“Eva said she wouldn’t break you two up,” his mother continued.<\/p>\n
“Once the baby is born, I’ll help raise it. Just pretend this never happened.”<\/p>\n
I whispered, “Auntie, let’s just forget it.”<\/p>\n
Seeing I was unresponsive, her tone changed.<\/p>\n
“Why are you so stubborn! You’re nothing more than a college student, a far<\/p>\n
cry from our Miles, and you still need to know basic principles.”<\/p>\n
“He made one mistake and confessed. Are you going to condemn him to<\/p>\n
death? Aren’t you tired of hitting a dead end?”<\/p>\n
I clutched the phone tightly.<\/p>\n
“Auntie, since you’ve always despised my education and felt our family<\/p>\n
wasn’t worthy… now that I’m withdrawing, your son deserves someone<\/p>\n
better.”<\/p>\n
I hung up immediately.<\/p>\n
Miles’ family had been academics for generations. At every gathering, they<\/p>\n
would ask about my degree.<\/p>\n
When I told them, they would exchange glances and sigh.<\/p>\n
“That university… I’m afraid it will lower our family’s average. A child’s IQ<\/p>\n
comes from the mother. Our future is going to be difficult!”<\/p>\n
Miles would sit there with a faint smile, never defending me.<\/p>\n
He actually despised me too, didn’t he?<\/p>\n
I remember when I first confessed, he looked at me with contempt.<\/p>\n
“Bianca, my girlfriend must have an SAT score of 1500. Your score just<\/p>\n
passed the baseline, right?”<\/p>\n
He accepted me later only because I pestered him for three years.<\/p>\n
In the elevator, I slid down the cold wall and sat on the floor, breathing<\/p>\n
rapidly.<\/p>\n
I don’t know how long passed before the elevator descended.<\/p>\n
When the doors opened, a tall figure stood against the light.<\/p>\n
I couldn’t see his expression, but I knew he was frowning, just like every<\/p>\n
time he saw me wronged.<\/p>\n
He raised his hand, his thumb wiping away my tears, and pulled me into his<\/p>\n
arms.<\/p>\n
“Bianca, you are not allowed to make yourself look like this ever again.”<\/p>\n
A heavy smell of alcohol hit my face.<\/p>\n
This person, usually so gentle and refined, had actually sworn on the phone<\/p>\n
earlier.<\/p>\n
I pushed him gently, afraid the doors would close, but he tightened his arms.<\/p>\n
“You’re not allowed to take it back!” he said.<\/p>\n
“Take what back…”<\/p>\n
“I’ve discussed it with both families. The wedding preparations have started.<\/p>\n
Three days from now is the most auspicious day.”<\/p>\n
He pulled me out without explanation, his sweaty palm revealing his<\/p>\n
nervousness.<\/p>\n
Looking at his tense profile, I stopped walking. “Noah, I want a traditional<\/p>\n
Western wedding!”<\/p>\n
He turned abruptly, the smile in his eyes like lit stars. “Okay.”<\/p>\n
My thoughts drifted back to the past.<\/p>\n
In high school, he was the popular figure. I was the poor student he couldn’t<\/p>\n
teach no matter how hard he tried.<\/p>\n
In college, we were separated. He took a three-hour flight every week to see<\/p>\n
me for three years.<\/p>\n
Until I started dating Miles.<\/p>\n
When I dragged my suitcase back home, Mom hugged me with red eyes.<\/p>\n
“That bastard isn’t worth your sadness.”<\/p>\n
Dad sent a message to his business partners: “Anyone who uses Miles for<\/p>\n
consulting goes against me.”<\/p>\n
I collapsed on the bed, exhausted.<\/p>\n
I opened Instagram. Eva had updated.<\/p>\n
Center stage was a selfie of her sitting on Miles’ lap, making a peace sign.<\/p>\n
I silently liked the post.<\/p>\n
Minutes later, Miles called.<\/p>\n
“Want to play games? Eva and I will carry you. Just follow us and don’t drag<\/p>\n
us down!”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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