I hung up the phone and put the ring back in
the box. I told Jake goodbye and prepared to
go home.
But Connor’s driver blocked me.
Connor rolled down the back window. He
looked at me. He saw the bag in my hand.
“What’d you buy?”
Г
I hid the box behind my back. I went around
the car and got in.
Connor must have noticed something.
He saw the bag and the purse on my hand. “I
saw you had a pink box. What is it?”
“You are mistaken.”
I tucked my hair behind my ear, trying to
figure out how to reject his license plans.
Before I could think, a phone call came in.
Willow’s shriek blasted out of Connor’s phone
speaker.
“Uncle Connor, I think someone’s following
く
Connor tensed up. “Willow, don’t worry.
Where are you? I’m coming to get you.”
His panic reminded me of the time Willow
tried to kill herself.
She had found out that I was going to be
engaged to Connor. She cried. She confessed
her love to Connor. She got rejected.
So, she was irrational.
Connor regretted it. But he and I were already
engaged.
So, he was just more mindful of her.
He even told me to answer Willow’s phone
24/7.
<
In case she couldn’t find herself and would
come to me.
One time, I was in a meeting and didn’t
answer the phone. Connor’s phone was off on
the plane.
Willow cut her wrist.
Connor dumped me and took Willow to
Evergreen Temple to rest.
He didn’t care that our wedding day was
around the corner.
Connor always sacrificed my needs for
others.
So, this is the mercy the monks were talking
L
So–called mercy, but he knew I would not
leave.
He knew I couldn’t leave him.
This time, I’m not going to do that anymore.
The driver sped to Willow’s location.
She was huddled by the side of the road,
looking like a lost kitten.
But there was nobody around.
Willow flung herself into Connor’s arms.
I saw the smug smile on her face.
She knew about our license plans.
く
So, she blocked us on purpose.
I thought it was funny.
She might think this is a win.
But if she knew I was marrying someone else,
she’d see how ridiculous her actions were.
Willow nestled into Connor’s arms. She
babbled on about being followed.
Connor comforted her. He helped her into the
car.
He turned and saw me. He paused. After a
moment, he said, “You can go home on your
own.”
حط
And then he was geno
L
And then he was gone.
Where am I going to hail a cab?
I gave a weak smile and asked Jake for help.
Soon after I got home, I heard footsteps
rushing up the stairs.
Connor seemed to be relieved when he saw
- me.
He stood in the doorway. He sounded sorry.
“I’m sorry, I was busy. I didn’t get to get the
license.”
I was casual and dismissive.
<
Connor froze. He said suddenly, “Let’s get the
license tomorrow. I’ll push the meeting back.”
He was actually agreeing to it. I smirked.
“No, I made plans to give Stacy her
invitation.”
Hearing what I said, Connor looked relieved.
He didn’t know. My wedding had nothing to
do with him anymore.
The next day, I woke up and went downstairs.
