He Broke Me Quietly, So I Left Quietly Chapter 01

He Broke Me Quietly, So I Left Quietly Chapter 01

I’d just said yes to Liam Bennett’s proposal when a video call popped up out of the blue—it was me, from five years down the line.

The woman on screen was completely bald and confined to a psychiatric care facility.

“Don’t marry him!” she begged. “Get rid of the baby you’re carrying, too.”

I did exactly as she said. I threw the engagement ring away on the spot and went to the hospital that afternoon to end the pregnancy.

Liam fell apart and bombarded me with endless questions. Everyone around me—family and friends alike—called me out of my head.

But outside the door, his childhood friend Mia Wilson was covering her mouth, trying to hide a laugh.

“Deepfake videos work like a charm these days,” she whispered. “She actually believed that was her future self.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. She had no idea.

I had seen through that cheap AI video the moment it appeared.

The reason I acted this way was simple—I had gotten a genuine video call from my future self five years later.

“Have you had enough?” Liam sat beside my hospital bed. I stared out the window.

A dull ache still lingered in my lower abdomen from the surgery.

“It’s all my doing, Liam,” Mia said timidly, standing near the bed. ” I just messed around with that deepfake app and tried to tease Elara. I never imagined she’d take it seriously…”

Liam patted her back.

“Don’t cry, Mia. You’ve got a heart condition and can’t handle upsets. This isn’t your fault—Elara’s just being stubborn.”

He reached out to touch my face. I turned my head away.

Irritation flickered across his face, but he quickly suppressed it.

“Come on, don’t stay mad at me. We can always try for another baby down the line.”

“Just don’t pull a stunt like this ever again.”

Watching him defend Mia so brazenly, I suddenly grew indifferent.

He had no idea that the reason I had ended the pregnancy without hesitation was simple.

Before that shoddy AI video appeared, I’d already spoken to my real future self via video call..

The woman on the screen was gaunt, hollow-eyed, and undeniably me.

I didn’t want to argue anymore. I went along with his words.

“I’m worn out. I need to get some rest.”

Liam looked surprised that I wasn’t fighting with him like I usually did. He assumed I had given in.

“Get some rest, then.” He bent down and tucked the blanket around me. ” I’m putting Mia in charge of the new medical research project for the time being.”

“You just had surgery and need to take it easy—don’t push yourself. I’ll sort out another role for you once you’re feeling better.”

I watched the pair, and the smug look in Mia’s eyes didn’t escape me one bit.

That research project was the fruit of my hard work. I’d pulled all-nighters for three months and visited countless labs to get it approved.

He brushed it off with a single remark, just to butter up his childhood pal.

“Suit yourself.” I closed my eyes and turned my back to them.

The room fell silent for a moment. Then their footsteps faded away.

I kept my eyes shut, but my mind returned to that strange video call.

My future self had sat there in a mental wellness retreat uniform, tears streaming down her face.

“I only have this one chance to reach you,” she had begged. “Please… leave him. No matter what, get away from him.”

I didn’t know what would happen to me in five years. But looking at that face—my face, worn down and broken—I hadn’t hesitated for a second.

“Okay,” I had promised. “I will.”

I pushed the memory aside and dialed a number I knew well.

“This is Elara Carter. I’m calling about the international medical volunteer program—are you still taking new applicants?”

The voice on the other end lit up.

“Absolutely! It’s great to hear you’ve come around. Just so you know, it’s really tough out there. Are you one hundred percent sure about this?”

I watched a bird fly past the window and smiled.

“I’m set.”

“I want to leave as soon as possible.”