Three years passed, and life had taken Jenny and Jeremy down different paths. Jenny was now a licensed nurse, working tirelessly at a local hospital in their small town to support her ailing father. Jeremy, on the other hand, had followed in his father’s footsteps and became an engineer, working overseas for a prestigious telecommunications company based in the city. Despite their deep love for each other, their busy schedules and physical distance made it difficult to see each other. Their communication was limited to calls and messages through social media, a thread that barely held them together.
One day, Jeremy received an unexpected yet exciting call from his father. He was offered a rare opportunity at his company: a chance to invite a family member to join and, in return, earn a promotion. The position promised more money, valuable experience, and the ability to turn his dreams into reality—building a house, buying cars, and, most importantly, marrying Jenny, the love of his life. Without hesitation, Jeremy accepted the offer, thrilled by the possibilities it opened for their future. However, he decided not to share the news with Jenny just yet, thinking it would be a pleasant surprise down the road.
Meanwhile, Jenny was facing challenges of her own. As the only daughter, the responsibility of her father’s worsening health fell squarely on her shoulders. Her father required an expensive heart surgery, but her parents’ small store barely brought in enough income to cover their daily expenses, let alone medical bills. She was reluctant to burden Jeremy with her struggles, knowing he was busy building a future for both of them. Determined not to interrupt his progress, Jenny kept silent and worked tirelessly to make ends meet. By day, she managed their store and cooked lunch packs for nearby company employees. By night, she took shifts at the hospital and sought every possible side hustle to scrape together the money they desperately needed. Despite her relentless efforts, the financial strain continued to weigh on her.
Six months had passed since Jeremy last saw Jenny in person. One day, he decided to surprise her with a visit. When he arrived at their small store, he was stunned to see Jenny's appearance—she had grown visibly thinner, with dark circles under her eyes that betrayed her exhaustion. Jeremy hadn’t noticed these changes during their video calls, likely because Jenny always appeared in her nurse’s uniform with makeup that concealed her fatigue. Seeing her like this broke his heart.
Overwhelmed with emotions, Jeremy hugged Jenny tightly. Startled by his sudden arrival, Jenny began to cry as she clung to him, her resolve breaking under the weight of her burdens. In an emotional conversation, Jenny finally opened up about her struggles. She told Jeremy about her father’s condition, the costly hospital bills, and how she had pawned their house to the bank. She explained that their store was their only remaining property, and she had been working endlessly to keep their family afloat.
Jeremy listened in silence, his heart heavy with sadness and guilt. He realized how much Jenny had been suffering while he was focused on his own goals. Her resilience and selflessness deeply moved him, but he couldn’t shake the ache of knowing she had carried these burdens alone.
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