Chapter 8
John’s words shattered me.
I laughed coldly and walked out.
Someone once told me promises were worthless, actions were everything.
I hadn’t believed it then. I did now.
I took a cab to the Johnsons‘, planning to see Mr. Johnson before leaving for good.
On the way, I got a video call from Kevin.
“Ashley, look at these beautiful tulips!”
“England’s so great. Are you sure you’re
<
coming back?”
He was a classmate, had pursued me
relentlessly during my exchange year in
England.
Raised there, he was more upfront about his
feelings.
Every attempt at courting me was a marriage
proposal.
He’d say, “My dad taught me, if you love
someone, go for it! Don’t let them get away!”
“I’m coming back.”
“In three days.”
His eyes lit up.
<
At the Johnsons‘, the maids were wrapping
wedding favors.
The house was adorned with “Double
Happiness” symbols.
“Miss Ashley, you’re back?”
A maid gasped.
Mr. Johnson, equally surprised, asked why I’d
returned.
I told him it was a short visit, I was leaving
soon.
“Won’t you stay longer? Your brother’s
getting married.”
L
He beamed.
He didn’t know about my feelings for John.
“I can’t. School’s hectic.”
“Oh well.”
He sighed.
“By the way, your future sister–in–law had a baby boy three days ago.”
“I wanted to tell you, but John said you were busy and he didn’t want to disturb you.”
He didn’t know John had deliberately kept me in the dark.
୮
Afraid I’d cause a scene.
I smiled. “Please congratulate her for me, and
tell her to take care of herself.”
“Of course, of course.”
He was overjoyed.
“Your brother’s fiancée, she’s your best
friend, isn’t she? Birds of a feather flock
together, as they say. She’s just as kind and
thoughtful as you, and so good to your
brother.”
“John was in tears when the baby was born.
He told me right away he was going to marry
her.”
Each word felt like a knife twisting in my gut.
But it didn’t hurt as much as it should have.
I’d loved John for ten years, yet it took less than ten days to start letting go.
As I was about to reply, John and Jessica walked in, Jessica’s arm bandaged, holding the baby.
John glanced at me coldly, then led Jessica
into a room without a word.
“Huh, that boy didn’t even say hello. You two
used to be so close.”
Mr. Johnson’s words brought back memories.
John and I had always been close.
John and I had always been close.
He’d sneak me out for late–night snacks, buy
me a phone with his allowance.
Even gifted me a car when I got into college.
He’d said, “Ashley, I don’t want anyone
looking down on you. I want you to have
everything.”
Everything he’d done showed how much he
cared.
So I didn’t understand. How could a year
apart change his feelings?
Or had he never loved me at all?
<
Seeing my silence, Mr. Johnson suggested we
see the baby.
