Lawrence met Monica at the age of twenty-two, in the prime of his youth and in her prime.

It was an annual agricultural market in his hometown, and he helped his father transport vegetables to the market, and it was there that the two happened to meet.

At that time, Lawrence drove past a puddle of stagnant water, and because he didn't pay attention, he directly splashed Monica with sludge.

Monica's home is far from the market, and she is the only person in charge of their stall, so if they go home to change their clothes at this time, the stall will be unattended.

In order to apologize, Lawrence offered to help her take care of the stall and compensate her for a new set of clothes if she wanted to.

Seeing that Lawrence looked stunned and didn't look like a bad guy, she gladly accepted and handed over the stall to him.

After that, the two knew each other, and after a week-long market, they gradually became acquainted, and they had a touch of affection for each other.

After the market, the two often went out on dates, gradually got to know each other, and finally established a relationship.

It was also on the day the relationship was established that Lawrence learned a secret from Monica: she had severe self-harm tendencies.

She derives pleasure from self-harm, and the origins of it all, like most mental illnesses, originate in her family.

Monica grew up under her father's violence, and the long-term beatings and abuse formed a lingering shadow in her heart.

Self-harm is the only way for her to pour out her pain, and she does not dare to resist her father, so she can only hurt herself.

Monica thought that Lawrence would leave her after learning about it, but she didn't expect that he would only be stunned for a moment before hugging her tightly.

He didn't care about her self-harm, and even went straight to her father in order to help her, the bastard was too old to be his opponent, and he punched him to the ground in a few punches.

Later, despite her family's obstructions, Lawrence takes Monica away from her hometown town and breaks off contact with her bastard father for good.

Using the horological trades he learned from the town's watchmaker, he opened a watch shop to make ends meet.

It's just that for a long time after that, although Monica has improved, she still hasn't completely gotten out of the shadows, and she will still hurt herself when Lawrence is not paying attention.

For this reason, Lawrence also broke her heart and helped her hire many psychiatrists to counsel her, and at the same time took more care of her and calmed her emotions.

Finally, with Lawrence's unremitting efforts, Monica overcame the problem of "self-harm", and it was in this year that they registered their marriage.

There were no superfluous people at the wedding of the two, just the two of them, a candlelit dinner, just for themselves.

After getting married, their lives seemed to be finally turning around, and Lawrence's watch business was getting better and better, and his skills began to grow by leaps and bounds.

Because of her childhood, Monica didn't want children, and Lawrence readily agreed.

In this way, time passed little by little, although there were quarrels and discords between the two, but in the end, they were able to solve the problem together through hard work.

Lawrence opened a store to make money, Monica ran the family and helped in the store at the same time, and the couple's life was getting better and better, and they were very comfortable.

Until last year, everything was going well, until Monica's health suddenly deteriorated and she was finally diagnosed with cancer...... Advanced.

The doctor said that the appearance of this disease is not only related to Monica's own physique, but also related to her psychology.

Lawrence realized that Monica's "self-harm tendencies" had never really been resolved, and she had been trying her best to suppress that urge, not wanting to worry about herself.

It's just that it's too late to know these things now, late ...... It is already an incurable disease.

After returning from the hospital, Monica rejected all treatment options, she had seen cancer patients who were struggling in pain, and she didn't want to be like that.

She wanted to be beautiful in Lawrence's eyes, so she called Lawrence into the room in earnest for ten minutes, and told him her last wishes:

"You know, my dear, I've been through so much pain since I was born, so I don't want to go through it again before I die.

Over the years, in order not to worry you, and for our life to live well, I have endured it for too long, too long.

So, I want you to grant me a request: kill me with your own hands, when I'm still at my best.

If I was destined to die, I didn't want to die with cancer and pain, I wanted to die at your hands, that would be the happiest ending for me.

I know, dear...... It's not fair to you, I know that, I'm sorry.

You just treat it as if this is my last willfulness, and there will be no next time, I promise you. ”

That night, Lawrence stayed up all night, quietly by Monica's side, stroking her long hair until she was sleepy and fell asleep.

He thought about it for a long time...... It was a long time, but he couldn't think of a single reason to convince Monica...... Or rather, excuses.

Of course, he can refuse and refuse to do this very strongly, and no normal person is willing to kill his beloved with his own hands.

But in the same way, he was afraid...... Afraid that Monica will leave with regret, afraid that when she leaves...... There are shadows around you.

"Lawrence, you know what, you are the light of my life!"

Somehow, when the first light came in from the window, the words Monica in her twenties once said echoed in his head.

"I promise you......"

Looking at the flickering lights and shadows outside the window, Lawrence whispered to himself and finally responded.

That night, seventy-three-year-old Monica put on her old wedding dress, with bright makeup on her face and a big smile on her lips.

That night, the seventy-four-year-old Lawrence also changed into the suit he had worn for a long time, which was a little wider, but he could still see the handsomeness he once had.

is still a candlelight, illuminating the faces of the two and the reluctance in the eyes of the two......

They all eat slowly, slowly...... Because of old age, and because of ...... Want to extend the last minute.

It's just that time will pass eventually, and time ...... Never stops.

In the end, the two put down their knives and forks, raised the glass of red wine that had not been moved, and touched it gently.

"Cheers!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, and drank down.

……

……

"At that time, I put the euthanasia that I had managed to get in her cup, and at the same time put it for myself.

But I didn't expect that she would secretly change my wine, and she would ...... It's selfish.

Before she fell asleep, she told me that it was her last wish to live well.

Hehe, she's arranged everything, what can I do? I love her, and I can only promise her. ”

With that, Lawrence seemed to go back to that night, sitting across the candlelight and watching his wife slowly close her eyes.

She must be happy, he knows, this is his promise to her in this life, and he has fulfilled it satisfactorily.

"I'm not lying about one thing, I did make that pocket watch for her, and it was true that it would be our fiftieth wedding anniversary after a while, but she didn't wait.

I added strands of her hair to the pocket watch as if she hadn't left, and as long as the watch was still moving, she was still there for me. ”

"So, that's the problem you had with this pocket watch? Do you want this pocket watch to keep moving and never stopping? ”

Natsuki guessed something, and then asked, with a look of embarrassment on his face.

"yes, that's it, I know it's impossible, but I want to give it a try!"

Lawrence suddenly raised his head, with determination in his eyes, and ......

A hint of madness!