The Seventh Time I Stopped Waiting Chapter 07

The Seventh Time I Stopped Waiting Chapter 07

Jude never left that night.

He stood on the stone steps outside the courtyard from dusk till dawn.

The bitter mountain wind howled, and I could see his figure through the gaps in the window.

He stood motionless, as if frozen solid.

At dawn, I pushed open the yard gate. Frost covered his shoulders. His face was pale from the cold.

When he saw me, light flickered in his eyes. He hurried over and blocked my path.

“Yuna, let’s talk.”

I stopped. Looked up at him. My face gave nothing away.

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

His words spilled out fast. Like he was scared I’d disappear if he slowed down.

“I know I was wrong.”

“I shouldn’t have stood you up every time. I shouldn’t have ignored how much you were hurting. I took your love for granted.”

I stepped around him. “I’m married. I swore in front of the Mountain Spirit. I’m never leaving this village again.”

“We could get a divorce. Or I’ll give up everything in the city and stay

in the mountains with you.”

“I’ll stop making documentaries. I’ll give it all up. I’ll stay here with you, for real. Please.”

I listened quietly. Let him say all his promises.

Then I spoke. “Jude, I’m happy now.”

His pupils trembled. Panic flooded his face.

“No. If you were really happy, your eyes wouldn’t still be swollen. I know you’re just angry at me.”

“I understand now. I see how wrong I was. Can you forgive me?”

I shook my head gently. “Regret that comes too late is meaningless.”

“You’re only sorry because I’m leaving you. In your eyes, I was merely an admirer who clung to you. Your grief is not for me, but for the fact that I chose to leave you.”

I walked past him. Grabbed the broom by the wall to sweep the fallen leaves.

The broom was gently taken out of my grasp.

Linden took it gently. He stood beside me, holding a bowl of warm oatmeal. His manner was gentle and considerate.

“It’s cold. Eat breakfast first. I’ll sweep.”

He looked at Jude and pulled me protectively against him.

“Yuna is my wife now. Show some respect. Divorce does not exist in our mountains. We mountain folk hold fast to lifelong monogamy.

Unlike you, who act fickle and restless.”

I looked up. Ada was coming down the path toward Jude.

I laughed coldly. “Jude, even without me, someone’s still waiting for you, isn’t that right?”

Ada walked over. Her beaded suede skirt swayed, silver jewelry jingling.

“Jude, the documentary is almost done. You can’t throw away four years of work.”

“The awards, the recognition—we’re almost there.”

“She’s just one woman. You still have me. Wake up, please.”

Jude stared at her.

His gaze turned icy cold enough to chill anyone to the bone.

Ada’s fingers trembled. Her grip on his sleeve loosened.

She must have realized. He had changed.

He wasn’t the Jude who always gave in, who always protected her.

Finally, Jude spoke. His voice was low and cold.

“The doctor said your leg needs another month to recover. Why have you come here?”

Ada went rigid. Her face turned white.

She shook her head frantically, playing innocent.

“Jude, I heard people in the village say Yuna got married. You didn’t come home all night. I was worried about you!”

But Jude just stared at her. Cold.

When he stayed silent, Ada cried harder.

“Jude, I’ve been with you for four years! I traveled all over these mountains with you. How can you accuse me like this?”

Jude reached out and gently pulled her hand off his sleeve.

“You are the one who always sought trouble. My only goal was to record the scenery of these mountains.”

“I felt bad for you mountain girls. I wanted to give you some screen time. Yet why did misfortune always befall you alone?”

He shoved her hand away. In that moment, everything seemed to click for him.

Jude stood frozen.

I watched the light in his eyes go out. Little by little. Until there was nothing left.