Quiet Goodbyes, A Love Without Tomorrow

The moment I decided to leave Vincent Thompson,I made three bold moves.First,I listed all the expensive gifts he had given me up for free online—buyers only needed to pay for shipping.Second,I secretly sold the apartment we’d bought for our future at a fraction of its value and shredded the million-dollar custom wedding gown I had yet to wear.Third,I erased myself from the world,signing up for a classified,decade-long national research project that required cutting all ties with the outside world—maybe even forever.

By the time Vincent had meticulously planned his perfect proposal,I had already vanished from his life.He never realized it,but I was quietly preparing to leave with every embrace,kiss and night he didn’t come home while playing‘wedding’with his childhood sweetheart.I had become the obedient,accommodating woman he claimed to adore,only to have him shatter my trust.

One night,he finally lost control and asked me,“Why don’t you get angry anymore?Do you not love me anymore?”

I avoided his gaze,my lips tight.But when I heard the flirtatious voice note from his childhood sweetheart,Zoe Williams,echo from his phone,I calmly made the call to confirm my decade-long national research project.

——

“Claire Olivia,are you absolutely certain?”My professor’s tone was grave.“This research project is top-secret.It’s a ten-year commitment.Once you enter,you may never be able to leave or contact anyone outside again.”

His voice softened and serious as he added,“You are my most brilliant student.I have to ask you to think this through carefully.”

I stood outside a bridal boutique,watching Zoe wear the wedding dress I had spent months designing and commissioning.She stood beside Vincent,their faces pressed close as they posed for photos.

Vincent also imitated the veil-lifting kiss,they were following a trend he had seen online.Then,as if to hammer the knife deeper into my heart,he removed his ring—the one meant for me—and slipped it onto her finger.

A pang struck my heart,but it passed quickly,leaving behind only numbness.

“I’m sure,Professor,”I replied,my voice calm.“You know,I am an orphan with no family or attachments.This is an honour—a chance to give back to my country.What more could I ask for?”

A year ago,my professor had invited me to join this program.But back then,I had just accepted Vincent’s proposal and could not bear to leave.Now,there was nothing I cared about.

Relieved,my professor said,“I will arrange it for you on my side.But it is urgent,so they will come to pick you up in a week.Use this time to settle your affairs.Don’t leave anything unresolved.”

As I ended the call,Zoe’s voice floated over to me.“Vincent,you’re the best!I really love this dress so much!”

The dress she wore was the one I had dreamed of wearing—custom-made by a top designer,a one-of-a-kind piece that took months to create.The only one and I haven’t even worn it myself yet.

“It’s just a dress,”Vincent said gently,stroking her hair.“As long as you are happy.”

“But what if my sister-in-law sees?Won’t she be upset?”

Noticing me standing at the entrance,his face flashed with panic for a brief moment before quickly recovering.He released Zoe’s arm and said in a low voice,“Be a good girl.Go take it off and let her try it on.”

Zoe pouted,reluctant to part with the gown.“Just a little longer,please?She can wear it whenever she wants.I’ll never get the chance again.”

“Don’t be silly,”he replied,pinching her cheek with a laugh.“One day,you will find a boyfriend and have your own wedding dress to wear.”

“But who could ever compare to you,Vincent?”she said coyly.

They joked,without a care for my presence.

Afraid I would confront Zoe,Vincent impatiently turned to me,offering a flimsy explanation,“She’s just playing a wedding game,okay?Don’t get upset over this,okay?”

If this had been the past,I would have exploded—fighting,yelling,maybe even tearing the gown apart to ensure no one else could have it.But with my thought of leaving him only a week away,what was the point?Sometimes,silence was the loudest response.

For the first time,I was not angry.I was free.

Chapter 2

I lightly laughed and said to Vincent.“It’s just a wedding dress.If she likes it,then let her have it.”Then I left them as I said,“I’ve got work at the lab.I’ll head out now.”

Vincent froze,watching me leave without another word.

Later that evening,Vincent came to pick me up for the first time in months.He brought a small mango cake with him,holding it out like a peace offering.

But,the problem?I’m allergic to mango.

It’s Zoe who loved mango,not me.After all this time,he still didn’t know the difference.

“I am afraid you’d forget to eat while working,so I brought this for you,”he said,as though the cake could smooth things over.He wanted me to take the bait,to play along like I always did.

