I Don't Love Her Anymore, She Regrets It

The day I got the call from the hospital about a possible stomach cancer, my girlfriend was out on a date with another guy.

I asked her to come to the hospital with me.

She coldly turned me down, saying, “It’s just a check-up. No need to be so dramatic.”

In that moment, I decided to let her go.

And that’s when she started to love me.

——

I’d been having stomach issues for a while and went to the hospital for an endoscopy. My girlfriend, Vivian Aiken, knew about it.

The doctor said I’d need someone to be with me for the general anesthesia, but Vivian wouldn’t come, saying she was too busy with work.

I wasn’t too upset at first. Vivian’s always been a workaholic.

But everything changed when the doctor pulled me aside to tell me they suspected stomach cancer.

I was terrified and desperately needed someone by my side.

I called Vivian, barely able to speak before she coldly shot me down, “It’s just a check-up. You’re an adult. Don’t be so dramatic.”

I could hear Howard Conner’s voice in the background. She wasn’t busy with work. She was out with another man.

I lost it and had a huge argument with her.

As usual, she accused me of being overly suspicious, “Howard and I are just childhood friends. Why do you always have to be so paranoid?”

And then she blocked me.

She always did that. She would block me whenever we fought.

But I never blocked her, afraid that if I did, she might actually leave me for good.

I sat alone in a corner of the hospital, clutching the diagnosis slip, feeling like the whole world had turned its back on me.

Later, I packed a few clothes and took a leave from work to head to Boston’s top hospital.

I underwent further tests, and the doctor took a tissue sample for analysis. I spent a dark week in a small motel outside the hospital.

Finally, I received some good news.

The doctor told me that Portland Hospital had made an error. I only had gastritis, not cancer. With continued medication, I would recover.

At that moment, it felt like I had the whole world back.

Vivian unblocked me on the train ride back to Portland and sent a message.

[Let’s have dinner tonight.]

She also included a reservation for a restaurant.

I knew she was trying to make amends.

It was always like this. She was always in control of our relationship.

No matter how unreasonable her actions were or how much pain I felt, a small gesture from her was enough to make me forgive her immediately.

Over the years, my love had been so submissive.

She was like a puppeteer, and I was her paper doll, with my emotions completely under her control.

But this time, I didn’t feel the usual joy. I simply replied.

[Okay.]

I tossed my phone aside, not sending multiple sweet messages like I used to.

When I got home, I quickly freshened up and went to bed. The doctor had said that managing my stomach issues required a good mindset and plenty of rest.

I slept until six in the evening.

Remembering the dinner with Vivian, I dragged myself out of bed. In the past, I’d have spent a lot of time getting ready, fussing over my hairstyle and outfit.

This time, I just threw on some clothes and went out, forgetting to shave.