Chapter 7

Flashback

I was walking to school when I spotted a kitten wandering into the road—right in the path of a speeding car. Without thinking, I rushed forward and scooped her into my arms, bracing for the worst.

Tires screeched loudly as the car came to a sudden stop. I opened my eyes slowly to see the driver stepping out, furious.

"Hey! Go die somewhere else! Look what you’ve done to my tires!"

I blinked in confusion and glanced at his car—there was no damage.

"Y-You were about to hit the kitten. I just—"

"DO YOU THINK THAT MATTERS RIGHT NOW?! I’m telling you, I won’t leave until you pay for the damage."

I held the kitten tightly, standing up.

"Why should I pay for something that isn’t even damaged? If your tires are so precious, maybe you should put them in a museum."

I mumbled that last part under my breath, but he still heard it.

"What did you just say?!"

"Nothing. I don’t have any money. I’m just a student."

"What’s going on here?"

A voice interrupted us.

I turned and saw him—Ethan William, the heartthrob of our high school—walking toward us.

Was I dreaming? My crush was actually here?

He stood beside me, waiting for an explanation with a questioning gaze. I could barely breathe, let alone talk.

"Uh… this guy… kitten… I—"

"She ran in front of my car and damaged my tires. Now she’s refusing to pay."

I nodded quickly, avoiding Ethan’s eyes. I was too flustered to explain. The kitten meowed softly in my arms. Even she seemed shy in front of him.

"How much?" Ethan asked the man calmly.

"Fifty dollars."

Without hesitation, Ethan pulled out his wallet and handed him the cash.

"No—you don’t have to pay him," I said, startled.

"It’s alright. You saved her."

He smiled at me.

He actually smiled at me.

Then, to my surprise, he gently took the kitten from my hands and began stroking her fur.

"Is she yours?"

We started walking toward the school gate together.

"No… but I feed her sometimes. My dad doesn’t allow pets."

I smiled as I watched him patting the kitten so gently. My respect for him grew in that moment. No wonder everyone adored him.

"By the way, are you new here? I’ve never seen you before."

I laughed awkwardly. "I’m in middle school. You’re in high school. Of course we’ve never met."

He smiled and tilted his head. "How do you know I’m in high school?"

My brain short-circuited.

"W-Who doesn’t know you? You’re the most famous person in school… and Emma—she’s in my class. We saw you visiting a few times."

He chuckled and shook his head.

"What’s your name?"

I blushed at the question.

"V-Violet."

_____

Present

Someone opened the door, and I looked up, quickly wiping away my tears and forcing old memories out of my mind. I often wondered why he had changed so drastically. Was it something I did? Was it because of the love letter? Ever since I gave him that letter, he'd never been the same.

"Ma’am, Mr. William could return at any moment," the maid said softly.

I nodded, understanding what she meant. I stood up on shaky legs, wincing at the pain as I walked out of the storage room.

When I returned to the bedroom, Ethan wasn’t there. I exhaled a breath of relief. My eyes landed on the nightstand. The broken photo frame was still there—untouched, exactly as we left it. I locked the door behind me and walked toward it. I hesitated, then gently picked up the damaged frame.

Suddenly, an idea sparked. I hurried to the cupboard and pulled out my art supply box—a small treasure chest I always carried with me as an art student.

I took out the materials I needed. Maybe if I repaired it, he’d forgive me. I began separating the broken glass pieces carefully, but one sharp edge cut my finger.

"Tch... Hiss..."

It wasn’t deep. I simply wrapped a bandage around it and continued, making sure not to stain the photograph. I chose to replace the glass with resin, thinking it would be safer—more durable. That way, he wouldn’t have to worry about it breaking again.

When I finished, I smiled, satisfied with the result. It even looks better now... I placed the frame gently back on the nightstand, hoping he would notice it.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

I walked quickly over and opened it—only to find Ethan standing there with a frown on his face. I swallowed hard and stepped aside.

He entered silently, not sparing me a glance, but he stopped abruptly when his eyes fell on the frame.

“D-Did you do this?”

His voice was low, uncertain. I smiled softly, hopeful.

“Um… I didn’t have glass, so I used resin. It won’t break again.”

He turned around—and the moment I saw the tears in his eyes, my smile disappeared. His jaw clenched as he took slow, heavy steps toward me.

“Didn’t I tell you not to touch it?” he growled. “Are you doing this on purpose—to piss me off? Do you enjoy ruining my things?”

I was stunned. After everything I had done to fix it, his words pierced straight through me.

“I-I don’t understand... I was just trying to—”

“Trying to what?!” he cut me off. “Do you even know what that frame meant to me?! It was handmade by my mother! And now you’ve ruined it.”

My breath caught. Handmade… by his mother?

My legs started to shake.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know—”

He grabbed my forearm, his grip painful.

“Then why did you touch it? What am I supposed to do with your sorry? Will it bring it back the way it was?”

Then came the blow that took my breath away.

“What else should I expect from someone picked up from an orphanage?”

to be continued...