Chapter 6
The wind howled through the phone, loud enough to drown out his breathing.
“You packed up and left just because of that guy?”
“What, just because he’s rich? Wow, you really are that cheap!”
“Look, I know you’re angry, but if you come back now, I can still give you a wedding.”
I gazed out the window at the moon–cold, silver, distant.
“Yeah,” I said, my voice flat, “because he’s rich. A hundred times better than you.”
I heard Harvey suck in a sharp breath, like he
1/8
was holding back the rage.
When he spoke again, his words cut through the air.
“Ha! Does he even know? That I’ve had you for seven years? That you’ve carried my kids -three times? If he finds out all that, you think he’ll still want you?” He scoffed.
“Berenice, you’ll always be min
A dull ache spread across my chest, and my throat tightened. My eyes burned with tears, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak.
Harvey must’ve sensed it, because his tone softened.
“Babe… all these years, all we’ve been through–was none of it real?”
2/8
I could hear the words hovering on his lips, but then a girl’s voice cut through the silence.
“Harvey, the bathtub faucet’s broken. Can you come check?”
I couldn’t stop myself–I laughed, the sound bitter and hollow. Then I hung up and
deactivated that damn alternate account for good.
My cheeks felt cold, and when I touched my face, my fingers came away wet.
I’d only gotten close to Harvey because of a promise. That’s it. But if I could go back, I’d never have made it.
His mom used to be my neighbor. It was when I’d just escaped and was still trying to find my way.
3/8
She’d been kind. Taught me things about the world I hadn’t known.
That’s how I met Harvey. Back then, he was eighteen–a rebellious kid who hated school.
We weren’t close at first.
Then his mom got really sick. She knew her time was short, and on her deathbed, she asked me to look after him.
I agreed.
So I stepped into the chaos of that rebellious teenager’s life.
And I stayed there for nine years.
I think I’ve more than fulfilled that “promise.”
4/8
“Sweetie, what are you thinking about? It’s time to go out.”
My mom’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She gave my shoulder a gentle nudge.
Because I had come home, and because of my wedding to Torin, my dad had thrown this big party.
The crystal chandeliers sparkled so
intensely they almost blinded me. Laughter, conversation, and the clink of glasses filled the air, cameras flashing in every direction.
I turned to the side, trying to escape the crowd, but Torin stepped in front of me.
He glanced back at me and smiled.
Honestly, he seemed like a decent guy–a
5/8
good guy.
If I’d met him first, maybe things w
been different.
But with so many strangers at the party, I didn’t dare drink too much. I feigned drunkenness and snuck outside for some air.
The clouds had cleared, leaving the cold moon stark in the sky, faint stars scattered like dust along the edges.
With the moonlight, I noticed someone walking toward me.
Harvey.
He seemed thinner.
And beside him, holding his arm, was Leigh, her dress glittering faintly under the soft
6/8
lights.
“Come back with me,” Harvey said, his voice firm, as if it were a command.
I didn’t respond. I just turned to walk away.
But his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with enough force to hurt.
Frowning, I snapped, “Let go of me!”
“What will it take for you to come back with me?” His voice cracked, his eyes rimmed with red.
I wanted to laugh, but even the thought of smiling felt exhausting.
Leigh’s soft, fragile voice floated toward me.
“Berenice, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you
7/8
two to fight. Please, forgive Harvey. He… He really loves you.” Her voice faltered, as if she were on the brink of tears.
From inside the house, laughter spilled faintly into the cold silence of the garden.
“Harvey,” I said, my voice steady now, “I’m not coming back with you.”
“Are you serious? We’ve kno
each other
for nine years, Berenice! What do those nine years mean to you?”
8/8
