On the day of my wedding anniversary with Julian Whitmore, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

In the final stretch of life, waiting is truly agonizing.

Next time, later... Julian, this time, I don’t want to wait any longer.

We don’t have a later.

…

I stood on the street, holding the stomach cancer diagnosis report.

As cars rushed by, I dialed Julian’s number.

“Julian, come home for dinner tonight. You haven’t had a meal at home in a long time.”

On the other end of the line, I could hear glasses clinking.

“I can’t make it tonight. Maybe in a few days. I’ve been really busy these past few days.”

“Okay.”

After that, Julian hung up.

I stared at the slowly darkening screen of my phone, wrapped my coat tighter, and stood by the bus stop, waiting for the bus.

Today was our fifth wedding anniversary. At this point, it seemed like he’d forgotten.

Lost in thought, the bus pulled up in front of me.

Watching the hurried crowd getting on and off, I suddenly felt like I didn’t want to go home anymore.

I stood up and started walking aimlessly down the street. I had no idea how long I had walked, but when I looked up, I found myself in front of a beef noodle soup shop—the place Julian and I used to frequent when we first came to this city to build our lives.

Back then, we barely had any money.

We had so little that Julian would always buy just one meal, telling me he wasn’t hungry.

“Little lady, is that you?”

I snapped out of my thoughts as the shop owner stepped out, smiling at me.

Since it wasn’t mealtime, the shop was almost empty.

“One bowl of beef noodle soup, please.”

He nodded and quickly turned to cook the noodles.

He worked quickly, chatting with me while preparing the meal.

“Where’s that young man? Isn’t he with you?”

I lowered my head, my tears threatening to fall.

“He’s busy with work.”

The owner didn’t say anything more. Before long, the steaming bowl of noodles was placed in front of me.

I stared at the hot bowl of noodles, picked up a bite, and put it in my mouth.

I didn’t know if it was from the steam, but my tears started flowing uncontrollably.

After just two bites, my stomach began to ache.

I set down my chopsticks, thanked the owner, and left.

At home, Luna wagged her tail and jumped into my arms, knocking me slightly off balance.

She was the Samoyed Julian and I bought when we first settled in this city.

I stroked her, feeling a sharp pain in my stomach. Cold sweat dripped onto the floor.

Luna seemed to sense something was wrong and curled up quietly in my arms, not moving.

I stood up, dragging myself to the bed, and Luna followed, whimpering a few times.

Lying down, I tried to curl up, but the pain didn’t lessen. If anything, it made me feel nauseous.

I hurriedly got up and ran to the bathroom. Just as I reached it, a wave of nausea hit, and I vomited blood into the sink.

I remembered what the doctor had told me at the hospital.

There was a chance I could live a few more days if I underwent surgery. Without it, I’d only have two or three months at most.

I had always had stomach problems. I thought it was just the result of too many drinks over the years with Julian, but I never paid it much attention. Only recently, when I kept throwing up blood and couldn’t eat, did I decide to get checked.

After vomiting, I returned to the bed. The blanket was thick with Julian’s scent. I closed my eyes, and the tears flowed uncontrollably.

But I thought, it must be because of the pain.

Because Julian hadn’t been home in so long.

I took a painkiller, closed my eyes, and drifted into a heavy sleep.

I don’t know how long passed, but I suddenly felt someone holding me tightly.

I opened my eyes to find Julian beside me. He had drunk a lot, lying next to me with his eyes closed.

The nausea in my stomach was overwhelming. I pushed him aside and ran to the bathroom, vomiting everything up.

When I finally returned from cleaning the bloodstains in the bathroom, Julian had opened his eyes.

He was leaning gently against the headboard, watching me.

“Elena, you’re awake?”

I nodded lightly.

“Are you angry? Those clients today were a real pain. Tomorrow, I’ll come home and have dinner with you, I promise.”

I didn’t respond, walking over to my side of the bed and lying down.

The painkiller didn’t seem to help much. After vomiting, the dull ache in my stomach returned.

I didn’t have the energy to speak, curling up and facing away from Julian.

He was upset and turned my body towards him, doing so forcefully.

“I work myself to exhaustion every day so you can live a good life. I promised you, Elena, I’ll make sure you live a good life.”

I didn’t have the strength to resist or say anything back. My stomach twisted in pain again.

I stopped struggling, letting his grip guide me as I leaned against him.

Yes, he had promised, and he would make sure I lived a good life.

Julian held me tenderly, and I smelled the faint scent of perfume on him.

It was Burberry’s women’s fragrance, the one I used to love the most.

I didn’t say anything, simply closed my eyes.

Julian shifted and held me tighter.

After a while, I heard his soft snoring.

I lay there, wide-eyed, unable to sleep, my stomach aching and the faint perfume scent keeping me awake.

I stared at the ceiling, feeling like the night was dragging on forever.

