Chapter 1

It was the fifth Christmas Eve since I faked my death. I was selling hot dogs from a street stall in Brightonia.

Out of nowhere, Edwin Stone and Nathan Stone, the father and son who dominated Harbor City, showed up right in front of my stall.

Their eyes were bloodshot, locked on me without blinking.

I was stunned for a moment, and then just went back to making hot dogs as if nothing had happened.

I said, "Want some hot dogs? Eating in or taking them to go?

"If you want to eat here tonight, you'll have to wait. It's Christmas Eve."

*****

On Christmas Eve in Brightonia, a light rain made the night feel cool. But the streets were still packed with people coming and going.

A few regulars came to my stall, so I fired up the stove again. Steam blurred my vision.

When my sight cleared, I glanced through the crowd and suddenly saw Edwin and Nathan, lurking in the shadows.

For a split second, my hands froze.

Then, I quietly shoved down the surge of emotion and went back to what I was doing, as if nothing had happened.

They caught my gaze and slowly edged closer.

I put on my usual perfect smile, looked up at them, and said, "Gentlemen, want some hot dogs?

"If you're eating here, grab a seat wherever you can. It's a busy night."

Edwin bit down hard on his lip, his eyes red and swollen.

He clearly hadn't expected me to act like this.

He walked over stiffly, dragging Nathan with him as they found a table and sat down.

"Tessa, I'll take two hot dogs." Edwin's voice was choked and rough. "As for the sauces, just put the same ones you put at home before."

I didn't pause and replied flatly, "Come on, sir. How would I know what kind of sauce you want?

"This is a small stall, so there's only one flavor. If you're picky, you'll have to bear with it.

"It's Christmas Eve, so the orders are crazy."

Edwin looked up suddenly, his lashes trembling. "Tessa, it's me, Edwin. How could you..."

"Two hot dogs, ready," I cut him off, setting two hot dogs in front of them. "Mr. Stone, I've seen you in the papers, but I don't really know you.

"Five years ago, I fell into the sea and lost a chunk of my memory. I suppose those memories weren't important.

"Enjoy. It's really busy tonight, so I can't spare time to chat with customers."

Edwin lowered his head, his hands trembling as he ate the hot dog in big mouthfuls.

He had a weak stomach. He couldn't handle mixed sauces back in the day.

Nathan, sitting beside him, sniffling as he stuffed the hot dog into his mouth.

They only looked up when they finished the hot dogs.

Edwin said, "Tessa, Nathan and I have missed you so much. Is it okay if we..."

I stepped forward, cleaned the table, and placed the bill on it. "Just pay if you're done."

Edwin wiped his mouth, looking embarrassed as he frantically searched his pockets, but didn't find a single bill.

"You have no money?" I stopped, frowning. "What, planning to skip out on the bill?"

"No, I have." Nathan, who'd been quiet all this time, suddenly got flustered.

He dug into his school uniform pocket and dumped all his loose change into my hand.

I glanced down at the pile of wrinkled bills and fished out a red string bracelet from them. It was a charm for safety and peace.

The string was fuzzy and worn out, but it was obvious that someone had taken good care of it.

"Mom..." Nathan clutched the money and the red string bracelet, his voice cracking as he pushed them toward me, tears spilling down his cheeks. "I've kept this bracelet all these years.

"I know I messed up. Please, don't turn your back on me."

That "Mom" hit like a slap, and suddenly all the customers were staring curiously.

I lifted my hand and swatted everything out of his grasp. The bracelet and the cash were scattered across the floor.

The bracelet dropped right into the slop bucket next to the table, sinking slowly out of sight.

I said, "Kid, mind your words.

"I'm all alone, and my son died years ago.

"Sorry about your bracelet. I won't charge you for the meal. Just grab a couple of replacements at the mall."

Nathan stood frozen, his face as pale as a sheet.

Edwin kept his eyes fixed on the slop bucket, not even trying to defend himself.

He picked up the money from the floor and pressed it all into the corner of the table. "Take this, Tessa... Ma'am, your hot dogs are really delicious. Thanks for the meal."

With that, he pulled the devastated Nathan along, stepping out into the rain. They kept glancing back with every step.

As I watched their figures disappear into the rain, my smile fell away instantly.

The rain outside kept pouring down, and that damp chill reminded me so much of ten years ago.

The deep scar on my right wrist, the one that cut all the way to the bone, always throbbed whenever it rained. Pain washed over me like a tide, threatening to drown me.

In a haze, I could almost sense the prison gates slowly opening behind me.