The Last Photo of Us

That afternoon, the company needed us to submit a photo with our emergency contact.

I searched through my entire phone before remembering an absurd fact.

My boyfriend and I had been together for eight years, yet we did not have a single photo together, because every time I brought up taking one, he said he did not like photos, and I never thought much of it.

I called him and asked him to send me a selfie.

His voice was flat, like he was brushing me off: Im busy right now, Im in a meeting.

Then he hung up.

Before I could figure out how to get a photo of us together, a woman came to me and handed me her phone.

This is my wedding photo from many years ago, but the quality is damaged, so can you see if you can restore it?

When I saw the photo, I froze for a second.

The grooms figure felt so familiar.

But the photo was too badly damaged, so I shook my head and said, It cant be fixed.

She was so anxious that she started crying and quickly called her husband.

My boyfriends voice came through the speaker.

Its okay if it cant be fixed, baby. Our wedding anniversary is coming up soon anyway, and well take hundreds of photos together then.

My body trembled slightly from my racing heart, but I forced my face to stay calm and looked at the smiling woman in front of me.

So your wedding anniversary is coming up soon? What perfect timing, our studio has a promotion right now, and we can shoot anytime.

I handed over the promotional brochure.

The woman took it curiously and flipped through it, her eyes lighting up: Oh my God, these are so gorgeous!

She kept talking to the man on the phone, her voice sweet and sticky.

Babe, hurry over, this studio takes such pretty photos, so lets do the shoot now.

In less than ten minutes, the front door was pushed open.

I looked up, and that familiar figure appeared right in front of me.

A perfectly tailored suit, noble and sharp features.

It was my boyfriend, Julian Hayes.

My heart felt like it had been gripped by an invisible hand, and a dull pain spread through my limbs as my breathing froze.

Our eyes met, panic flashed through his eyes, and then he became calm, as if I were a stranger.

When the woman saw him, she wrapped her arms around his arm affectionately.

Julian pulled her into his arms in return and lowered his head to kiss her forehead, the gesture tender and intimate.

Babe, I like several photo sets, so can we shoot all of them today?

The woman acted spoiled, happiness filling her eyes.

He rubbed her hair indulgently: Of course, my little princess can shoot whatever she wants.

Eight years of love shattered in front of me like a ridiculous joke.

There was rarely such intimacy between us, and there were mostly arguments.

Back then, he lost the pocket watch his mother had left him and panicked so badly that he did not know what to do.

I went out to look for it, and it rained heavily that day, so I was soaked from head to toe, my feet rubbed raw with blisters, and I even spent money asking people to help keep an eye out.

After I finally found it, all I got was his scolding.

Why were you running around in such heavy rain? If you get sick, well have to spend money again!

Actually, I did not mind, because at least the keepsake had been found.

But now, seeing the scene in front of me, some words rose to my lips, only to be swallowed down.

The woman turned her head to look at me and sized me up.

Lets go, do a good job, and dont waste our time.

I forced the corners of my mouth up and walked into the elevator with them.

In the cramped space, the woman was still flipping through the album with great interest.

The light above our heads went out with a snap, and the elevator instantly fell into darkness.

Before I had time to adjust to the dark, a sudden force shoved me from the side.

My body staggered backward, and the back of my head hit the wall hard.

Before I could recover from the headache, a piercing pain shot up from the top of my foot.

It was the womans thin heel grinding into my foot.

I bit my lower lip and forced back the cry of pain stuck in my throat.

She threw herself into Julians arms, her voice trembling: Im so scared, it suddenly went dark, and I nearly died of fright.

He soothed her in a low voice: Dont be scared, itll be fine in a moment.

After only a short while, the lights came back on.

The woman frowned, her face full of impatience: Using such cheap equipment is seriously tacky.

After she said that, Julian took her hand and walked out of the elevator.

I had them register first, and I saw the womans name clearly, Chloe Bennett.

My heart sank, because she was the daughter of the Bennett Group.

She was very excited and tried on three or four wedding dresses in a row, standing on tiptoe and spinning in front of her husband.

She acted spoiled and said she wanted to buy all the sample photos.

