Chapter 2

We walked home in silence. As soon as we stepped inside, I said, "Dad retires next month. Let's move to Halirica and settle down there."

Mom froze in surprise. I gave her a playful smile. "You and Dad have wanted to retire there forever. I'm not after anything grand. Teaching dance and staying with you two is enough for me."

Sitting together with my parents at Edward's place felt different this time.

Our visits used to be full of laughter and stolen moments, like last time when we'd kissed in his room while pretending to play video games. But this time, everything changed.

"Melissa, you should see how hard Edward's been working to impress Irene," Janice Shaw, Edward's mother, said with a laugh.

"He could've just asked her out normally. Instead, he's making this whole production about serious intentions and marriage prospects, even got Donald to arrange this formal introduction," she added.

I looked around at the house, which had been decorated with so much care—there were roses everywhere, their fragrance heavy in the air.

The table was laid out with fruits and sweets, and even Edward's dog had been groomed to perfection for the occasion.

Meanwhile, Edward stood in front of the mirror, keeping adjusting his appearance, obsessed with looking flawless.

The irony stung—just last night, his lips had traced that familiar red mole on my hip as we moved together in the dark.

And now he stood there wearing the underwear I had bought for him.

"Such a shame," Janice sighed, taking my mom's hand. "We used to say they'd marry one day. We'd even planned their union when they were still in diapers."

She gave me a warm look. "I've always loved Sherry. Beautiful, yes, but more importantly, she's got such a radiant personality."

I dropped my gaze, holding my silence, terrified that even the slightest movement might unleash my tears.

"Mom," Edward said, frowning, clearly annoyed. "You said that was your generation's business. If you and Melissa are so close, why don't you just marry her? This has nothing to do with me.

"Come on, we're living in modern times. Why are you still stuck on these old-school ideas?" He was straightforward, showing no respect for the older generation's sensibilities.

Then he turned to me, his tone accusatory, as if I'd put Janice up to this. "Sherry, where's the crystal bracelet my mom gave you?" he demanded.

When I didn't react immediately, he grabbed my wrist and pushed up my sleeve. "You know, that stupid childhood promise bracelet. I just don't want Irene to get the wrong idea about this."

The moment the words were spoken, both his father, Donald, and my father froze with their cups halfway to their lips.

My mom, who had been busy arranging flowers for Edward, also stopped dead in her tracks.

A terrible silence fell over the room.

The vase and scissors in my mom's hands clattered onto the table as she started toward me. Before she could get up, Janice caught her wrist.

Janice sprang to her feet and planted herself between Edward and me, giving him a hard shove. "Edward, what do you think you're saying?

"Forget about whatever is going on between you and Irene. That bracelet? You were the one who made a spectacle of yourself begging Sherry to wear it."

Edward's eyes cleared as if someone had flipped a switch.

The memory came rushing back—how he'd stolen his father's liquor and the bracelet after hearing about my admirer, and how he'd made a drunken spectacle of himself until I accepted it.

He tugged at his tie and exhaled deeply before giving me a weary smile. "I was being unreasonable. We shouldn't take back gifts. Just keep it."

"I'll return it," I said evenly, standing up. "I'll head home and get it right now. Just give me several minutes."

Before anyone could react, I grabbed my bag and strode out the door.

*****

As I reached for the door with the bracelet, a sudden burst of laughter and cheers made me pause.

"Welcome..." Edward's smile froze the instant he saw me. "Why are you back?"

He was shocked that I came back, and bringing the bracelet back surprised him even more.

When I handed him the bracelet, his stunned expression spoke volumes. He finally took it, and then leaned close to whisper, "Sherry, for our friendship's sake, don't make a scene today.

"Irene's the sensitive type. Mind your words around her."

I clenched my jaw. If Irene warranted such consideration, what did that make me?

The man I'd loved all through my youth now left me ice-cold to my core.