Chapter 3
I still remember, my second year with Rhys.
A major flu hit Westlake, with a 3% death rate. 0
17
My immune system was weak. I couldn’t fight it off and was forcibly quarantined.[]
My eyes burning with fever, I saw Rhys’s face swimming before me.
I thought I was dreaming. Grabbing his hand, I called to him hoarsely.
“Rhys, I miss you so much.”
“Am I never going to see you again?”
I was only conscious for a few minutes each day.
Rhys had never cried in front of me before.[]
That day, though, he sobbed like a wounded animal.
He was just a hustler, but somehow he’d found a way in, volunteering at the school.]
He’d worked his way from Building A to Building C before finally finding my name on the quarantine list.
I called Rhys an idiot for risking his life to care for a severe case like me.
But Rhys wouldn’t listen. He slipped the silver bracelet onto my wrist.]
He said, “Camden, happy birthday.“[
We were both so poor back then, staring at a silver ring in a small accessory shop for ages.
I thought I wouldn’t live to see the next spring.[]
But the day Rhys wished me happy birthday, cherry blossoms were falling outside the quarantine ward window.[]
Later, I found out that silver bracelet was melted down from Rhys’s childhood protection bracelet.[]
Rhys said: “Camden, I’m tough. I can handle anything life throws at me. You just focus on living peacefully and happily.”
That bracelet had been on my wrist for nine years–a mark young Rhys had branded me with.[]
I truly believed then that Rhys and I could merge our lives together through this silver bracelet–peaceful and happy.[]
Rhys to me was like this bracelet that no longer fit.[]
I bit my lip hard, pulling and tugging at it until my wrist turned red.]
Rhys anxiously stubbed out his cigarette.]
He looked at me with bloodshot eyes, shouting angrily.[]
“Camden, what are you doing?!“]
I frowned, eyes full of unshed tears.]
Didn’t Rhys ask what price 1 wanted for ten years of youth?]
I was naming it, but now he couldn’t bear it.]
“Rhys, let’s just pretend we…”
“Don’t say ”
He rushed forward to stop me, but Lay tripped hum
With a light smile, a tear rolling down my cheek]
“Never happened 1
As I spoke. I threw the deformed silver bracelet into the koi pond outside []
Red waves rippled across the green water
Chapter 3
Rhys ran to the pond, kneeling in the heavy rain, but he could never find that silver gleam again.[]
Seeing his distress, I desperately suppressed the urge to dive into the pond to retrieve the bracelet, my chest aching.
What’s this? Did he still care for me somewhere deep down?]
The ten years with Rhys flashed before my eyes like a lantern show.[]
The pain numbed me until even breathing was difficult.
Just to repay that “happy birthday” from years ago, I suppose it was worth it.[]
But Rhys and I, no matter how difficult it was to let go of the past, would have no future together.[]
The rain drizzled lightly.
Walking into the rain, I felt like half my soul was missing.
When Rhys followed me out, he held an umbrella.
He smelled strongly of cigarettes, and his hand gripping my shoulder wouldn’t be pushed away.[]
“Camden, let me take you home.“]
Ldidn’t turn around, but Lily splashed through a shallow puddle.
Her bangs wet, sticking to her pale, fragile little face, looking utterly pitiful.[]
“Rhys, are you going to leave me here alone?”
His steps faltered, but mine didn’t stop.
I was prepared to walk in the rain, but suddenly a large umbrella sheltered me.[]
I was pulled into an embrace that smelled of warm water vapor.[]
The hand holding the umbrella was jade–white and cool
Blocking Rhys’s angry, suppressed gaze, a calm voice cut through:[]
“Mr. Keller should handle your own affairs first.“[]
“I’ll take care of my lady myself.“[]
