
She smiled softly:
“It’s not okay. But I accept it. I was wrong, and I’m paying the price.”
Those words were like a knife piercing my heart.
A week later, I went to her house to pick up my child.
That day, Sophie invited me to stay for dinner.
The house was still small, but cozy and clean.
On the table were a few simple dishes — fried eggs, squash soup, tofu with tomato sauce —
but to me, it was the best meal in years.
While we were watching a movie, Noah asked:
“Dad, did Mom and Dad break up because Mom was ugly?”
I was stunned.
Sophie came out of the kitchen, heard, and smiled sadly:
“Maybe… it’s time to tell the truth.”
She looked at me:
“Do you remember when I said I loved someone else?”
“I remember. How could I forget.”
“You lied. There was no one.”
I was stunned.
“Why did you lie?”
Sophie took a deep breath:
“That’s when I found out I had early-stage thyroid cancer.
The doctor said it could be cured, but not sure.
I’m afraid I’ll become a burden.