Julians eyes were full of indulgence and tenderness.

Beautiful, my wife looks beautiful in anything.

Chloe, if I dont spend my money on you, who else would I spend it on, so well buy a few more later.

I looked down at the faded hoodie I was wearing.

I had once brought up wanting to buy a new dress, and Julian had looked impatient.

If your clothes can still be worn, dont buy more, and dont be so vain.

Soon it was Julians turn to try on a suit.

Because of my duty as an employee, I could only suppress my emotions and raise my hands to help him put on the jacket.

He looked at Chloe not far away and spoke in a voice only the two of us could hear.

Dont get too close, Chloe will misunderstand.

My hands stopped.

Julian took a step back, his tone distant: I can do it myself.

Chloe stuck close to him and chattered about the poses they would shoot later.

The assistant praised them from the side: You two really are a perfect match, handsome and beautiful, its so enviable.

Chloe leaned lazily in the chair, not even bothering to lift her eyes to look at me.

Go pour me a cup of hot water.

I nodded silently and brought the water to her.

She took it, her gaze glued to Julian: Lift the train a little, dont let it drag on the floor.

I bent down to gather the trailing veil, but found it heavy and impossible to lift.

Chloe was stepping on the skirt.

I reminded her quietly: Miss, please lift your foot, I cant pull it up.

But she completely ignored my words.

At that moment, she was busy being lovey-dovey with Julian and did not spare me even the slightest glance.

After we were stuck like that for a while, my arm started aching, so I could only tug the dress hard.

Chloe, who was completely unprepared, jumped in shock.

Julian instinctively pulled her into his arms to protect her.

The cup slipped from her hand, and all the hot water spilled over the back of my hand.

The burning feeling spread quickly, the pain sharp and scorching, and my hand trembled uncontrollably.

I saw Julians brows furrow slightly.

A trace of hope actually rose in my heart, and I thought he would see what had happened and say even half a word in my defense.

But anger covered his features, and he only lifted his eyes to look at me coldly.

My nose stung and swelled with bitterness, and I bit my lip to keep my tears from falling.

Chloe went to get her makeup done first, leaving only Julian and me in the room.

He reached out to pull me over, worry showing on his face.

Hows your hand?

I endured the pain and shook him off.

You lied to me.

He froze when he heard that, and after a pause, he finally spoke.

Im doing well with Chloe, and when Im with her, I dont think about the old days.

I understood what he meant, and tears fell all at once.

What about me?

You can live a better life. Julian looked at me. Ill give you some money

I raised my hand and slapped him across the face.

He turned his head to the side and pressed his lips together, but he did not dodge.

When I saw Chloe, the first thing I noticed was the ring on her hand.

Julian had long forgotten what he once said.

Five years ago, he and I were still working odd jobs, and when his first paycheck came in, it happened to be his birthday, so we bought a cake.

The candlelight made the basement seem a little less dark.

He took a velvet box out of his pocket.

My heart skipped a beat, and I thought it was a ring.

When I opened it, it was a thin silver bracelet with a heart-shaped charm.

Im sorry, I cant afford a diamond ring right now. He looked a little embarrassed. But wear this for now, and when I find a better job, Ill trade it for a diamond ring.

I put the bracelet on and said with a smile, I dont want a diamond ring, I only want this.

Julian held my hand, his gaze sincere: Evelyn, wait for me, and Ill marry you properly one day.

Until today, I finally saw the ring, except it was on someone elses hand.

My chest started twisting in pain again, and I gripped the fabric over my heart as my body swayed.

Julian held me up, his voice very low.

Evelyn, Im sorry.

I pushed him away, took off the bracelet, and threw it on the floor.

Julian Hayes, lets end this here.

Without waiting for his response, I quickly walked out of the room.

I took out a handful of medicine, stuffed it into my mouth, and swallowed dryly.

Once everything was ready, I lifted the camera and aimed it at the two people leaning against each other in the lens.

Julians chin rested lightly on the top of the womans head, and Chloe tilted her head up with smiling crescent eyes, kissing the corner of his lips.

The assistant beside them could not help teasing them and laughingly praising how blindingly sweet they were.

