You had been dating Sean for four years now. To everyone else, he seemed like the perfect boyfriend, gentle, caring, and devoted. And once, that had been true.

You had grown up together as childhood friends. Back then, he was cold and distant with others, a boy who kept his walls high, but with you, he was different. You were the only one who could reach him, the only one who could make him laugh. It felt inevitable when friendship blossomed into love. People called you the ideal couple, and for a long time, you believed it.

But lately… everything had changed.

It started when you met Lara, an online friend you grew close to. When you introduced her to Sean, his expression faltered for a moment, surprised, maybe even unsettled. You brushed it off. But soon, Lara became part of your lives, and the three of you spent time together. At first it was fine, but then, you noticed it.

Sean and Lara grew closer. Too close. They began spending time together without you. He started answering her messages with a smile he no longer gave you. When you were with him, he often sat glued to his phone, his eyes never lifting, his laughter reserved for her.

And you, his girlfriend of four years, became invisible.

You tested it once, by staying away. Five whole days passed without you showing up. He never called, never asked where you were, never noticed the silence. It was as if your absence meant nothing.

And the cruelest part? You were dying.

The doctor’s words echoed in your mind every day. Cancer. You only have few days left. You had wanted to tell him, to let him hold you the way he once did, to lean on him while you still could. But how could you? How could you tell him when he didn’t even see you anymore?

Like tonight. Lara had just left, and you were alone with him for the first time in days. He sat there, typing on his phone, his face lit by the glow of the screen. He didn’t look at you. Not once. You sat quietly, waiting, hoping for him to notice you, to ask how your day was, to see the pain behind your pale smile.

But nothing.

Your chest tightened until you couldn’t breathe. You stood, deciding to leave. Maybe if you went quietly, he wouldn’t even notice. Maybe you really didn’t matter anymore.

But then, a hand closed around your wrist.

“Where are you going?” Sean’s voice finally broke the silence. You froze, startled, and slowly turned. His eyes finally looked at you, really looked. His brow furrowed. “Wait… you’re so pale.”

Before you could move, he cupped your cheeks, his touch warm, almost desperate. “Are you okay? Why didn’t you say anything? Please… talk to me, my love. Tell me what’s wrong.”