Chapter 3

He was about to climb down when Joshua called after him, "Take the stairs. My parents aren't home."

Richard froze. "Why the hell didn't you say that sooner?"

When Richard left, only Joshua and I were left in the room.

Joshua's parents seemed to be powerful lawyers who were rarely home. I hadn't realized Joshua wasn't even there for his birthday.

My eyes kept going back to the photo, so I took the chance to pull it out.

Joshua seemed to read my mind. He took two slow steps forward and stood in front of me, leaning in slightly.

Behind me was the desk. There was nowhere to hide. I had to brace myself to keep from falling.

Joshua said, "Give it back."

I panicked. "You took it without asking. It's not yours."

Joshua smiled softly and nodded as if approving. "I have the negatives. I can still develop more."

I felt a flash of anger. "Joshua, what do you mean by that?"

Joshua curled one side of his mouth into a smile and said nothing.

The look made my heart ache in a way I couldn't handle.

Richard came back quickly, shoved the candle into the cake without much care, lit it, and urged Joshua to blow.

The candlelight flickered. Joshua stared straight at me. My heart inexplicably skipped.

The next second, Joshua said, "Isabel, my birthday wish is you."

The room fell completely still. I panicked and kept my head down, staring at the floor and pretending I couldn't hear.

Richard surprised me by not losing his temper. He kept his face calm and said to Joshua without hurry, "Joshua, once you say a wish out loud, it won't come true."

*****

After graduating, Richard had used his family's connections to land a senior position at a company.

Even so, this was the first time I had visited Richard at his office.

A familiar, sweet voice sounded and I froze in midair. Noelle was Richard's assistant.

A fresh graduate assistant and a handsome boss who'd been climbing the corporate ladder for years.

The sexual tension was thick; it would be odd if nothing happened.

A secret office romance always felt extra thrilling and tempting.

And Richard loved excitement. That was why he picked this place for a proposal.

"Oh, Joshua. Long time no see," Richard said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes as he accepted a business card, quickly glanced at it, and set it aside.

Joshua showed no expression. From the broken fragments, I pieced together why Joshua was here.

Richard's company had an economic dispute with another firm. Before the hearing, Joshua had been hired to mediate.

Joshua acted as if this were his first time meeting Richard.

If I hadn't seen Joshua's features soften when he noticed Noelle, I might have wondered whether the furious man from before was even the same person.

The business talk finished quickly and Joshua stood up to leave.

Richard called out, "About that punch, don't you have anything to say?"

Joshua turned his body and lowered his eyes. "What do you want me to say?"

"Say you're sorry," Richard replied.

Joshua sounded as if he'd just heard a joke.

He chuckled twice, then smoothed his expression and let a hard look creep onto his face. "You know damn well who should be apologizing."

Richard reflexively reached for a cigarette, then seemed to remember smoking was banned in the office building.

He bit his lip and put the pack away. Then he said, "Joshua. It's been three years. It's time to move on. If Isabel were still alive, I would love her for the rest of my life.

"But death is final. Nothing remains. I think if Isabel had a spirit, she would want us to be happy. Don't you think so?"

Joshua clearly did not want to say more. He opened the conference room door and looked toward Noelle's figure near the pantry. His gaze was heavy.

"Richard, I really regret it. Letting Isabel choose you was the biggest mistake of my life," Joshua said, then left.