Chapter 27: Anna

Jonathan woke with a start, calling out Anna's name. His grandfather sat by the bed, his face grim.

"Jonathan," he said, "from now on, focus on your work, take care of your health, and stop looking for Anna."

Jonathan coughed weakly, his voice hoarse. "Why?"

"She's my wife! I signed the divorce papers, so we're still married. If I'm persistent enough, if I'm sincere, she'll forgive me eventually!"

"She's stubborn enough; she'll come back to me."

"Enough!" his grandfather interrupted sharply. He pulled out a recording of his conversation with Anna and played it for Jonathan. Anna's voice filled the room, shattering Jonathan's confidence. Even after the recording ended, silence remained.

For a long time, Jonathan muttered to himself, "No, impossible, impossible. I need to find Anna, I have to see her. I need to tell her that she's the only one for me, that I've only loved her."

Ignoring everything, Jonathan got out of bed, ripping the IV needle from his arm. He dragged his frail body toward the door. His grandfather didn't try to stop him, knowing full well Jonathan wouldn't get far. Soon, after a few steps, Jonathan collapsed on the floor. The wounds on his back, which had just begun to heal, tore open again, blooming with fresh blood.

Gritting his teeth, his eyes bloodshot, Jonathan forced himself to stagger forward, but he only managed a few steps before collapsing again.

His grandfather shook his head. "Take him back to bed and keep close watch on him. Make sure he rests and recovers. He's not allowed out." After giving the order, his grandfather poured a few pills into Jonathan's mouth. His health wasn't great either; he'd retired to focus on recovery and hadn't expected to still be dealing with such troubles at his age. He lay down in the next room, letting the doctors and nurses attend to him.

Three days later, Jonathan's health improved, and he tried to escape again. But he didn't get far before his grandfather's men caught him and brought him back.

"Jonathan, let it go," his grandfather said, dressed in hospital attire, his face even paler than before. Jonathan stood silently, rooted to the spot, no longer trying to flee.

"Jonathan," his grandfather continued, "I don't have much time left. I don't know how much longer I can stay with you. Consider this my final wish—don't look for Anna. Let her go, and let yourself heal."

Hearing this, Jonathan's grandfather's gaze was unreadable. After a long pause, he finally forced out an answer: "Alright. I won't look for her anymore."

With that promise, his grandfather seemed to release a heavy burden and slumped down. Jonathan stayed by his grandfather's bedside, promising, "Grandfather, I'll take care of the family from now on."

After spending his grandfather's final days with him, Jonathan became even colder. When Anna was still in his life, he had moments of lightness and even occasional smiles. Now, he exuded constant chill.

Jonathan turned into a machine, throwing himself into work. Except for hospital checkups, he practically lived at the office. Under his leadership, the company flourished. The love story that once made countless people envious faded into obscurity. Only Jonathan still wore his wedding ring. When someone asked, he would smile warmly and say, "I need to finish work and get back early," but he rarely returned to that cold, empty home. Without Anna, home was no different from anywhere else. "I'm married. We're very much in love. She's waiting for me at home," he'd say. Those who knew the truth thought he was crazy; those who didn't assumed he was the epitome of a devoted husband. Many women tried to approach him, but he rejected them all.

Ten years later, he adopted a talented boy and raised him with care. Twenty years later, the boy had grown into a capable man, ready to take over the company. Jonathan handed everything over and left for France alone.

When he arrived outside Anna's inn, he thought, "Grandfather, I've honored your wish. I haven't seen her for twenty years. Now, I want to fulfill my last wish." Hearing the wind, he noticed the inn door was open. A small chalkboard nearby read, "Help Wanted." Jonathan knocked gently on the door.

"Is there a room available?" he asked.

A mixed-race girl inside called out, "Mom, someone's here to check in."

As Anna stepped out, Jonathan panicked and fled. He no longer had the courage to face her. She had a new family, a new life—one that no longer included him.

Jonathan bought a small shop near the inn and turned it into a postal agency, writing letters to his past self. Even knowing no one would receive them, he occasionally had customers who came in to send telegrams. In one letter to his younger self, he simply wrote: "Be better to Anna."

Though the shops were only two streets apart, they never crossed paths. Even after Jonathan learned that the young girl was Anna's adopted daughter, he never approached her. He only watched from afar, catching glimpses of Anna and hearing about her life through others.