Chapter 2

Three days later, my mom called. "Wendy, when's the wedding?"

"Next month on the 18th," I replied.

"Can you push it back a bit?"

I paused for a couple of seconds. "Why?"

"Janet just left, and there's a lot happening at home. Your dad needs to help her get settled, and Julia and the others will be visiting in a few days. There's no way we can handle a wedding right now."

"Mom, the invitations have already gone out."

"Just tell everyone, it's not a big deal," Mom replied, sounding a bit impatient. "Janet's situation is the important thing. Studying abroad, that's huge.

"As for your wedding, whether it's held a month earlier or later, what's the difference?"

I stood at the counter with my phone in hand. The dough had overproofed and was starting to collapse.

"Okay," I said.

My mom's tone softened. "That's right. Once Janet's settled, we'll make sure to give you a proper wedding."

"Sure," I said.

After hanging up, I tossed the dough into the trash.

Ethan came to pick me up that evening. He saw me packing and asked, "So, have you decided?"

"Let's postpone it to next year," I said.

He leaned against the doorframe, watching me. "What about our matrimonial home?"

"We'll deal with it later."

"Wendy."

I turned to look at Ethan.

He came over and wrapped his arms around me. "We can do this without them."

I buried my face in his shoulder. "I know."

But deep down, I still had a bit of expectation left in me.

It was tiny, almost humble.

I thought maybe, after selling the house, my parents would feel guilty this time. Maybe once Janet was settled, they'd find a way to make it up to me.

Maybe this would be the last time.

I didn't know what I was waiting for.

Maybe it was just a simple, "Wendy, sorry you had to go through this." Or maybe, "Don't worry, we'll make it up to you later."

But those words never came.

Two weeks after Janet moved to Amerita, she posted a video in our family group chat.

In the video, there was the blue sky, the beach, and palm trees. She was in a floral dress, smiling brightly.

"Mom, Dad, the weather here is amazing. I went to the beach with my classmates today, and it's gorgeous," Janet said.

Mom said, "Wow, it's beautiful. Janet, remember your sunscreen."

Dad said, "Study hard, and don't just play around."

Janet said, "Got it."

I saw that message, and then started browsing Janet's posts.

There were photos at restaurants, selfies on the beach, and group photos with friends.

There was a photo of her shopping, holding a designer bag, with the caption: "Treating myself."

I scrolled for ages, but not a single post was about studying. No library, no classrooms, no books.

I set my phone down on the table.

It was eleven at night, and I was still at the shop. The oven light was on.

This was an order from a regular customer—a six-tier anniversary cake that had me working past midnight.

I was alone at the counter, piping icing onto the cake, with music playing from my phone nearby.

Ethan texted me: [You're still at the shop?]

I replied: [Yeah, still working. You should go to bed first.]

[I'll come pick you up.]

[No, it's fine. I'll call a cab when I'm done.]

[Wendy.]

I smiled and typed: [Seriously, you don't need to, honey.]

He sent a resigned emoji and replied: [Fine, I'll wait for you.]

I put my phone down and went back to piping icing onto the cake.

By two in the morning, the cake was finally finished.

I snapped a photo for my records, and then leaned back in my chair, staring at my phone screen.

The last message in the family group chat was still Janet's video.

I saw that some people were still chatting, so I tapped to check.

Mom: [Janet, do you have enough money for living this month?]

Janet: [Not really. Everything here is so expensive.]

[I'll send you some extra cash.]

[Thanks, Mom. Love you!]

I stared at those two messages for a while, and then closed the chat without saying anything.

On the cab ride home, I watched the streetlights flash by one after another outside the window.

Memories of eight years ago popped into my mind—when I showed my mom my offer from a top university.

She just glanced at it and said, "Wendy, you're sensible."

Ever since then, I'd always been the "sensible" one.

But did being sensible ever really get me anything?

The cab stopped outside our complex. I got out and tilted my head up, searching the sky.

Not a single star in sight.

A few days after Christmas, Julia dropped by our place.

It was a yearly thing. Julia, my mom's cousin, lived in the next city, and every year she'd come over for a visit during the holiday.

Mom told me to come home and "help out".

Honestly, there wasn't much to help with. I was just there to keep Julia company and make sure she saw that "both daughters" were around.

Of course, Janet wasn't around this year, but we made do with a video call.

"Come on, Janet. Say hi to Julia," Mom said, grinning as she held up her phone.

On the screen, Janet was in a sweater, with a plain white wall behind her. "Hello, Julia."

"Wow, Janet, you're really doing well. Studying for your master's over in Amerita, huh?" Julia leaned in close to the screen. "Is it cold out there? Are you getting used to the food?"

"It's all good. It's pretty comfy here..." Janet replied.

I was curled up in the corner of the sofa, peeling an apple with a small knife.

Ethan sat right beside me, quietly stealing glances my way every so often.

Janet and Julia chatted for about ten minutes before saying goodbye and ending the call.

Julia turned around and spotted me, almost like she'd forgotten I was there. "Wendy, you're here, too?"

"Hi, Julia," I replied.

"So, Wendy, what are you doing now?" Julia asked.

Before I could answer, Mom cut in, "She opened her own little bakery shop."

Julia nodded, sounding a little regretful. "Oh, so you opened a shop..."

Then she turned to Mom and said, "Janet's really doing well, studying for her master's in Amerita. Wendy just has her little shop. That's a pretty big difference."

Mom smiled and didn't retort. "Yeah, Janet's always been good at school. Wendy's not the academic type. At least she's got something going for her."

My hand froze for a moment as I was peeling the apple.

Ethan took my hand and squeezed it gently.

I went back to peeling.

Julia added, "Oh, by the way, Wendy, aren't you getting married soon? Did you guys buy your matrimonial home yet?"

The room went quiet for a moment.

Mom picked up her cup and took a sip. "We're still looking."

"You should hurry up," Julia said. "Housing prices are going up fast. If you wait any longer, it'll get more expensive."

"Yeah, we know," Mom replied.

I set the peeled apple on the plate and got up. "I'll go see what's going on in the kitchen."