Ex-wife, Please Come Back

Jacob's longings and love for Alice ebbed away while he was waiting for her return for four years. Back then, he was of the belief he would be in love with Alice for the rest of his life. He couldn't envision a future without her.

When people were young, they were often naïve. They mistook their first love to be everlasting.

But life had other plans. When unexpected situations were presented, people moved on. After all, four years was a long time. His new life bore resemblance to his old life. And as a consequence, his feelings had changed.

He couldn't quite describe how he had moved on. It happened without him knowing.

Jacob was deep in thought. His gaze went to Alice. At that moment, memories came back to him unbidden and unwanted. He had thought he had forgotten everything. But it turned out he had a vivid memory of the past.

He wondered whether storing these memories was of any use. 'Perhaps, it will help me make better decisions in the future, ' he reasoned.

He recollected when he had parted with Alice. He had taken an oath to stay away from her. Even then, he knew this relationship was beyond repair.

If they broke up, he had wanted to break up for good. He planned on never looking back. In spite of his wise decision, his heart still ached.

Some situations compelled people to make a ruthless decision. As his resolve wavered, Jacob's heart began to plead to keep her.

Back then, he clung to love. With her departure, he thought he would lose his ability to love. After all, what was life without love? It was nothing! He would be akin to a walking corpse.

"I'm fine," Alice said, snapping him back from his reverie. Tears were trickling down her cheeks. Jacob watched her in horror.

Watching her upset made him upset too. He couldn't believe he still cared about Alice. But he told himself there was nothing wrong with it. Her vulnerability could make anyone sympathetic towards her. He gazed at her, feeling a little nervous.

"Are you in pain?" he asked, mustering up some courage.

The doctor regarded the two of them. Clearing his throat, he said, "Hello, mister. Is this how you treat your wife? You have done an awful job taking care of her. Pregnant women require lots of care. She is carrying your child! Does that mean nothing to you?"

doctor's words, tears rolled down her cheeks. Jacob cast

were someone else, he wouldn't have been so nervous. But Alice wasn't just someone. She was the woman he

anymore, he couldn't see her sad. After all, he still remembered those years he had

A feeling of helplessness began to creep up on him.

he had once wished to spend the rest of his life with. He

feelings for her. And Alice wasn't willing to accept this. Jacob was

up in his heart. It took time to fall for someone. The concept of life was similar to a philosophical theory. A quantitative change would lead to qualitative

life. His

silence had overtaken everyone in the ambulance. Jacob was a

him her husband. However, he thought it was best to not correct him. Alice already looked so

of relief when they

gazing after her. He had assumed Alice would opt for adoption. This, however, was a shock for

sensed an irony in this.

Try as he might, he couldn't become cruel to Alice. But he wouldn't mistake

wish her ill. He couldn't leave her alone in this condition. He knew she wished

day, Alice woke up.

the middle of the night, the doctor came out of the ward.

sitting on a chair, his eyes glued to the street lamps in the distance. Since it was late, the

snapped him from his reverie. He stood up immediately. He was eager to know the result. Yet at the same

you a relative of the patient?" the doctor asked, standing before him.

that man. However, the doctor's stiff body language detained him from doing so.

actually. Doctor, so tell

may have bumped into something hard. As a consequence, the baby is no more." The doctor was solemn. He didn't rebuke Jacob anymore. But from the cold manner he spoke, one could