The house felt colder now, emptier. Lu Haoyu stood by the living room window, staring out at the familiar garden he once shared joyful memories in, now shrouded in the quiet stillness of early evening. Autumn leaves fell like whispers of times past, each one a reminder of a moment long gone. It was only nine years ago that he and Lu Xiaosheng had bought this house, filled with dreams of a family and a life together. But now, the weight of those dreams lay shattered at his feet.

He caught a glimpse of Bai Yuming laughing with the children outside. Their faces lit up as they ran circles around her, their voices full of innocent joy. They adored her, clung to her as though she were the axis their world spun around. Haoyu turned away, unwilling to bear witness to a sight that only deepened the ache in his chest. He knew he should have said something, should have demanded his place in their lives, but the words felt hollow now. When had he become an outsider in his own family?

The decline had been gradual, like the slow erosion of a cliffside. Yuming had started out as their surrogate, a trusted friend from school, someone who had shared in their dreams. She had been the bridge that brought their children into the world, the one who had helped them stand tall against the disapproval of his parents. It was a role she played so well that, over time, she seemed to have absorbed all the love and warmth meant for him. The children looked to her, and Lu Xiaosheng’s gaze lingered on her in ways it no longer did on him.

In the quiet corners of his heart, Haoyu held the truth that he could never say aloud: he was alone. He had always thought that their love was unbreakable, a constant in a world of uncertainties. But Yuming had managed to find cracks he didn’t know existed, filling them with doubt and a sense of inadequacy that gnawed at him each day. It was Yuming who the children ran to when they had nightmares, Yuming who Xiaosheng turned to when he needed someone to confide in.

Even in the moments they shared as a family, he could feel the subtle shift, the way they unconsciously shut him out. Xiaosheng, once so attentive, now wore a mask of indifference, listening to Yuming’s words more closely than his own. Haoyu tried to brush it off at first, rationalizing it as exhaustion or stress. But he couldn’t ignore the knowing glances, the whispers exchanged when they thought he wasn’t looking.

The illness had come as a cruel twist of fate, an invisible hand that had tipped him further off the edge. The doctors had given him months, and he had chosen to keep it a secret. What good would it do to tell them now? He didn’t want their pity, didn’t want the children to look at him with fear or sadness. They were happy. Or at least, they were happier without him. He saw it in their eyes, the way they seemed lighter, freer, when he wasn’t around. So he made the decision, one born out of love and despair, to leave them in peace.

His hand trembled as he reached into his pocket, pulling out the divorce papers he had signed the night before. The ink had barely dried, but it was enough. He took a breath, bracing himself for the moment he would have to hand them over. It was the final act in a play he had been writing in silence, a way to ensure they could move on without him.

Outside, the laughter of his children echoed, a painful melody that underscored the silence within him. He allowed himself one last look, a moment to etch their faces into his memory. He would carry them with him wherever he went, even if it meant walking away. In his heart, he would always be their father, even if they never called him that again.

Haoyu closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the years press down on him. He was tired, more tired than he had ever been. But this was his decision, a way to give them the chance to be happy, even if it meant he had to disappear. He knew Xiaosheng would be furious, that the children might wonder where he had gone, but in time, they would forget. Yuming would be there to fill the void, and he would be nothing more than a memory.

The papers crinkled in his hand, a tangible reminder of the path he had chosen. He walked to the door, feeling the coolness of the evening air as he stepped outside. Yuming glanced up, a flicker of surprise crossing her face as she saw him standing there. He offered a strained smile, one last effort to mask the pain that gnawed at him from within.

“I’m going for a walk,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. She nodded, her attention already back on the children, as if he were nothing more than a shadow passing through.

As he walked away, the house faded behind him, a silhouette against the darkening sky. He didn’t look back, didn’t allow himself to falter. This was his choice, his sacrifice, and he would bear it alone. He had done everything he could to protect them, to give them the life they deserved, even if it meant he would never be a part of it.

The city stretched out before him, a vast landscape of lights and shadows. Haoyu felt the weight of his decision settle in, a bittersweet acceptance that washed over him. He was leaving, yes, but he was doing it out of love. And as he walked into the night, he carried with him the hope that one day, they would find the happiness he had given up on.

He knew the days ahead would be difficult, knew that the road he had chosen was paved with heartache. But he had made his peace with it. In the quiet solitude of the night, he found a strange sense of relief, a release from the burdens that had weighed him down for so long.

And so, with a heavy heart and a final glance at the life he was leaving behind, Lu Haoyu stepped into the unknown, ready to face whatever came next.

______________________________________

Lu Haoyu

Lu Xiaocheng

Lu Xiaofei

Lu Xiaoyu

Lu Xiaohu

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This is my first ever nonfic boy's love book. Hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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Don't copy my wok as I've been working hard for each of my stories.

English isn't my first language so if there's mistakes or errors, feel free to show me.

Grab your tissues! (don't worry this is a happy ending)

✍️Adona 🖤🍂