Chapter 2
Unexpectedly, after I'd seen Claire's mom off. When I woke up, I heard Claire's voice outside.
I was surprised to hear her voice.
Claire used to hate me with a passion seven years ago.
She once stood in front of my house for three days and nights, tears streaming down her face, demanding answers. Why did I betray her?
When I told her, cold as ice, that I didn't love her anymore, her whole body shaking, she slapped me over a dozen times.
After that, whenever she saw me in the hallway, she'd turn around and walk the other way. Even passing by my door, she'd wrinkle her nose in disgust.
She wouldn't even go to the little store we used to hang out at.
She hated me so much that if anyone mentioned my name, she'd give them a frosty glare and say, "Why are you bringing up David Lane? If you don't find it disgusting, I do."
Even on the day she left for the airport, I braved the pouring rain to see her one last time.
When Claire saw me, she shot me a look full of contempt, then smashed the couple's ring we once bought and her phone packed with all our photos right at my feet, letting out a mocking laugh.
Without even sparing me a glance, she turned and walked away.
But I never imagined that seven years later, she'd show up at my place on her own.
But in a moment, I figured out what was going on through the crack in the door.
Claire was clutching her fiancé's hand.
Claire said, "Mrs. Lane, are you still upset about what happened seven years ago? Is that why you won't let David take me to choose a wedding planner or pick out rings?
"Mrs. Lane, I don't like David anymore, and I'm over it now. After all, we grew up together. If we can't be lovers, we can at least be friends."
As soon as Claire finished speaking, the guy next to her jumped in.
He said, "Mrs. Lane, Claire already told me everything about her and David. Sure, David messed up seven years ago, but they were both kids back then. You know, it takes two to tango. So, Claire probably wasn't perfect either.
"I should thank David. If he hadn't walked away from Claire, I never would've had the chance to meet someone as incredible as her.
"Mrs. Lane, there's no need to keep holding onto what happened all those years ago. Plus, it was my idea to have David help us pick a wedding planner.
"Claire and I haven't been back in seven years, so we're pretty clueless about things here. And leaving the wedding decisions to the older generation? Their taste isn't our thing."
When I was first diagnosed with cancer seven years ago, all I wanted was for Claire to forget about me and move on.
But now, hearing her talk about what happened seven years ago, about me, with such calmness, it hit me hard.
She didn't even try to hide anything from her fiancé.
A swarm of pain spread across my chest.
Meanwhile, my mom, hearing Ryan throw around words like cheating and all that veiled hostility, her eyes went red with anger.
Her lips quivered several times before she finally shouted at Claire, "You and your mother are both absolutely shameless."
Hearing my mom's words, my chest tightened. I quickly pushed myself up and called out, "Mom, come in here and help me into my wheelchair. I want to talk to Claire myself."
My mom came into the room.
When she saw me sitting up, her face was still sour.
But I hugged her tight. "Mom, please, help me fix one last regret before I die, okay?"
Her eyes grew red, but she still went to the cabinet, picked up my wig, and helped me put on my down jacket.
As soon as my mom wheeled me out the door, Claire frowned, "Seriously, what's up with you? You were lazy when we were kids, and you're still as lazy now.
"It's not like you're completely helpless, a bum leg. Your mom's getting old, and you still make her run around taking care of you?"