17
At the hotel, after a quick tidy–up, I took out
stationery to write a letter to Ethan.
Aside from his absence after marriage, and
his entanglement with Linda, just thinking
about the three years I spent in high school.
He paid for my food and sometimes helped
with my homework.
Because of this, I needed to explain things
clearly to him.
In the letter, I wrote that I’d already broken off
the engagement and applied to another
university.
From then on, we would part ways and never
see each other again.
Halfway through writing, I heard a knock on
the door. I thought it was the hotel staff, but
when I opened the door, I saw Ethan standing
there.
He looked haggard, as if he’d been running
around.
Seeing me, he sighed in relief, “I finally found
you, it’s good that you’re okay… it’s good that you’re okay.”
I was silent. I thought he would scold me.
“Okay, don’t be angry, let’s go home,” Ethan
came in, wanting to help me pack.
I quickly covered the half–written letter with
my books.
But his eyes fell on a silver bracelet in the
bundle, his expression changed as he picked
it up,
“How is this bracelet here?”
I was startled, regretting not packing things
better.
“Lily was rummaging through my things this
afternoon, a bell fell off, I fixed it.
دو
The bracelet was our betrothal gift from when
we were children, and I took it back last time.
Ethan’s expression became strange, “I mean,
Г
how is this bracelet here? Shouldn’t it be with
my mother?”
As I racked my brain for an explanation, he
suddenly laughed, “I see, my mother asked
you to bring it to me, right?”
He put the bracelet back into the bundle,
“Keep it for now, we’re getting married soon, what’s mine is yours, keep it all.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
But my hand still remained on the bundle.
Ethan frowned, “What? Still angry? Lily was
wrong, but she’s a child, don’t make a fuss!”
“Do you know how worried Linda was when
you ran off?”
“She came out to look for you late at night,
even scraped her knee, and is still resting at
home!”
“I find it strange. Lily is usually very well-
behaved, yet you always clash with her…”
Ethan wanted to say more, but seeing my
calm expression, he hesitated.
I suddenly smiled, “Do you know? This
afternoon, your daughter was rummaging
through my things, and I told her to get out.’
39
“But your Linda said I didn’t have the right to
tell her to leave.”
“She also said that even if I marry you, I still
can’t win against her.
“”
I looked at the man’s face changing little by
little, “What’s ‘my daughter‘? She’s your
goddaughter!”
Ignoring him, I continued, “You’re always
using the excuse of taking care of your
brother’s widow to get close to her.”
“But if your brother knew how you take care
of his wife, do you think his coffin lid would
stay put?”
My sarcastic laugh and sharp words shattered
Ethan’s self–deception.
His expression changed drastically, and he
Г
seemed to stagger.
After a while, he said with difficulty, “Since
you’re not going home, reflect on yourself
here!”
“I’ll come pick you up in a few days!”
Ethan turned and fled in a panic, “I never
meant to hurt you, I’ll file the marriage report when I get back!”
As his stumbling footsteps faded, I closed the
door expressionlessly.
How ridiculous.
In his eyes, him filing a marriage report and
marrying me was a great favor.
I should be grateful.
