The Returning Ex

As soon as Sophia saw the small dirt patch, tears poured down her face, her heart clenching. Slowly walking over, she put down the things in her hands. “I’m here to visit you, Grandpa.” Her control snapping, she sobbed aloud. “I’m divorced, but John gave me a lot of things as compensation. I now have plenty of money, so life is great.” Her voice broke as she added, “I’m even… pregnant.”

The wind was quite strong on the mountains, rustling the tree leaves around her. Thereafter, she could no longer utter a single word, merely kneeling before the grave, weeping. After crying for an indeterminate time, she then wiped her tears away. “If only you were alive, you could see my child. After all, you love children.”

Taking the flower she bought, she placed it in front of the grave marker. “My mother came back some time ago and asked for my phone number. She claimed to miss me, but I don’t miss them. I don’t need them. Since you’re gone, I don’t need anyone else. I can live alone.” Then, she promised, “In the future, I’ll live here with my child and keep you company. I won’t be going anywhere else.”

It was afternoon when Sophia arrived back home. Many villagers knew that she was back, so they all came to visit her. As her eyes were red and swollen from all the crying she did, they knew what had happened the moment they glimpsed her countenance. Mrs. Hensley came over. “I’ve cooked some delicious food at my house, Sophia. Why don’t you come over and eat?”

A tad exhausted, Sophia replied, “I’d like to rest for a while, Mrs. Hensley. I’m a bit tired after such a lengthy round trip.”

hurriedly nodded. “Yes, yes, of course. I forgot all about that! Go and rest first. I’ll

helped to settle his funeral.

the courtyard. An elderly man then started speaking of Sophia’s mother’s return

she interjected, “Acknowledge Sophia? In her dreams! What has she been doing all those years? Now that she has fallen on hard times, she comes back after

that well-off. Thus, she probably

just tell us if there’s anything you find difficult to express. We’ll act in your stead so that you don’t have to be caught in a difficult

trickled down Sophia’s face again, but she tried her utmost best to keep her control intact. “I won’t