Chapter 6
He was in a dark casual outfit, with this calm, refined vibe. His features still looked like I remembered from back in the day.
“Steven!” Helen waved. “Look who I brought!”
The guy’s eyes landed on me, and his deep gaze immediately warmed up.
“Rachel,” his voice was low and smooth, with this tiny tremor you could barely catch, “Long time no see.”
“Steven Coleman?”
That neighbor boy who always looked out for me was now this mature, stable man.
I remembered he used to say he loved kids, so I just asked without thinking:
“Yeah, almost ten years! Your kids must be in elementary school by now, right?”
Steven’s smile kind of froze.
“Pfft-”
Helen couldn’t help cracking up, nudging my arm and grinning all mischievous:
“My brother’s like the family’s biggest problem! He’s definitely a catch with money, but he’s also a certified old bachelor!”
“He’s got some heartless girl stuck in his head, and he’s been waiting ten years for her. Who’s got time to get married and have
kids?”
I was totally shocked, looking up to meet Steven’s intense gaze.
That look was gentle but restrained, with this heavy weight behind it.
Suddenly, all these old memories came flooding back.
In elementary school when I got picked on, he stood in front of me.
In middle school when I twisted my ankle, he carried me all the way home.
After graduation when I was all excited about chasing David, he went quiet for the longest time, then just gently messed up my hair:
“Rachel, as long as you’re happy.”
Turns out all that protection I took for granted wasn’t just what I was owed.
Turns out while I was running myself ragged for David-for a whole ten years.
There was someone else.
Deep in time, quietly keeping a way home open for me.
Jailbird!
Chapter 6
My chest suddenly ached, this warm feeling I couldn’t even describe washing over me.
Rain started pattering outside the cabin.
Inside, the fireplace was crackling with warm light.
Steven rolled up his sleeves and expertly cleaned the fish he’d just caught.
He put the fish on a stick and turned it over the fire. The fat dripped down, making this tempting sizzling sound.
The firelight picked out his calm profile.
I sat by the fire hugging my knees, but my mind kept wandering.
For the past ten years,
I was always alone in that smoky kitchen.
David’s picky comments still echoed in my ears:
‘This food is too basic.”
Even that pale, shaky morning after my miscarriage, he frowned and said to me:
I have an important lecture today. Don’t make breakfast too late.”
had to force myself to get up.
n that empty, cold kitchen, I cooked with love, only to get disgust and betrayal in return.
Smells amazing! Steven, you’ve still got it!”
Helen dramatically sniffed the air.
teven handed me the golden, crispy fish:
Careful, it’s hot.”
‘hen he went to a storage cabinet in the corner and pulled out some cans.
Helen’s eyes lit up as she came over:
Oh! Caviar, chickpea salad-all Rachel’s favorites!”
he nudged Steven’s arm playfully:
My brother’s so hardheaded.”
‘He throws out these cans when they expire and gets new ones, like clockwork.”
‘And this fish is the kind you love. He went through hell to ship them from overseas, then built this whole pond to copy
their
natural habitat…”
I looked at Steven.
0.3
Chapter 8
In the warm yellow light, his thick lashes were down, his profile gentle and quiet.
No arguing, no explaining.
Just the soft “click” of opening cans and the crackling of the fire.
Like he was silently telling the story of ten years of waiting that I’d completely forgotten about.
Ten years.
My chest suddenly got all tight, like I couldn’t catch my breath. This burning feeling shot up to my eyes.
I looked down fast, pretending the smoke had gotten in my eyes.
