He Gave Her the Romance, I Gave Him Goodbye

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Synopsis

There was a romantic rule in the field of astronomy. The first asteroid a researcher discovered had to be named after someone they loved most. In my seventh year of enduring hardship by Adrian Foster's side, he finally discovered a new star. On the day of the press conference, I, Clara Reed, wore my most presentable dress, waiting for him to call my name on stage. When I went to the lounge to bring him water, I overheard his partner trying to dissuade him in a low voice. "Adrian, Clara has been with you for seven years, if you give the naming rights to Lily, how devastated is Clara going to be? This isn't fair to Clara at all." Adrian toyed with a lighter, his tone completely matter-of-fact. "Clara is too dull. Naming a star after her would be tacky. Lily is a violinist. Her name fits the romance of this star much better. Besides, Clara is almost thirty. She's already lost the looks she once had. Who else would want her besides me? She gets marriage, Lily gets romance. What else could she possibly be unhappy about?" A draft swept through the corridor, chilling me to the bone. My throat burned sharply, every breath carrying a faint metallic taste. I looked at the cup of warm water in my hand. I didn't push the door open and turned back toward the hall. I went straight to the registration desk and submitted a document. "Please revoke my co-authorship attribution." I didn't want the star anymore. And I didn't want Adrian anymore either.