14 End 2.0
Young Eleanor left a few days before my birthday.
And on that day, I finally met the person who had always wanted to see me.”
I sat in the wheelchair, rolling slowly and moving carelessly straight towards the hospital corridor.}]
“Eleanor!
“I’m back, Eleanor.”
A familiar voice called from behind me as if it had traveled for a thousand years. I froze, unable to turn around.}
Tears welled up instantly, blurring my vision. I had a vague guess, but I didn’t dare to believe it.”
I could hardly believe this was true.§
The TV in my room blared news about the CEO of Davis Group fleeing his wedding, rushing to a psychiatric hospital, leaving his bride crying helplessly at the altar.
“Eleanor, it’s me… I’m back.
“Won’t you look at me?”
Flashes of memories flickered in my mind.
“I will bring back the eighteen–year–old Benjamin.§
“The eighteen–year–old Benjamin who loved you the most.”
seemed that… she had really made it.
Someone hugged me from behind and I smelled the familiar scent again.
This made me realize that he was really my Benjamin.
The eighteen–year–old Benjamin was back.
He had returned to me.
“Eleanor, I’m sorry.
“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry…”
He kept repeating these words, and I should have been happy.
I should be glad that he was finally back.
He finally came back to me.
But the tears stopped almost immediately. From that initial surge of joy to a calm acceptance, it took just three seconds.
Three seconds that felt like an eternity.
I gently patted his hand and pointed at the TV still broadcasting the wedding news. “You should go back.§
“You don’t belong here.
“The eighteen–year–old Eleanor needs you.
“Not the present me.
“Go and don’t make her sad.“}
These cherished memories from our past would stay beautifully preserved, comforting me through my long, lonely days, filling my heart’s void D
That would be enough for me.
“I’m glad to see you.!
“Benjamin, don’t let Eleanor down, okay?!
“The eighteen–year–old Eleanor loves you very much.
“Very, very much.”
I suppressed my sobs and spoke calmly.!!
Benjamin didn’t leave in a hurry but stayed with me for a long time.
He seemed unable to believe that his future self would commit such terrible acts. He vomited repeatedly in the bathroom, and his eyes were red from crying.
“Eleanor, you’ve suffered.”
Standing before me was the young Benjamin, whose heart was full of love for me. He held my hand, trembling with guilt. “I’m so sorry…“” I shook my head and pulled my hand away. “This isn’t you.“}
“It’s me.“D
Benjamin lowered his head like a child who had made a mistake. He was blaming himself, blaming himself for not fulfilling what he promised me in the future.W
Mia was abandoned and became pregnant before marriage. The scandal spread like wildfire, leading to her expulsion from school. In desperation, she ran to see me and begged for my forgiveness.
“Get put.”
Sweetheart
These words were said by Benjamin, the eighteen–year–old Benjamin.
I clearly saw the sadness and devastation in Mia’s eyes.
“Why…?”
“Being a homewrecker, you’re shameless.“}]
Benjamin showed no mercy. He even had Mia jailed for causing me to lose my baby.“]
Benjamin stayed with me every day, and his work gradually lessened.}]
It seemed like everything had returned to the beginning.
But I knew. It was all an illusion.
“Go ahead, don’t keep her waiting any longer.”
Benjamin paused. “What about you?”
“I am fine.”
The eighteen–year–old Benjamin belonged to the eighteen–year–old Eleanor.
Not me.
I had completely lost the boy who loved me.
Benjamin left on a quiet afternoon.}
gently kissed his forehead.
Then I left the city.
In the following years, Benjamin seemed like a different person. He desperately searched for any trace of me, but fate always kept us apart.
We passed each other in the vast crowd.
He kept looking ahead, searching in vain.
I never looked back, walking steadily away.
