When the Contract Ends in Goodbye Chapter 7

The next day, I arrived at the noodle shop as agreed.

I saw Leo dressed up with extra care.

I teased him about why he was dressed so formally today.

He smiled and said, "I have to dress up properly. You are the most important guest in our shop."

On the first day, we went hiking.

On the second day, we went to the old church in town.

Unfortunately, I failed to toss my coin into the wishing fountain. Leo took me to the wishing tree next to it to hang my wish card instead.

On the third day, we went to famous tourist spots.

He even brought a camera and took many photos of me.

On the fourth day, we went to the snack street at the night market.

I joked that the food here was much tastier than his pasta. He looked into my eyes and said, "I'll learn how to make it all. I'll cook it for you in the future."

On the fifth day, there was a fireworks show in town.

As I stood with Leo, someone delivered tickets for the best viewing area.

I asked Leo, "Did you arrange this too?"

Leo smiled, but shook his head. "No."

I froze.

Leo lowered his head again, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Actually, those things over the past few days weren't done by me."

No wonder. I had felt someone following me in the shadows these past few days.

"Actually, that day at the church, all the coins in the wishing fountain were cleared out, leaving only the center spot. Today's fireworks show was probably prepared by him too."

"But I was selfish. Since he prepared it, and you would probably like the fireworks, I brought you here."

Leo rambled on, explaining a lot.

I understood. He was a good man.

maybe it was love at first sight, or maybe I had slowly fallen for him over plate after plate of pasta.

He was still slowly explaining the events of the past few days.

Finally, he said one last thing.

"He should be over at the observation deck. You can take the ticket and go find him."

I had told him about the grievances I had suffered.

His eyes were red. He looked like he really didn't want me to go.

I took his hand and wiped away his tears.

He was hurting for me.

"I won't go find him."

For the first time, Julian learned that a person could feel burning heat and freezing cold at the exact same moment.

He stood in the distance. It was August, yet he felt like he had fallen into an ice cave.

But the moment he saw me run toward Leo, he felt his whole body turn cold.

He should have understood. We were divorced.

I would meet new people. I would start a new life.

But he still held onto a sliver of fantasy, imagining we could be together again.

After all, I used to love him so much.

Leo and I prepared to wander down the street.

Halfway there, we bumped into Julian.

He looked slightly disheveled.

He proposed a private talk with me. Leo said he would go buy some food.

But as he walked away, he looked back every three steps.

Julian stared at me without blinking.

He looked pathetic.

But thinking about what he had done to me, I just felt it was ridiculous.

I smiled at him. "You've wasted so many days here. Isn't Ava looking for you?"