So I did.I smiled brightly,pretending to be touched.“Thank you so much!”

Vincent looked surprised that I didn’t argue or complain.

On the drive home,he glanced over at me.“Claire,are you mad at me?”

I was preoccupied with thoughts about the lab—wrapping up my project,preparing my notes and ensuring I left clear instructions for my junior colleagues.I did not hear his words well,so I let out an ah.

I apologized a little,“Sorry,I just got lost in thought.What are you talking about?”

Perhaps my tone was too rusty.

He slammed on the brakes and turned his head to look at me,“Are you still mad about that wedding dress?”

“Hmm?”I blinked,genuinely confused.“Why would I be?No,of course not.”

Vincent looked at me for a few seconds,searching my face for anger.But all he found was calm indifference.His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he started the car again.His voice,however,was hoarse.“You’ve changed.You’re not like this…not like you used to be.”

He was not wrong.

A year ago,after Zoe graduated and returned to our town,Vincent and I both changed.We fought endlessly because of her.He always said that he only treats Zoe as his little sister and told me not to be unreasonable.

“She’s like a little sister to me.Stop being so unreasonable!”he’d yell,defending her every time.

The most serious fight was the one where he got furious and pointed at me.

At that moment,he said,“Claire,you’re ridiculous!If I had anything going on with Zoe,would I even be with you?You’re just a broke student who depends on me for everything.If we broke up,how would you even survive?”

We had a cold war for a month.In the end,I swallowed my pride and begged for forgiveness.

But love doesn’t die all at once—it fades,bit by bit,like ice melting under the sun.Over the past year,the constant fighting and Zoe’s smug presence drained whatever feelings I had for him.

Now,I couldn’t even muster a reaction.

I smiled faintly.“You are right.I wasn’t very mature before.But I have grown up now.I will do better.”

Because soon,I wouldn’t be here at all,I thought.

Before going to bed that night,while Vincent was in the shower,I saw Zoe’s new post on her social media feed.

Nine photos.

She wore my wedding dress,smiling radiantly as she held onto my fiancé.

[Getting married to the one I love!]

Dozens of their friends liked the post.

Someone even commented,[Wait,isn’t that Vincent in the background?]

Zoe’s smug reply,[Yes!My brother favours me the most!]

I quietly liked the post,put my phone away and got ready for bed.

I just lay down briefly when the bed beside me dented.Vincent’s cold skin pressed against mine as he slid an arm around my waist.

“Claire...”he murmured.

I shifted slightly,putting space between us.Then I gently grabbed his hand and said,“Vincent,I’m tired tonight.I don’t want to.”

In all the years we had been together,I never refused him.

In the past,whenever we lost our temper,he would hold me tightly,whispering sweet nothings and asking me not to be jealous anymore.

But tonight,I felt nothing.

Chapter 3

It hit me that,with my decision to leave so close,none of this really mattered anymore.

After I turned him down that night,Vincent froze for a moment,his body stiff with tension.Perhaps his pride wouldn’t allow him to ask why I had rejected him.He just muttered a quiet“Okay”and turned his back to me.

That night,the space between us felt as far as the Milky Way.

The following day,Vincent was gone before I woke up.I don’t know if he was afraid I would be jealous of Zoe’s circle of friends.

But a surprise was waiting on the dining table—a plate of slightly burnt toast,a fried egg and a glass of milk—a rare gesture from someone who had never made breakfast.

Beside the plate was a sticky note:“For my wife—enjoy.”

My phone buzzed with a message from him,

Vincent:[Honey,I’ve put the wedding dress in the study.Try it on and send me a photo—I know you’ll look the most beautiful.]

I finished the toast(a bit charred but edible)and headed to a stationery store,where I bought a countdown calendar.Back home,I tore off the first page.There were six days left.

Then I got to work packing.

I started in the den,clearing away framed photos,books we’d shared and all the papers and trinkets we’d accumulated together.As I placed the last item in a box,something fell out—a diary.

Flipping through it,I saw pages filled with our happy memories—dates,anniversaries and little notes about the silly things we’d done.

The paper had yellowed slightly,but the memories were still vivid.I hesitated,then decided to leave it behind.

But that wedding dress?It mocked me,hanging there as if nothing had changed.I couldn’t resist grabbing a pair of scissors.I slashed the dress to shreds in a few swift,emotionless motions.

