{"id":179,"date":"2025-02-15T12:40:26","date_gmt":"2025-02-15T12:40:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=179"},"modified":"2025-02-15T12:40:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-15T12:40:26","slug":"179","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=179","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"
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or illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Painful memories. I could still see my mother lying in a hospital bed, her strength fading with each passing day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I had been just a little girl, helpless, unable to do anything but watch as she slipped away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I shook my head, forcing the thoughts aside. This was just a routine check-up after recovering from the flu.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Nothing more. I sat in the waiting room, restless, counting the seconds until my name was called. Then, a man sat down beside me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I glanced at him\u2014and froze. His eyes were the most beautiful I had ever seen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He noticed me staring and lifted an eyebrow, his lips curving into the hint of a smile.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d I blurted out. \u201cYou have such beautiful eyes. I got lost in them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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My hands flew to my face. My cheeks burned. Why had I said that out loud?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t know why I said that,\u201d I mumbled into my palms, squeezing my eyes shut. Maybe if I didn\u2019t look at him, the moment would pass.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Silence. Then a chuckle. I peeked through my fingers. He was smiling. His eyes\u2014those same beautiful eyes\u2014sparkled with amusement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cNo one has ever flirted with me in a hospital before,\u201d he said, his voice light.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThat wasn\u2019t flirting!\u201d I protested, shaking my head. \u201cYou really do have beautiful eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cStill sounds like flirting,\u201d he said, his grin widening.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I groaned. \u201cI swear, I wasn\u2019t trying to.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He held out a hand. \u201cPaul.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I hesitated for only a second before shaking it. \u201cLinda.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His grip was warm, firm. I felt something flutter in my chest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cSo, what brings you here, Linda?\u201d Paul asked.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cJust a check-up after the flu,\u201d I said. \u201cYou?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cPicking up some test results,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A pause. I hesitated, then asked, \u201cAnything serious?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He shook his head. \u201cIllnesses tend to stay away from me,\u201d he said with a grin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I smiled. I wanted to stay, to keep talking. But just then, a nurse called my name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cLooks like it\u2019s my turn,\u201d I said. \u201cIt was nice meeting you.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul glanced around, grabbed a magazine, and tore out a page.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d I asked, laughing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He scribbled something, then handed it to me. \u201cI really wish that had been flirting,\u201d he said. \u201cGuess I\u2019ll have to take matters into my own hands.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I looked down. His phone number.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A smile spread across my face. \u201cI\u2019ll call,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ll be waiting,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cGood luck with your results,\u201d I said, standing up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m immortal,\u201d Paul said with a wink.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I laughed as I walked into the doctor\u2019s office, my heart still racing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I wanted to be the kind of woman who played it cool, who waited a few days before calling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about Paul\u2014his smile, his laugh, the way his eyes lit up when he spoke. By the time evening rolled around, I gave in and dialed his number.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He picked up on the first ring. \u201cI was starting to think you wouldn\u2019t call,\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI almost didn\u2019t,\u201d I admitted. \u201cBut here we are.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cHere we are,\u201d he echoed, his voice warm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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That phone call led to our first date. Then another. And another. With each one, I fell harder.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul had a way of making me feel special, like I was the only person in the world. He listened when I talked.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He made me laugh until my sides ached. I had never felt so understood, so wanted. He always knew when I needed coffee, when I was cold, when I was tired.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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After a few dates, we stopped pretending it wasn\u2019t serious. We were together. And from the very first date, I knew\u2014Paul was the man I wanted forever.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Months passed. Our relationship grew deeper, stronger. One evening, we were lying on my couch, his arms wrapped around me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The sound of his heartbeat filled the quiet room. I traced small circles on his chest, my thoughts racing. My heart was so full it ached. If I didn\u2019t tell him how I felt, I might burst.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cPaul,\u201d I said softly, my heart pounding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cYes, honey?\u201d he replied, his voice warm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I hesitated, taking a deep breath. \u201cI have something to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his lips. \u201cOh no, am I in trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cDepends on how you look at it,\u201d I said, meeting his gaze. His beautiful eyes searched mine. I could see a flicker of nervousness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I reached for his hand, holding it tight. \u201cI love you, Paul,\u201d I said. \u201cI love you more than I\u2019ve ever loved anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His smile grew wide. His fingers brushed my cheek.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cAnd why would that be a problem?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cBecause now you\u2019re stuck with me,\u201d I said. \u201cForever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul let out a soft laugh. \u201cThat sounds perfect to me,\u201d he said. He pulled me closer and kissed me. \u201cI love you too,\u201d he whispered. \u201cMore than anything.