Chapter 6
After the third ring, he was told that my number was no longer in service.
Oliver put it down. Then he booted up his computer and started a new folder.
He started typing a name, but erased it.
In the end, he saved nothing. He powered down his computer, grabbed his coat, and walked out.
The next afternoon, Ethan came again.
This time, Mia didn't come with him. Ethan said he didn't need her. He knew the way.
He didn't bring the urn. Mia had it at her place, laid a clean white cloth over it, and set it right in the middle of her table.
This time, Ethan brought something else. It was a ring.
It was a thin, plain silver ring, with no decorations at all. Derek gave it to me on their wedding day.
I wore it for three years, never once taking it off, not even when I was washing dishes or doing chores.
Ethan always felt that ring on my hand. Whenever he held my hand, that slender silver band was always there.
When he finally took the ring off my hand, my fingers had gone cold and rigid. He had to gently ease the ring off, bit by bit, taking his time.
He walked into the lobby.
The receptionist was different today. The girl from yesterday wasn't there.
The new receptionist stood up as soon as she saw Ethan.
She said, "You're the guy from yesterday, right? Mr. Smith said he won't see you. Go now, or I'll have to call security."
Ethan said, "I'm not here to see him. I'm here to return something."
He took the ring out of his pocket and set it on the counter.
He continued, "This is Luna's wedding ring. She always said it was borrowed, so I'm here to give it back."
The new receptionist glanced at the thin silver ring.
No diamonds, no brand, not even gold. On the shiny marble counter, it looked like a speck of dust.
She said, "Why are you leaving it here? I'm not the lost and found."
Ethan asked, "Could you please give it to Derek?"
The new receptionist picked up the ring, turning it over between her fingers.
"You call it a ring? Did you get it from street stalls?" she said, tossing the ring back onto the counter with a clink.
She added, "Luna's really pathetic, marrying a rich guy and still couldn't even get a decent ring."
She snickered.
Ethan didn't say a word. He picked up the ring again, set it back on the counter, and pushed it a little closer.
"Doesn't matter what it's worth. It's her wedding ring. She said it had to be returned, so that's what I'm doing," he replied.
The new receptionist shrugged, picked up the ring, and tossed it in the drawer.
Ethan heard the faint sound of metal dropping into the drawer. He turned and walked out.
As he reached the door, a black car pulled up outside the lobby. The door opened, and a woman stepped out.
She wore high heels, and her perfume was sweeter than Vivian's, like fruit candy dissolving in warm water.
As she brushed past Ethan, she paused for a moment.
Grace asked, "You're Luna's brother, right?"
Ethan stopped in his tracks and asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm Grace," she replied, her voice soft and caring, with the right amount of concern.
She continued, "I heard what happened. You came to Derek for money for the funeral, but he wouldn't help, right?"
Ethan didn't reply.
Grace pulled an envelope out of her bag, took Ethan's hand, and pressed it into his palm.
She added, "There's six hundred dollars in here. It's not much, but take it for now.
"Get yourself something to eat, and make sure you take care of those cuts on your hands."
Ethan held the envelope in his hand.
He said, "No, thanks. I'm here to return something, not to ask for money."
He handed the envelope back to her.
Grace didn't take it. She gently pushed his hand away.
She said, "Don't be stubborn. I'm really sorry about Luna. This money isn't from Derek. It's from me. Think of it as me buying you lunch."
She kept smiling as she spoke. Ethan couldn't see her smile, but he could feel it in her voice. It was smooth, flawless, not a single rough edge.
It was almost too perfect, like she'd rehearsed it.
Ethan was quiet for a few seconds, then finally said, "Thanks," and took the envelope into his pocket.
Grace gave his shoulder a gentle pat and walked into the lobby.
Ethan stood at the door for a moment. He reached into his pocket and felt the envelope.
Inside, along with the money, there was a folded note tucked between the bills.
He could feel it, but he couldn't see what was written on it.
Later, Mia read it for him. It read, "Don't come again."