It felt oddly satisfying.

I took it a step further,listing all the expensive gifts Vincent had ever given me online—for free,as long as the recipients paid for shipping.By the time I’d finished packing,almost everything had been sold.I scheduled a courier to take it all away the next day.

That evening,my phone buzzed,reminding me that I had tickets at seven o’clock immersive play tonight.A popular one sold out for weeks.I’d booked the tickets long ago when I thought Vincent and I would go together.

I didn’t plan to ask Vincent if he was still going because he had long forgotten about it.Just before the show started,he texted that he was busy with work and asked me not to wait for him for dinner.

I rolled my eyes and went alone.Since I couldn’t get front-row tickets,my seat was in the right aisle,not too close to the stage.The play was incredible—a heart-wrenching love story about life and death.By the end,I was moved to tears.

When the play was about to end,the actors went to the stage to interact with the audience.A giant screen lit up,announcing a random audience member selected for interaction.The big screen showed that Vincent had been chosen and sat next to Zoe.

Oh,it turned out that work was busy accompanying Zoe.They also got the privilege to buy the front row.The spotlight shone on them and they looked perfect together—Vincent,sharp and handsome;Zoe,radiant and elegant.

The actors asked if they were a couple.Zoe giggled and leaned into Vincent’s arm,not even waiting for his response.The crowd roared with cheers and teasing.

The actor asked if they were touched.To cherish the people around them and,more importantly,their fate as a couple,they asked if they would like to kiss deeply,as in the play’s last scene.

Only frozen for a moment,Zoe smiled,tilted her head and kissed him with a smile,her lips brushing his in full view of everyone.

Not knowing what came to mind,Vincent flinched and pushed her away abruptly.He stood up,his expression unreadable and turned his head slightly.

Our eyes met across the theatre.

I felt...nothing.No anger,no sadness,just a faint sense of relief.I broke the gaze,grabbed my bag and left the theatre.

As I reached the exit,I heard hurried footsteps behind me.Vincent chased after me,his hair dishevelled from running.Perhaps it was because he saw that I was calm since the beginning.

Different from the past,he began to explain,“Claire—seriously,”he panted,trying to catch his breath.“Listen,it’s not what it looked like.There were so many people watching.I couldn’t embarrass her—or myself.”

I nodded,smiling lightly.“Uh-huh,I understand.”

He stared at me,confused.“Wait...Are you saying that,or are you just being sarcastic because you’re jealous?”

I laughed softly.“Vincent,what’s there to be jealous about?”

At this moment,Zoe also ran out,but because she was wearing high heels,she suddenly broke her foot when she was almost in front of us.

Chapter 4

“Vincent,it hurts so much,”Zoe whimpered,her voice soft and frail.

He hesitated,torn between wanting to help her and the fact that I was standing right there.His expression twisted into an uncomfortable mix of guilt and indecision.

I spoke first,breaking the tension.“If it hurts that badly,you should take her to a hospital.You wouldn’t want it to turn into something serious.”

My words surprised him—he wasn’t expecting me to be so calm,so understanding.

Vincent’s eyes softened as he reached for my hand.“I’ll take her to the nearby clinic and return for you.Wait for me at the entrance,okay?”

“Sure,”I replied lightly.

He looked at me for a moment as though searching for anger or reproach in my face.But I stayed composed,not giving anything away.Finally,he released my hand,scooped Zoe up in his arms and walked off.

I didn’t wait.I wasn’t going to play the fool this time.

As I was leaving,my phone buzzed with a call from a junior colleague at the lab.

“Miss Claire,we’ve got an abnormality in one of the experiments and no one can figure out what’s causing it.Could you come take a look?”

Without hesitation,I headed straight there.

Time flew as we worked through the problem and the sun was already rising when the wrong link was also found and repaired.

The younger researchers showered me with compliments.“Miss Claire,you’re a genius!”

Finally,they were reluctant to let me go again,“Miss Claire,are you really leaving for that classified research project?”

I nodded,“Yeah.”

“But what about your wedding?”one of them asked hesitantly.

“Are you really okay with leaving?”

I paused for a moment,then smiled.“The country’s work is more important.”

What I didn’t say was that,for Vincent,my presence or absence didn’t seem to matter anymore.

