It was raining, each heavy raindrop falling onto the street, blending with the sound of Dực Thần's heavy footsteps. He stood in front of the small house that had once been their home, where the most beautiful memories of his life existed.
Dực Thần fell in love with Mộc Mộc the first time he saw her under the phoenix tree. Her clear eyes and gentle smile made his heart flutter. As the only son of a wealthy family, Dực Thần had everything: money, status, and arrogance. But in front of Mộc Mộc, he was just an ordinary guy, longing for a simple and sincere love.
Mộc Mộc was a strong, independent girl, but also very sensitive. She never dreamed that one day she would be loved by someone like Dực Thần. His love was warm and intense, but at times, it also left her breathless.
Dực Thần gave Mộc Mộc everything good in life: expensive gifts, luxurious trips, but Mộc Mộc didn’t need those things. She only needed a simple love, a companion who understood and respected her. However, Dực Thần didn’t realize this.
As time passed, the differences between them became more apparent. Dực Thần always wanted to keep Mộc Mộc by his side, controlling her every move out of fear of losing her. But this imposition made Mộc Mộc gradually feel suffocated.
One day, Mộc Mộc said goodbye. She couldn’t stay with someone who made her feel like she was no longer herself. Dực Thần went mad. He knelt down and begged her to stay.
"I can’t live without you, Mộc Mộc. Please, don’t leave me!"
Mộc Mộc cried, but she still turned away.
Dực Thần couldn’t accept the truth. He threw himself into work, thinking that success would help him forget the pain. But the more he tried to forget, the more he remembered. The meals she cooked, the sound of her laughter echoing in the house, all haunted him every night.
Three years later, Dực Thần met Mộc Mộc again. She appeared in a pure white wedding dress, walking beside another man. He wasn’t as wealthy as Dực Thần, but the look in his eyes for Mộc Mộc was full of understanding and respect.
Dực Thần stood from afar, his heart aching as if it were being cut. He didn’t dare approach, only silently watched her in happiness. That night, he drank himself into a stupor and drove into the cold night.
The car lost control and crashed into a tree by the roadside. When they found him, Dực Thần whispered one last sentence:
“Mộc Mộc... be happy... okay…”
Dực Thần passed away in solitude, carrying with him a love that was passionate yet flawed. As for Mộc Mộc, she lived fully in happiness, unaware that someone once loved her so deeply that they sacrificed their life for her.
Sometimes, love is not about keeping the person you love, but learning to let go so that both can find happiness. But Dực Thần realized this too late.