I pressed the shutter mechanically, recording their happiness.

It was not that we had never taken a photo together.

That day, I had just finished a night shift, and the boss organized everyone to take a group photo, so the workers all gathered together.

When the photo was being taken, my chest suddenly felt tight, and Julian immediately reached out to support me, his body moving with mine just as the shutter was pressed.

The developed photo was blurry.

My eyes and face were clear, while half of Julians body was blurred into a mass, making him look like he had melted into the dim background.

I held the photo and my eyes turned red.

Julian quickly smoothed out the photo and comforted me in a low voice.

Its okay, it doesnt matter if Im a little blurry, as long as youre clear.

I stared steadily at the man and woman in the lens.

At this moment, Julian was gentle and dazzling, his figure tall and upright, his whole person bright and alive.

His wife stood beside him openly and rightfully, warm and confident.

I suddenly figured it out, but why should it be like this?

Suddenly, a tearing pain surged through my chest, and the familiar suffocating feeling made my vision go dark.

The laughter and voices around me became very distant.

I forced myself to steady the camera, but my hands kept going weak.

Clang!

The heavy camera slipped straight out of my hands and smashed onto the floor.

Through my shaking vision, I saw a flash of panic cross Julians face.

He stood still and turned to Chloe, saying, Dont let her affect your mood, go shoot the next set first.

My coworkers cried out in alarm and crowded around me, and then my vision went black, and I could not feel anything anymore.

When I woke up, I was already lying in a hospital bed, my whole body weak.

The doctor told me with a grave expression: Your heart has already gone into severe failure, so we can only arrange surgery as soon as possible, and then there will barely be a chance of survival, but if we delay any longer, the consequences will be unimaginable.

I stared blankly at the ceiling, and before I could respond, the door to the ward was suddenly shoved open.

Chloe rushed in, arrogant and domineering, with two bodyguards following behind her.

She looked down at me from above: Do you know hes a married man, yet you still keep clinging to him?

The bodyguards immediately stepped forward and forced the doctor out of the ward without a word.

Chloe held her phone up in front of me, and on the screen were my chat records with Julian, the whole screen filled with messages I had sent while he had not replied even once.

She sneered: You message someone elses husband every day and harass him, so how can you be so shameless about being the other woman?

My chest felt tight, and a dull twisting pain came from my heart as I defended myself softly.

He and I have nothing to do with each other anymore.

Chloe did not believe me at all and only thought I was pretending to make excuses, her gaze growing even more contemptuous.

I had no energy to argue with her about this now and only wanted to live properly.

I reached out to get the medicine on the bedside table.

But Chloe raised her hand and swept it away, knocking the pill box straight to the floor and scattering pills everywhere.

She folded her arms, her tone cold and mean: Stop lying there pretending to be fragile, get up and exercise more, and then youll have the strength to seduce more men.

The pain in my chest surged up, so I could only endure the discomfort, slowly move off the bed, and pick up the scattered pills one by one.

Just then, the door to the ward was pushed open, and Julian walked in.

Chloe instantly put on an aggrieved expression, her eyes reddening as she spoke softly.

I already told her not to pester you, but she refuses to stop.

Julian glanced over me, and there was not the slightest guilt in his eyes.

He only drew his brows together and spoke to Chloe.

I wont let her have any chance to contact me again, so dont get angry over someone like this, lets go.

I leaned against the bed, my body feeling like a piece had been hollowed out.

My phone rang, and my bosss name jumped on the screen.

My hands trembled as I answered, and furious scolding came from the other end.

What is wrong with you? You offended a major client, and now theyve canceled their long-term cooperation with us, causing huge losses, so all the losses will be counted against you!

As I listened to the accusations by my ear, I knew they had done it.

After a long time, I answered hoarsely: Ill pay.

After hanging up, I transferred to my boss all the savings I had built up over eight years, the money I had planned to use for treatment and a home.

Not long after, the doctor walked in, saw me slumped on the floor, and quickly came forward to help me up.

Have you thought clearly about the surgery? The earlier we operate, the higher the chance of success.

I leaned against the headboard and shook my head.

Theres no need to arrange the surgery.

I would get through one day at a time, and that was all.