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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That night, wrapped in his arms, I felt like the happiest woman alive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But happiness can be fragile. And mine was about to break.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Less than a week after we confessed our love, Paul vanished from my life. He stopped answering my calls, ignored my texts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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At first, I thought he was busy. But as hours turned into days, worry clawed at my chest. I called him again and again, my fingers trembling each time. Nothing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Panic set in. I imagined him hurt, lying in a hospital bed, alone. Maybe he had been in an accident.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Maybe something terrible had happened. I was seconds from calling hospitals, maybe even the police, when my phone buzzed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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@Paul<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I\u2019m fine. But I need you to stop calling and texting me.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I stared at the screen, my heart racing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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@Me<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Are you joking? Where have you been all this time???<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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@Paul<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It doesn\u2019t matter. Just stop texting me.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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@Me<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Can you at least explain?<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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@Paul<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I don\u2019t love you. I lied. I don\u2019t want you in my life.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The words hit me like a punch to the stomach. My hands shook as I read them over and over. I tried calling again. Straight to voicemail. I tried again. Blocked.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I sat frozen, tears spilling onto my lap. The man I loved had thrown me away like I was nothing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He had lied to me, used me, made me believe we had something real. I cried every day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Then, weeks later, I found it. A note tucked inside my drawer. My breath caught as I unfolded it, recognizing Paul\u2019s handwriting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I hope you find this note when you\u2019re feeling sad. I love you, Linda, and I always will. I hope this makes you feel a little better\u00a0\ud83d\ude42<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tears blurred my vision. If he never loved me, why would he write this?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I needed answers. I grabbed my keys and drove straight to his place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I banged on his door, shouting his name. The neighbors peeked out, frowning. I didn\u2019t care. I wasn\u2019t leaving without the truth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Finally, the door opened.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A man stood in front of me\u2014thin, weak, almost unrecognizable. His skin was pale, his cheeks hollow. My heart pounded. Then I looked into his eyes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It was Paul.\u00a0My Paul.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His expression was unreadable. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d His voice was rough, barely above a whisper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I reached out, my fingers grazing his cheek. His skin was warm but fragile, like he might break. \u201cWhat happened to you?\u201d I whispered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul took a small step back. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter. Please, go.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I shook my head. \u201cI\u2019m not leaving! I deserve the truth!\u201d My voice cracked.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His hands clenched into fists. \u201cI\u2019m dying!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The words hit me like ice. \u201cWhat?\u201d My legs felt weak.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul sighed and stepped aside. \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I walked in, my breath shallow. The apartment was dim, lifeless. I turned to him. \u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He lowered himself onto the couch. \u201cI have cancer. I\u2019m dying.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I gripped the edge of a chair, my body trembling. \u201cHow long have you known?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His eyes met mine. \u201cSince the day we met.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I swallowed hard. \u201cHow could you keep that from me? That\u2019s so selfish!\u201d Anger and pain clashed inside me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul ran a hand through his thinning hair. \u201cThe doctors thought treatment would work. I believed them. But it\u2019s not working. It\u2019s getting worse. I didn\u2019t want you to go through this again. Not after your mom.\u201d His voice wavered. \u201cThat\u2019s why I pushed you away.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tears blurred my vision. \u201cBut you did hurt me. You lied. You told me you didn\u2019t love me!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul\u2019s face twisted in pain. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cHow long?\u201d I asked, my voice shaking.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cA week. Maybe days,\u201d he said, tears slipping down his face.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I gasped. \u201cOh God, Paul,\u201d I whispered. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He held me close. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said again. \u201cI love you, Linda.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cYou should have told me,\u201d I said, my voice breaking. \u201cI should have been there.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Paul pressed his forehead to mine. \u201cYou already gave me more happiness than I ever deserved.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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That night, Paul lay in my arms, calling himself an idiot, saying that just being near me made him feel better.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His voice was weak, his body frail, but he still tried to smile. I held him close, whispering over and over, \u201cI love you, Paul. I love you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His fingers curled around mine, his grip light. His breathing slowed, becoming softer, quieter. Then, it stopped.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I heard his last breath. And with it, a part of me died too. The room felt empty. Cold. I held him, unable to let go.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone\u2019s life.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n