- 2.
Daniel didn’t stay long. He got a call and had to leave. He was a busy man, his presence at such a small gathering was already a rare
occurrence. I slipped out, making up an excuse.
I caught up with him just as his driver was opening the door of his Rolls Royce. “Mr. Reed!” I called, breathless.
Daniel paused and turned. His sharp features
looked even more austere in the cold light of
the streetlamp. “Thank you… for tonight.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied calmly. “We’re
<
The topou Cay.
10 10
getting married. You can make it public.”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
The day I returned to the city, I was all alone.
I’d run into Daniel’s car on the street. “Back to
see Ethan?” he’d asked. Those were his first
words to me.
“He’s getting married,” I’d replied.
“With his controlling nature, you’ll have a hard
time in this city.” Daniel then casually offered
me a solution: “I need a fiancée to appease my
family. Consider it.”
I’d agreed, almost without thinking. I didn’t even
understand what he got out of it. I didn’t dare
use his influence to my advantage; I just wanted
to keep a low profile.
“David Reed” was Daniel’s former name, the
one registered in the family records. Not many
people knew about it.
“Sorry… for the trouble I caused you tonight.”
Daniel stared at me for a moment, as if about
to say something, then changed his mind. “Let
me know when you get home.”
- 3.
I went back inside to get my things and got
caught up chatting with some old classmates.
By eight o’clock, it was pouring rain outside.
Everyone was stranded and booked rooms at
the hotel.
“Over?” Daniel texted, his usual concise style.
“I’m staying at the hotel.”
A long time later, he replied: “Send me your
room number. Go to sleep if you’re tired.”
I crawled under the covers after sending the message. Whether intentional or not, Ethan and Lisa’s room was right next to mine. The hotel
<
walls were thin. Lisa’s giggles pierced through
the wall, incredibly grating. She seemed
determined to make sure I heard. “Ethan,
remember last year on her birthday? We were
right next door…”
“Shut up, you’re loud.” Ethan’s voice was low
and laced with boredom.
I froze. I suddenly remembered my first birthday
with Ethan. He’d disappeared after midnight.
Even Lisa couldn’t reach him.
A wave of nausea washed over me. My eyes
stung. I couldn’t say I still loved Ethan, but I’d
given him my youth, only to become a
laughingstock.
The noises next door escalated. Lisa’s voice
was full of taunts. Suddenly, my door burst
open. A tall figure loomed in the doorway,
elongated by the light in the hallway. Cold,
damp air rushed in. My eyes were wet as I
stared blankly at the man.