This world keeps spinning,with or without me.

Dragging my exhausted body home,I opened the door and she was again.

Zoe Williams.

She was wearing one of Vincent’s shirts.

When she saw me,she didn’t even flinch.“Don’t misunderstand,Claire,”she said casually.“After the clinic visit,it was really late.I didn’t want to go home since my parents were out of town.Vincent was just being considerate—he didn’t want me to be alone while I’m injured.”

Before I could respond,Vincent stepped out of the bathroom,his hair damp from a shower.When he saw me,probably thinking I would get upset again,his brows furrowed,bracing for another argument.

“Claire,”he sighed,“I don’t want to mess with you early in the morning.”

“She’s coming to work with me today and didn’t have anything to wear,so I lent her one of my shirts—”

“It’s fine,”I interrupted,cutting him off.

Both of them froze,caught off guard by my calm tone.

Vincent looked at me incredulously as if he felt my reaction was too calm.

He explained,“Last night,she slept in the guest room,”he said quickly,as though trying to preempt any accusations.“Don’t overthink things—”

I interrupted again,my voice steady.“I’m not overthinking.You two grew up together.You’ve always seen her as a sister.You even said the guest room is basically hers,open to her anytime and that she doesn’t need my permission to come over.I remember.”

Vincent faltered,the fight draining from his posture.When he spoke again,his tone was softer.

“I’m glad that you can think this way.I really want you and Zoe to get along.”

Before I could respond,the doorbell rang.It was the courier I had scheduled.

Vincent finally noticed the piles of boxes I’d packed and stacked neatly in the living room.

His expression darkened as he walked over to inspect them.

“Claire,what do you mean?”he demanded,his voice tight.“You don’t want all the things I gave you?”

I was just about to open my mouth to reply when he reached into one of the boxes and pulled out a small music box.Inside was a spinning figurine of a bride in a white wedding dress.

His hand trembled slightly as he held it up and I noticed his eyes reddening.

“You’re throwing this away too?”he asked,his voice barely a whisper.

That music box was from years ago,back when we had nothing.He couldn’t afford a grand gesture or a ring,but he’d given me that little box,promising,“One day,I will make you my bride.”

I had believed him.But reality gave me a slap in the face.

Love doesn’t work when there are three people in the relationship.It was too crowded.

And I didn’t want to stay anymore.

Chapter 5

To avoid unnecessary drama,I spoke gently,“You are overthinking it.I’m not throwing these things away.I’m letting the professionals do all the refurbishing for me.How could I not want them?”

Seeing the calm expression on my face,Vincent visibly relaxed.

“Okay,”he said,“I’ll arrange for someone to install a whole new set of cabinets at home to store these things properly.”

I nodded.“Aren’t you two heading to work?You should go.I need to catch up on sleep.”

With that,I turned and walked toward the bedroom,locking the door behind me before he could say anything else.

I tore another page off the countdown calendar when I woke up in the afternoon.There were five days left.

I got a message from my professor,asking me to look for him to discuss the publication of my recent SCI paper,which had just been released in a major journal.

Vincent,however,called out of the blue.I said I had to go to my university and he said he would be right downstairs and send me.

Zoe was already sitting in the passenger seat when I got to the car.

I hesitated for just a second before silently getting into the back.

Zoe’s laughter broke the silence.“Claire,don’t be upset.Vincent’s always let me ride up front.Back when he used to drive my dad’s car,I’d always sit in the passenger seat.They say sitting in the back makes it feel like you’re treating the driver like a chauffeur.It’s rude,you know?So,I got used to it.”

I was not upset .In fact,I smiled warmly.“You can sit there if you want.”

Vincent glanced at me several times through the rearview mirror,searching for a conversation starter.

“On the way here,”he began,“I saw this article about a med student named‘Olivia Claire.’Apparently,they published a groundbreaking paper that could create enormous value for the country.Funny enough,it’s in the same field as yours,late time.”

I didn’t respond.Olivia Claire was actually the pseudonym I used to publish my paper—a precaution my professor had insisted on for security reasons.

Before Vincent could press further,Zoe turned in her seat,her voice dripping with sweetness.

“Claire,you’ve been studying for so many years,but I haven’t heard about you achieving anything big like that.”She covering her mouth theatrically.“Oh no!I didn’t mean it like that.I just say things bluntly—no offense!”

