Chapter 2

Samuel didn't show any emotion at all.

"So it's about that again?" His voice carried the weariness of someone who had expected this all along.

"Yvonne, I've explained this to you countless times.

"Tina's mother has a heart condition. She can't handle that kind of shock.

"My dad is away on business most of the year. He wasn't home for Thanksgiving. If we're going to tell everyone, both families have to be present.

"Do you honestly think doing so at the dinner table earlier was the right time?"

In the past, whenever Samuel asked me that question, I would lower my head and swallow every complaint, but not this time.

"So when will that be?" I clenched my jaw before asking. "Samuel, it's already been four years."

He fell silent for a moment.

"It's just a title." He looked at me. "Do you really care that much?"

A wave of helplessness engulfed me once again. I loosened my tightly clenched fists. I felt exhausted to the core.

He couldn't even give me a title.

So what exactly had I been holding on to?

"Yvonne! There you are!"

A cheerful voice interrupted us. It was Tina.

"Samuel, if you make Yvonne mad again, you'll be sorry!"

She punched Samuel lightly on the shoulder. He smiled helplessly, and his eyes were full of indulgence.

"And who am I doing all this for?"

Tina glared at him and told him to shut up before casually throwing an arm around my shoulders.

"Yvonne, that childhood engagement has been meaningless for ages. Don't overthink it.

"Come watch a movie with us this afternoon! I already bought the tickets!"

Like a magician, she pulled out three tickets.

There was a single-seater ticket and a couple-seater ticket.

Without hesitation, Samuel handed the single-seater ticket to me.

"Wait, that's the wrong one–"

"I'm keeping up appearances." Samuel stopped Tina before she could switch them.

"What if our relatives find out we aren't sitting together?"

"Oh, right." Tina pouted before turning back to me. "Yvonne, you'll have to put up with it just this once.

"It's only a seat. I'm sure you won't mind."

I forced a smile.

Then, right in front of them, I tossed the movie ticket into the nearby trash can.

"I don't mind.

"I hope you two enjoy your date."

I turned around and walked away while ignoring Tina's calls for me.

Only after I got home and collapsed onto my bed did the tears finally come.

Samuel had confessed to me during the summer after we graduated from high school.

I still remembered that night, the tiny park filled with fireflies, and the earnest passion in his eyes.

"Yvonne, I like you.

"That childhood engagement was arranged by our parents. I don't have feelings for Tina.

"From the very beginning, the only person I've ever liked is you."

Back then, he had sounded so certain.

That was why, during winter break of our freshman year, when his mother once again brought out a matching pair of bracelets for him and Tina, I stood up and prepared to announce our relationship.

Samuel pulled me back down.

He took the bracelets and personally fastened one onto Tina's wrist.

"Yvonne, the time isn't right yet."

That was the first time he had coaxed me.

Over the next four years, he came up with hundreds of excuses. He coaxed me hundreds of times that way.

He and Tina competed together in debate tournaments, they entered graduate school together, and they became the famous couple in the institution.

As for me, four years had never even earned me a single chance to stand proudly by his side.

I didn't want to keep walking anymore.

On this path meant for two, the one who should leave had always been me.

[Yvonne, I've already talked to him. Your childhood fiance just added you on Instagram. You two should have a nice chat.]

My phone chimed. My tears hadn't even dried when I saw my mom's message.

I had only asked that question on impulse. How had she moved so quickly?

Flustered, I quickly checked the new friend request. The moment I saw the name, I froze again.

How could it possibly be him?