Chapter 2
That night, I saw Serena’s Instagram story.
A photo of River looking down while listening to her lecture.
Caption: [Thank God for you.]
A little later, she posted a picture of sushi: [Thanks for remembering what I like.]
I immediately threw my phone aside.
Clutching my pillow, feeling absolutely miserable, I couldn’t sleep all night.
The next day, Serena had posted again.
Buzz-
F 2 0 2 282ěž
A photo of River sleeping.
The caption was totally suggestive: [Poor guy’s exhausted!]
Weirdly, there were no likes. The next second I figured it out–this post was only visible to me.
Suddenly, my chest felt suffocating.
River texted me.
[Mom wants you to try on engagement dresses.]
[Serena’s got surgery today–first time as lead surgeon, so I need to supervise. Won’t be able to come along.]
After reading it, I immediately blocked him.
When I went downstairs for breakfast, Mom had just finished talking to River’s mom.
She waved me over with a smile, saying River’s mom had taken the day off to help me try on dresses.
She’d also taken time off work to come with me.
“I’ve loved that River kid since he was little. My instincts were spot–on–look how amazing he turned out. Willa, marrying him is like you saved the world in a past life.”
I bit my lip and worked
up
the
courage to say, “Mom, we broke up. The engagement’s off.”
My Mom’s face instantly changed.
“You’re calling off the engagement without any warning? You think this is some kiddie game?”
Seeing her eyes turn sharp instantly, my body couldn’t help but tremble. “I thought River would’ve told you.”
“River’s so busy, and he still has to deal with your constant drama. Poor guy. When are you gonna learn to grow up?”
Finally, tears started streaming down my face, an adult. What am I supposed to do!”
uncontrollably. “Yeah! I haven’t grown up, I’m a three–year–old. But nobody ever taught me how to be
Dad, who’d been quiet this whole time, suddenly spoke up. “If she doesn’t want to get engaged, she doesn’t have to. What’s the big deal?”
Then he asked me, “Not gonna work at his place anymore?”
I sobbed in response. “Yeah, Dad… I just want to go abroad and study some more.”
Mom got even angrier and was about to say something when Dad shot her a look that shut her up.
“If you wanna go, go. First time in years I’ve seen you stand up for yourself. Good for you.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle the engagement thing.”
Right then, I got a call from my best friend:
“Willa, my brother’s having a heart episode and he’s at your boyfriend’s hospital, but the paperwork’s taking forever and I’m scared he can’t wait that long. Could you maybe ask your boyfriend to take a look?”
I went quiet for a few seconds.
My friend immediately apologized. “Sorry, Willa. I’m just panicking. I know you hate when I ask stuff like this. Sorry! I’ll figure something else out.”
I sighed. “Don’t worry, I’m heading over right now.”