Even Vincent’s gaze turned disdainful.

“Claire,”he said,his tone patronizing,“sometimes you have to accept that there’s a difference between people.You’ve been running yourself ragged for years,but it’s just aimless effort.After the wedding,why don’t you be a full-time housewife?I’ve reached a point in my career where you don’t need to work anymore.”

I offered a noncommittal response and turned my attention to my phone,replying to my professor’s messages.Their words no longer bothered me.

——

Two blocks from my university,Zoe asked to be dropped off.

“Thanks for the ride,Vincent.Love you!”she chirped,winking at me as she stepped out.

Then,winking at me specifically,“Sister,I am leaving first.”

I looked at the neighbourhood’s name and casually asked,“This isn’t the neighbourhood of our wedding house?”

“Oh,”Vincent replied lightly,“she’s probably visiting a friend.”

I didn’t press further.

Sensing my silence,he added,“She’s still injured,so I thought I’d drop her off on the way.Don’t be so petty.”

My expression remained calm and I said,“Oh,it’s perfectly normal for an older brother to give his sister a ride.Isn’t it?”

His words caught in his throat.

When we arrived at the university,Vincent pulled a large bouquet of flowers from the trunk and shoved it into my arms.

“I know you’ve been upset these past few days,”he said,his tone coaxing.“I’m sorry,okay?This is me making it up to you.”

“And if it’s about the wedding dress—you’re right.Let’s forget about it.I’ll have a re-custom one made for you by a top designer.How’s that?”

His face was full of expectation,as though I should feel grateful for his‘effort’.

I glanced at his phone,where he was scrolling through images of extravagant wedding gowns,but my interest had long since faded.

None of it mattered anymore.I was leaving soon.

I gently pushed his phone away and handed the flowers back to him.“Pick whatever you like. My professor is waiting for me.”

As I turned to walk away,Vincent grabbed my hand,“Claire,”he said,his voice trembling slightly,“what’s wrong with you?What’s really going on?”

For the first time,his expression was filled with confusion,even a hint of panic and loss.

Chapter 6

What’s wrong with me?

What was wrong was that I had already decided to leave.But I didn’t want to argue,so I patted Vincent’s hand gently.

“We’ll talk about it after I’m done,okay?”

——

My professor was thrilled with the success of my latest paper.

“This is incredible work!But...are you sure you’re ready for the research institute?Life there can be dull,you know.Experiments and data,day in and day out—can you handle the isolation?”

I nodded,the memory of Vincent’s condescending attitude in the car still fresh in my mind.

I straightened my posture and spoke with quiet determination.“Don’t worry,Professor.I won’t lose your face.”

“You?”He chuckled,shaking his head.“You’re one of the best—handpicked for this role by the government itself!Let me be clear:I’m the lucky one to have you on my team.”

Leaving his office,I spotted my junior colleague scowling in the window.

“What’s wrong?”I asked.

“Miss Claire,”she fumed,“wasn’t that your boyfriend I just saw outside?He was sharing a cup of bubble tea with a woman!That’s so inappropriate—doesn’t he care about boundaries?Isn’t this basically betrayal?”

I smiled faintly.“It’s fine.That’s his…sister.”

Her eyebrows shot up.“Sister?”

I understood her disbelief.Vincent had lost both his parents when he was young and Zoe’s family had taken pity on him,offering him shelter.Later,when Vincent became successful,he naturally helped Zoe,his so-called sister.

But my junior colleague wasn’t convinced.Her indignation only grew.“Really funny!Sister?Yeah,right!This is classic green tea behavior.Senior,let me handle this for you—!”

I quickly grabbed her arm.“Don’t act rashly.”

After all,I’d tried that before.I’d argued,fought and accused,only for Vincent to look at me coldly and say,“Claire,you’re being ridiculous.You,of all people,should understand my relationship with Zoe.Jealousy like this is beneath you.”

He was right—jealousy was meaningless.Especially now.I didn’t want to stir up any trouble before I left.

So,I told my junior there were still a few days before I left and asked her to help me keep it a secret.

She hesitated.“So…are you still going through with the wedding?”

I shook my head.

“No,”I said softly.“I’m leaving.There’s no point.”

The words just fell.

Before I could explain further,Vincent’s voice came from behind me.

“Claire,where are you leaving?”