- 6.
<
My blood ran cold, then hot. Was my David
back?
I turned stiffly, my shoulders and legs trembling. My heart hammered against my ribs. “David”
was on the tip of my tongue, but it died there when I met his flat, emotionless gaze.
David never looked at me like that. He always looked at me with a smile, his eyes full of warmth. The sudden swing from despair to
hope sent a jolt of pain through my chest. I lowered my head, hiding my tears.
“Detective Reynolds told me… about me. But he didn’t mention you.” He paused, analyzing. “You seem familiar, but not like a colleague. Every time I see you, I feel… guilty. Almost afraid. You knew about my mushroom allergy. And your red string is the same as mine.”
We’d gotten the red strings together at a
Buddhist temple in the mountains. I’d praved for
his safety, he’d prayed for my happiness. Each
string had a small silver charm engraved with
our initials.
I’d forgotten. David was a trained investigator.
Even without his memories, his instincts were
sharp. Reynolds‘ overly friendly act wouldn’t
fool him for long. He’d figure it out soon. But
my identity… either he couldn’t guess, or he
couldn’t bring himself to believe it.
I met his searching gaze. He glanced at my ring. “Emily said you’re married. You… me…”
His hands were in his pockets, but I knew they were clenched. He was reeling.
Of course he was. He was about to marry the
love of his life, and suddenly, a woman appears,
possibly connected to his past. It had to be throwing him.
My throat was tight. I finally managed to speak.
12:40
“I am married. But… it has nothing to do with
you.”
I saw the relief wash over him.
That was the most painful moment of my life.
David, relieved that he had nothing to do with
- me.
I remembered him in high school, his ears
turning red when I caught him staring, his
flustered expression, the pure joy on his face
when I agreed to be his girlfriend. I’d only seen
that look twice.
“Then… him?” he asked, gesturing towards my
ring.
I looked at him, tears welling up. He looked at me, apologetic. “I’m sorry, I…”
I cut him off, holding up a hand. “Your
く
parents… they took me in. Treated me like a
daughter. We’re not… connected. I came here
for them, to… check on you for them. The red
string…” I tugged, the string breaking. “…your
parents got it for you, for protection. They got one for me too, as an afterthought.”
David stared at me, silent. I’d run out of lies.
That should be enough to let him marry Emily in
peace.
I somehow made it back to my room. I thought I was holding it together, but the moment I was
alone, the tears came, hot and fast.
My makeup was a mess. I stared at my reflection, pale and exhausted, and huddled on the bathroom floor, sobbing. Five years! I’d
dreamed of David’s return, and now that he was here, I had to push him away. Why me?
My stomach churned, a metallic taste rising in
my throat.
<
“Nina? Are you okay? Open the door!”
I pulled myself up, flushed the toilet, retouched
my makeup, and walked out.
“I’m fine. Just slipped.”
Lisa’s concerned look made my chest ache.
“You don’t have to pretend with me.”
I looked away. “I’m fine.”
She hesitated, then patted my shoulder and went back to bed. I turned, my eyes falling on
the orange envelope on the table. Their
wedding. The evening wedding. It should have
been mine. A surge of anger coursed through
- me. I bolted out the door, heading for the main
room.
I was going to tell him. I was his fiancée.
