Chapter 4

Raymond was choked speechless by my attitude.

Furious to the point of laughing, he said "fine" three times.

"Fine, fine, fine!"

"Mercedes, you're really getting more and more full of yourself."

For the next few days, Raymond didn't come home.

I don't know whether he was busy with work or spending time with Simone.

I couldn't be bothered to ask.

All I knew was that one day, he simply hauled away the birdcage.

He sent me a message to let me know.

Afraid I'd take my anger out on the bird, he was temporarily boarding it at Simone's place.

Looking at that message, I found it both absurd and laughable.

But I was glad for the peace.

No more wearing myself down over a parrot.

Until the day before the wedding.

Raymond came back.

Simone trailing behind him.

His first words as he walked in were:

"Do you realize you were wrong?"

I just found it ridiculous.

"Wrong about what?"

"You mistreated the bird, and you gave me the silent treatment for days."

I repeated myself.

"It's your parrot, and it's your job to take care of it."

"And I never gave you the silent treatment."

Raymond choked, his face darkening.

"Simone's been sick these past few days, and you didn't offer her a single word of concern."

"Luckily she's big-hearted enough not to hold it against you."

The moment he finished, Simone stepped forward and spoke earnestly.

"Mercedes, I came here today specifically to thank you."

"Thank you for giving me your protective charm. I've been relying on its protection these past few days."

I was completely stunned.

The protective charm?

My head snapped toward Raymond.

The man who'd been so righteous just moments ago.

Now his eyes darted away, not daring to meet mine.

I didn't have time to think it through—I rushed into the bedroom like a madwoman.

I dug out the little wooden box where I kept the charm.

Sure enough, the box was empty.

The charm that had been with me for over a decade was long gone.

Clutching the empty box, I hurried back into the living room.

My voice was trembling beyond control.

"You stole my protective charm, didn't you?"

Guilt-ridden, Raymond defended himself:

"Simone was in a critical state at the time. A person's life matters more than some lifeless object, doesn't it..."

"I did it for your friend. You should be more gracious about it."

I couldn't hold back any longer, and I thrust out my hand toward them.

"Give it back."

"Now, this instant, right now!"

A flicker of panic flashed through Simone's eyes.

She bit her lower lip lightly, watching me carefully.

"I'm sorry, Mercedes, I'm so sorry..."

"When I was in the shower yesterday, I forgot to take it off, and it accidentally got soaked."

"By the time I noticed, the charm had already rotted away..."

There was a buzzing in my ears.

The blood in my whole body seemed to freeze.

"What did you say?"

I stared at her blankly.

I could hardly believe my ears.

Ruined.

That was the only keepsake my parents left me.

It was the last trace of family I had left in this world.

Seeing how pale I'd gone, Raymond immediately stepped forward.

He planted himself squarely in front of Simone.

Shielding her completely.

"If you want to blame someone, blame me."

"It's just a protective charm—there's no need to make such a big deal of it."

"I'll find time later to go to the temple and get you another one, exactly the same."

I stared hard at him, and tears finally rolled down beyond my control.

"It's not like you don't know what it means to me."

"You know perfectly well."

"That was the last thing my parents left me after they died in the car accident!"

Simone hid behind Raymond, sobbing softly.

As if I were the one who'd done something wrong.

As if she were the one being wronged.

"Mercedes, I can pay you back..."

Pay me back?

I suddenly laughed.

But the tears only fell harder.

So in their eyes, my feelings could be measured in money too.

Raymond's brow furrowed even deeper.

"Simone has already apologized. Are you trying to drive her to her death?"

"Mercedes, the wedding is tomorrow—can you please stop making a scene!"

I stopped laughing.

My eyes went cold, without a trace of warmth.

"Wedding?"

"It's off."

I finally understood.

From beginning to end, I was the one who didn't belong.

Raymond took it as me talking out of anger and left only a light, offhand remark.

"Calm down first. I'll come pick you up tomorrow."

With that, he didn't spare me another glance.

He left, shielding Simone.

I didn't cry.

I just sat quietly until dawn.

I glanced at the time, picked up my suitcase, and headed to the airport.

The moment the plane slowly lifted off.

I felt lighter than I ever had before.

This time, I only wanted to love myself.