Make a promise
Chapter 1
I confessed my feelings to my uncle, Liam, a
family friend, and his response was to introduce
me to a girl in a wheelchair.
Her name was Claire, and she was apparently
his future partner.
Liam said Claire had lost the use of her legs
and her dreams trying to save him, and he
needed to be responsible for her.
I didn’t get it.
Does a life–saving favor really mean you have
to marry the person?
He didn’t answer.
Last time around, I didn’t believe Liam didn’t
love me, so I kept pushing his limits.
It wasn’t until he watched his rivals break my
fingers, one by one, that I understood. He heard
my screams, didn’t even flinch.
That’s when I gave up.
Later, my injuries kept me off the operating table. I became miserable, and eventually, I ended it all with a razor.
This time when I woke up, I didn’t hesitate. I submitted my application for Doctors Without
Borders and gave up my place as the family’s precious niece.
1
When the acceptance letter arrived, a huge weight finally lifted off my shoulders. My fingertips trembled, my eyes started to water, and I didn’t even realize it.
<
12:42
No one knew I’d been reborn.
Twenty–one years old.
Just a split second before I was about to
confess to Liam.
100
That day, I was wearing a dress he’d splurged
on for me, and we were at the fanciest hotel in
town. I’d invited a bunch of our friends to
witness the start of our love story.
Since I was a little kid, Liam had always been
there. My parents were doctors with Doctors
Without Borders, so they were always in some far–off place.
I saw them maybe a few times a year.
Liam was the one who had been there for the
majority of my life. The good, the bad, and
everything in between.
Everyone in our circle pretty much assumed I
was Liam’s little child–bride–to–be.
Last time, my friends were all excited and gave
me tips, which made my cheeks burn bright red.
I was secretly looking forward to it.
But nobody expected Liam to turn me down.
Just like the last time.
Liam seemed to know exactly what I was going
to do.
His brow furrowed a bit, his fingers fiddling, and
I knew he was trying to figure out how to let me
down easy.
His expression was unreadable.
At the time, I thought Liam was just worried
So, I smiled and said, “Liam, I like you, W’s wine 1 see you, my heart races.
“When you’rs not around, I just went to be with you, no matter how hard I try to push it down.”
“I know for sure, this is love.”
The others started sgging him on, and it all ended pretty awkwardly
But that day, I just smiled, even though my smile didn’t reach my syss.
Just as he was about to say something, I cut him off, “Uncle, the research project I’ve been working on for a year finally wrapped up last
weck.”
“I’m really excited, so I wanted to celebrate.”
Liam looked shocked, his expression faltering,
く
My friends all looked at each other, about to
speak.
I gave them a quick glance, and they quietly put
down the “Say Yes!” banner they were holding
behind their backs.
The confession was over before it began.
Afterward, Liam and his friends were smoking
in the hallway.
He was leaning against the wall, twirling a gold
lighter in his fingers.
The flame danced in the dim light.
One of his friends joked, “Dude, I thought this
whole thing was gonna be about Amelia
confessing her love for you.”
“Turns out, she pulled a fast one on us.”
Liam closed his eyes for a second, a little smile
playing at the corner of his lips.
“She’s just a kid, don’t read too much into it.”
“I don’t feel that way about Amelia, I’m just
taking care of her because of our families.”
His friend didn’t buy it.
“You’re totally in denial, man. Look at the way
that girl looks at you. You think we’re blind?
“If you were really so innocent, what were you
doing telling that kid who asked Amelia out that
he better back off? And acting like you were
her boyfriend, no less!”
Liam didn’t say anything after that.
I didn’t stick around either, just vanished into
the dark.
<
That’s exactly how Liam had acted last time.
He went way beyond the normal limits, but still
wouldn’t admit it.
When I got home, I submitted my application for
Doctors Without Borders.
My parents had both died in war zones, and I
wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Except last time, I hadn’t even gotten started
before I’d hit the end of the road.
Thankfully, fate gave me a do–over.