Through the window, I saw a faint glow from the streetlights outside.

Time passed slowly, and after what felt like an eternity, the sky started to lighten just a little.

Julian was still sound asleep, holding me tightly in the same position.

I buried my head deeper into his chest. Julian, in the time that’s left, I just wish you could stay by my side.

My parents left when I was very young. After Julian’s career began to take off, he didn’t want me to tire myself out, so I quit my job and stayed home alone.

I don’t like socializing, and I don’t have any friends. There’s no one to talk to.

I only have him. I only have Julian.

A little while later, the sun had fully risen. Luna was at the door, scratching at it with her claws.

Julian opened his eyes.

“She’s punctual, isn’t she? She always wants to eat at this time.”

With that, he let go of me and stood up to head to the living room, where he fed Luna.

When he returned, I spoke up.

“Julian, can you stay with me a little longer?”

“Elena, just wait two more months, okay? Wait for two more months, and I’ll give you a big surprise.”

He didn’t take my words seriously, pulling on his shirt and rolling up his sleeves before heading to the kitchen.

A while later, he brought over a cup of hot milk and set it on my nightstand.

“I’m off to work. There’s a project tonight, so I won’t be home for dinner. Remember to drink the milk.”

Julian, two months… I don’t know if I can wait that long.

I watched him walk away, only hearing the door slam shut behind him.

I turned my gaze to the cup of milk on the nightstand, watching as the steam slowly disappeared.

Luna came running in from the door and lay down next to my bed.

I knew she was waiting for me to take her out for a walk.

I grabbed a painkiller, picked up the now-cold milk, and swallowed the pill.

After half an hour, I stood up, changed clothes, and led Luna downstairs.

I watched it run around, carefree, and suddenly felt a pang of reluctance.

After I leave, Julian will be able to take care of himself, but what about Luna?

What will happen to Luna once there's a new woman in the house?

For all these years, I've treated Luna like my own child. If I die, that's one thing, but what will happen to Luna?

After walking Luna, I returned home, took off my clothes, and felt a bit hungry.

I walked to the kitchen and saw the pots and pans from breakfast, left untouched by Julian.

I didn’t feel like cleaning, so I boiled some noodles, placed them on the table, and ate them slowly, bit by bit.

After just a few bites, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. I put down the chopsticks and drank a few sips of warm water.

The pain eased a little after the water.

I went back to the bedroom and lay down on the bed.

My phone rang, and I picked it up. It was the doctor from yesterday.

“Have you thought it over? Weren’t you supposed to bring a family member today?”

“He’s too busy, he won’t be able to make it today.”

I was about to hang up.

“Then come over on your own for now. I’ll prescribe some medicine to ease the pain.”

“No need.”

“Just take something for the pain first. Even with conservative treatment, medication is necessary. Please come over.”

She hung up before I could say more.

I thought about it for a moment, then reluctantly got out of bed, put on my shoes, and took the bus to the hospital.

Julian bought me a car, but I’ve never driven it.

Being on the road alone felt daunting, and he didn’t have the time to teach me.

The hospital was soon in sight. I got off the bus, registered, and returned to the same clinic as yesterday.

“You’re here?” she asked.

I nodded and sat in the chair across from her.

“I suggest you get admitted as soon as possible. It’ll help ease the pain. Where’s your family member? Didn’t they come?”

“He’s too busy. Too busy to come. I don’t need to be admitted. Just give me some painkillers so I can sleep.”

“With such a serious condition, what could be more important than this? You should take better care of your body…”

She looked at my pale face, hesitating, her mouth opening and closing a few times before she ultimately said nothing more.

She typed something on her computer and handed me a prescription.

“Call me if anything comes up.”

I took the prescription, thanked her, and left.

By the time I got home with the medication, it was already the afternoon.

I knew I should eat something, but I had no appetite. After following the instructions to take the medicine, I quickly fell into a heavy sleep.

When I woke up, I checked my phone. It was already 2 a.m. I hadn’t slept that long in ages.

Julian still wasn’t home.

I was a little hungry. There were some muffins in the fridge, Julian’s favorite, frozen for who knows how long.

I felt a bit dazed. How long had it been since Julian came home for a meal? It had been a long, long time.

Once the muffins were done, I ate a few but couldn’t eat any more. I looked at Luna’s food bowl, and it was empty.

It seemed like she knew something was wrong. She’d been unusually calm these past few days, lying there without moving.

I went to refill her food bowl and fed her the leftover muffins.

Then I looked up and saw her soaked pee pad, so I changed it.

After finishing all that, I checked my phone again. It was already 3 a.m.

I sat down on the couch with my phone.

No messages, no calls from Julian.

I hesitated for a moment before calling him.

The phone was quickly answered, but no one spoke. All I could hear was the faint sound of snoring. Even through the static, I recognized that sound.

It was Julian.