Chapter 2

By the time we reached the old James estate, laughter was already spilling out of the living room before I'd even stepped inside.

I looked up toward it.

On the sofa, Sabina Fox sat close to Amanda James, the two of them arm in arm, cozy as could be.

The moment I walked in, the laughter cut off.

Amanda lifted her eyelids.

"Why so late?"

"No sense of time at all. Can't you see everyone's waiting on you?"

Rick spoke up from the side, cutting in.

"Mom! It's still early!"

Amanda glanced at Rick, her tone going sour.

"So I'm not allowed to say a word?"

She turned and took Sabina's hand.

"Now she knows how to behave. Just back in the country and already here to see me."

"Not like some people!"

Amanda had never liked me.

She always felt I'd reached above my station to get Rick.

With me, she was cold and cutting.

Rick kept telling me not to take it to heart.

His mother was like that with everyone.

But now I could see it. She wasn't like that with Sabina.

Rick came over to me, took the gift box from my hands, and explained under his breath.

"That's just how my mom is. Don't take it to heart."

Don't take it to heart, again.

Right now the words were a careless, cheap way to smooth things over.

I pressed my lips together and looked at Rick.

"Why is Sabina here?"

"Weren't you taking her home?"

Rick paused, his voice still even.

"My mom heard Sabina was back and insisted I bring her over."

"Don't read into it."

Before I could say anything else, Rick had already walked to the sofa.

"Mom, Dani picked out this gift especially for you."

Amanda gave it a look with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, then touched the silk scarf at her neck.

"Sabina's the one who's thoughtful."

"She brought this all the way back from abroad, just for me."

"Not like some people, showing up every day with cheap junk to get by."

"If you ask me, Sabina's the better match. Same background. Not like some people who only want to climb up."

The weight in my chest grew heavier.

I looked up at Rick and said quietly,

"Rick, aren't you going to say something?"

Rick glanced at me.

"You're not like Sabina. Don't compare yourself to her."

"My mom just speaks her mind, says whatever she's thinking. Don't hold it against her."

He took my arm and sat me down at the table.

"Let's eat."

At the table, Amanda pulled Sabina close beside her, affectionate.

She kept piling food into Sabina's bowl.

And she kept bringing up funny stories from when Rick and Sabina were kids.

Rick played along, chiming in from his seat. The three of them talked and laughed, like there was an invisible wall shutting me out.

When the meal was over, Amanda suggested a photo.

Before I could stand next to Rick, she frowned and lifted a hand.

"Rick, you two aren't married yet. Who knows how things will turn out later."

"We're taking a family portrait. No need to have her in it, is there?"

Rick rubbed the space between his brows and looked at me.

"Dani, I know you don't mind. We'll take one next time."

I'd held it in all night, but looking at Sabina standing beside Amanda, I suddenly didn't want to hold it in anymore.

I pointed at Sabina.

"What about her?"

"Why does she get to be in the photo?"

Amanda's voice turned shrill.

"Sabina's family, of course."

"What makes you think you can compare yourself to her?"

Rick looked at me too, disapproving.

"Dani, when did you get so unreasonable?"

"Sabina grew up with me. She's no different from family."

"Stop dragging out these little things!"

A bitter taste came to my mouth, and inside I felt nothing but scorn.

Even now, Rick still thought it was some little thing.

Still thought I was making a scene.

Sabina stepped forward, her eyes rimmed red.

"It's fine, Rick."

"If Dani minds, I just won't be in it."

"I'll leave right now, so I'm not in the way."

With that, Sabina made a show of moving to grab her bag.

The anger in Rick's eyes finally broke loose.

He turned to me, agitated.

"Daniela, what exactly do you want?"

"You've had that sour face on all night. Is this fun for you?"

"We're just trying to have a nice dinner, and you have to drive Sabina out?"

He caught Sabina by the arm.

"You stay right here."

"Daniela, apologize to Sabina!"

Sabina lowered her head and sniffled softly, but when she snuck a glance at me, her eyes were full of malice.

And Rick was still watching me, waiting for me to back down.

But all I felt was exhaustion, head to toe.

Across from me, Rick kept Sabina shielded behind him, staring at me without blinking, as if I'd done something unforgivable.

But I was his girlfriend. I was the one who should have been standing at his side.

I didn't hesitate any longer. I turned and walked out of the old James estate.

Three years of love, and by this moment, it had truly become completely pointless.