I had a heart condition, and my parents abandoned me very early, so most of my salary went toward medicine.

Later, I met Julian, and he worked desperately to earn money for my treatment.

I lay in the hospital bed and looked at his exhausted face, as if all his strength had been drained away.

Julian, lets break up.

This illness could drag people to death, and if I died, then I died, but he could not go down with me.

Anger appeared in his eyes.

Evelyn, how many times have I told you that Ill find a way to handle the money?

While he was gone, I packed my things and left.

I did not expect the hospital to notify Julian as soon as I left.

He found me and held me tightly, and my shoulder became wet.

I felt numb and could not move.

Julian Hayes, let me go, and let me leave.

He held me even tighter, tears streaming down.

Evelyn, even if its for yourself, you have to keep living.

I ignored the doctors warnings and left the hospital.

As soon as I got into the car, I received several texts.

Evelyn, stop making trouble, Chloe and I are already married, and thats a fact that cant be changed.

As long as you behave and stop appearing in front of Chloe, I can treat you well like before.

You dont need to worry about money, because I wont abandon you.

I sneered and blocked him directly.

I planned to go back to the company first and move out all the photos I had taken over the years, because I could find a new job with those works.

I walked into the studio and froze on the spot at first glance.

Chloe and Julian were standing in front of my workstation.

What made me feel even colder was that someone was operating my computer.

I rushed forward quickly, my tone panicked: What are you doing? Dont touch my things!

Chloe turned her head to look at me and said as if it were only natural.

Youre the photographer, so who knows if you still have our photos saved somewhere? Keeping these things around is trouble for us, and I dont feel at ease.

These are my works, and they have nothing to do with you!

I reached out to push away the person in front of me, but the bodyguards stepped forward and blocked me directly.

I watched Chloe pull the memory card out of my camera.

A smile curved her lips, and her fingers tightened slightly.

Crack.

A crisp breaking sound rang out, and my hope shattered too.

That was still not enough, because she raised her hand, picked up the camera that had accompanied me through years of hard work, and smashed it onto the floor without hesitation.

The camera body cracked apart, and parts scattered all over the floor.

I broke down and turned to look at Julian beside her.

From beginning to end, he remained unmoved.

Julian, when I get a little better, Im going to study photography, because being a photographer is my dream.

He tucked my hand into his pocket and laughed softly.

Okay, well both stay alive, and well have everything in the future.

Back then, I really believed it, believed that my illness could improve and believed that my dream could come true.

But now, the thought that kept me wanting to live was gone.

My anger completely drowned out my reason, and I picked up a piece from the floor and threw it straight at Chloe.

She screamed, staggered backward, and clutched her arm with disbelief all over her face.

My wrist was immediately grabbed.

Julian stood in front of her, his gaze ice-cold.

Are you insane?

I could not breathe, and my chest felt like something had blocked it completely.

Julian Hayes, youre not human.

His face went pale.

Chloe rubbed her shoulder and gave the bodyguards a look.

A bodyguard walked over and slapped me across the face.

My head tilted to the side, my ears rang, and blood seeped from the corner of my mouth.

She kicked over my box.

Photos scattered all over the floor with a rustle, and the floor was covered with the hard work I had saved up over the years.

Chloe stepped on them, her heel grinding over those photos.

I saw it, the blurry photo of us together was under her foot.

The feeling in my chest was not pain, but the feeling of being torn apart from the inside.

I covered my mouth and bent over.

Blood flowed through the gaps between my fingers, dripping one drop at a time onto the photos on the floor.

I could not hold on anymore, and my whole body pitched forward.

Julian caught me and wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth in a panic, his voice trembling.

Evelyn! Whats wrong with you! Say something!

I looked up at him.

My vision was clearly blurred, but I still saw his face, the face I had loved for eight years, now filled with terror.

Julian Hayes, are you satisfied now?

He froze.

I tugged at the corner of my mouth, not knowing if it was a smile or something else.

My feelings, my photos, theyre all gone, and I have no future anymore

His hands were shaking as he gripped my shoulders tightly.

I coughed, and another mouthful of blood splashed onto his shirt.

Im going to die.