Only Smoke Remains

While I was bleeding heavily from my miscarriage, the hospital needed a family member to sign some documents urgently.

The nurse frantically called my husband on my phone.

After more than ten rejected calls, he finally answered, his voice a frustrated yell, “I’m busy! Don’t bother me with these little things!”

When we tried calling again, I realized he had blocked my number.

Despite the pain, I forced myself to sit up and sign the papers.

Tragically, our baby couldn’t be saved. Later, I saw a viral video of my husband kissing his childhood sweetheart under fireworks.

“It was just a silly joke,” she said, “but he surprised me by lighting up the whole city with fireworks as a present!”

Seeing their matching wedding rings, I wordlessly slipped off the simple ring I’d worn for five years and threw it in the bin.

After coming so close to death, he was now insignificant to me.