- 7.
Finally, Julian’s grandfather spoke, his voice
firm. “Breaking an engagement is not a trivial
matter. Both of you need time to reflect. If
Chelsea still feels this way after a week, then
it’s over.”
Wenue exte
Ciperet
As soon as the Thorntons left, a cane
slammed into my back, sending me sprawling.
S
My father stood over me, cane still in his
hand. “You have one week to fix this,” he said
coldly. “Then you bring Julian Thornton back.”
The pain choked me, curling me into a ball on
the floor. Then I started to laugh. The cane
my father had used, the one he always kept
by his prized antique collection, was meant
for me.
No one knew my perfect façade was
maintained by that elegant cane.
It had been years since I’d been hit. I’d been
the perfect daughter. Even my outlandish
efforts to please Julian had been tacitly
approved by my parents.
www
Until I dared to break off the engagement.
www
The Thorntons had brought immense benefits
to our family.
I’d expected the Thorntons to accept the
broken engagement. They weren’t the type to
beg.
I hadn’t anticipated Julian’s stubbornness.
None of the staff dared to help me. I lay there
<
for a long time before finally pulling myself up
and retreating to my room.
I opened my laptop, the ache in my back
radiating inwards.
It had been a long time since I’d talked to
Seth. Sometimes, I felt like I was forgetting
him.
I typed into the chat window: “Seth, are you
kayinders the
いえ
www.cada una berdunst Mesh Note USS ANG
there?”
で
He’d left me a program that responded in his
voice. It was a simple program, with a limited
vocabulary, probably designed to placate me.
I’d memorized all its responses. But they
weren’t enough anymore.
“I’m always here,” the program replied. I’m
always here. I’m your only, eternal friend, from
when you were seventeen.
I paused.
M
Then I typed, “Seth, I think I’m going to love
someone else.”
I waited.
N
Just before the screen went black, the
program responded.
Chelsea, it said, I always wanted you to move
- on.
