Chapter 10
Adrian went to Violet’s room.
She’d never had much to begin with–many things were items Adrian had insisted on buying for her.
But even so, Adrian noticed the room felt eerily empty.
In this house, almost all traces of him and Violet together had disappeared.
The gifts he’d given her, souvenirs from their trips, even Violet’s treasured photos–all gone.
He sat on the window seat, looking outside where yellow leaves spiraled down, when something suddenly caught his eye–a glint of something
under the bed.
Adrian pulled it out and wiped away the dust.
Buried memories came flooding back-
This was a silver bracelet he’d bought Violet with his first scholarship money.
Back home, older family members would give girls silver bracelets when they came of age–less jewelry than a blessing and wish from family.
Back then, he and Violet were both poor. Sometimes they could barely eat, let alone afford things like this.
Violet never said anything, but every time she saw pretty bracelets on other people, she’d steal extra glances, her longing impossible to hide
So when he got his first scholarship, he bought her a silver bracelet–the simplest style, just a few hundred bucks.
But when Violet saw the bracelet, she told him to return it.
Adrian clearly saw the delight and love in her eyes though. They had their first fight over it, but in the end Violet kept it.
From then on, she wore it every day, rarely taking it off.
Adrian held the bracelet in his palm, overwhelmed by memories.
When Adrian returned to the lab two days later, he looked haggard, like he’d aged years in just two days, a dark cloud hanging over him.
Seraphina acted like nothing had happened, coming over to Adrian.
“These are the hotels my parents picked for the engagement party. Which one do you like best?”
Seraphina seemed certain he’d accept, placing the brochure directly in his hands.
Adrian glanced at it and pointed randomly at one.
Seraphina didn’t care about his half–hearted attitude, actively putting her arms around his shoulders.
“Adrian, I’m so happy you’ve come around.”
Adrian didn’t reject her touch–even kissed her forehead when she leaned in.
That evening on their date, Adrian cut Seraphina’s steak for her.
“Thanks, Adrian. You’re so sweet.”
Looking at Seraphina’s smile, Adrian saw Violet from years ago in a trance.
Chapter 10
Their first time at a steakhouse, both of them were clumsy with knives and forks.
It wasn’t even real steak–just processed meat.
The taste was nowhere near as good as what they had now, but Adrian’s thoughts kept drifting back to that time.
“Adrian, what are you thinking about? I called your name twice and you didn’t respond.”
Adrian snapped back to reality, hiding his emotions.
“Nothing, just thinking about work.”
Seraphina pouted unhappily: “Thinking about experiments on our date! Tomorrow’s a holiday–you’re taking me to the amusement park.”
Faced with Seraphina’s request, Adrian’s mind flashed to Violet on the carousel.
That was after their situation had improved a bit–he’d taken Violet there himself.
Thinking of this, Adrian somehow found himself nodding, agreeing to Seraphina’s request.
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