Chapter 3

When everything settled down, I saw Lennon and Quentin holding Jenn tightly in their arms. They were only three steps away from me. The collapsed wall was right beside me, and all they had to do was turn around and give me a hand, but they had once again abandoned me and chosen to protect Jenn.

At this moment, I was truly disheartened and had no more lingering feelings for them. I pushed away the fallen beam in front of me with a lingering fear. Had I taken one more step, I would have surely been hit.

The neighbors who heard the noise rushed over and saw me hiding alone in the corner while Lennon and Quentin were protecting Jenn. They all looked at the three of them with looks of disdain on their faces.

Aiden was the first to arrive. "Elise, are you alright? You didn't get hurt, did you? In a few days, you'll—"

"Mr. Zigger! I'm fine!" I quickly interrupted, fearing that Aiden would let the cat out of the bag. I also secretly increased the force of my grip on him.

Aiden glanced at the three people not far away, shook his head helplessly, and walked away.

Having heard half of Aiden's statement, Quentin hurriedly leaned over, his face full of flattery. "Elise, didn't we agree that our wedding would be postponed to two months later? Jenn's illness probably won't get better in a short time. Just wait! But if you're really unwilling, we can get our marriage license first in a few days. I remember the items have already been delivered."

He seemed to have forgotten that Jenn had already destroyed the items on the very day they were delivered.

I was furious at the time and had a big fight with Jenn. She ended up smashing my wedding gifts in anger. Lennon and Quentin even called me ignorant for being angry at a child. I cried out of grievance back then, but I was now unbothered.

Before I could refuse, Jenn tugged at Quentin's sleeve and looked at Lennon, all teary-eyed. "Quentin, Lennon, my mother's death anniversary is in a few days. Can you accompany me back to see her? That place is too far away. I'm really scared to go alone..."

Quentin glanced at me awkwardly before pretending to knock her on her forehead. "You fool, why did you only mention such an important thing now?"

Lennon chimed in, "Yes! If you had told us earlier, we would've made preparations earlier. But don't worry. We'll accompany you back!"

Jenn's eyes reddened. "I'm sorry, I just remembered it. But I can go back by myself if you guys have something to do. I'll just leave early and come back as soon as possible in the evening!" After saying that, she wiped her tears and prepared to turn around and leave.

"No!"

"No!"

Lennon and Quentin retorted in unison.

Then, each of them held Jenn's hand. Lennon said first, "I'll be free in a few days. I have time!"

Quentin also looked awkwardly at me. "Elise, your brother has never been there before. He's unfamiliar with the route. How about..."

I sneered, "Are you worried that she'll go alone and never come back? You're both fighting to pay respects to someone else's mother!"

Quentin's expression instantly darkened the moment I finished speaking. "Elise, you've gone too far! I won't allow you to criticize Jenn like that! It's just a marriage license. We can get it anytime. Jenn's mother's death anniversary only comes once a year!"

Lennon also grew angry, pointing at my nose and gritting his teeth. "When did you become so heartless? You just have to wait two more days before getting your marriage license, but Jenn would have to wait a year if she misses this. I think you're getting more selfish as you grow older!"

I never intended to be nice to them in the first place. I met Lennon's ferocious gaze and slowly answered, "So, you're notifying me instead of discussing it with me, right? If you want to go, go! The wedding has already been postponed. What else can't be postponed? It doesn't matter anyway..."

I would be gone when they returned anyway, so it did not matter.

I gave the quilt to my neighbor. Then, I found Mary Barter, the matchmaker who introduced me to Quentin back then, and returned all of the wedding gifts in front of the matchmaker. Some of the ruined ones were compensated with cash.

After carrying my luggage and setting off, I met the group on their way back when I was resting behind a rock on the mountain road. Jenn and Quentin were sitting amidst the bushes that were as tall as a person, but Lennon was nowhere to be seen.

"Quentin, you're getting marriage license tomorrow. I know we can't be together, but I just wanted to give you all of me before you got married! Don't worry. I'll get together with Lennon after you get married. I won't bother you!" Jenn said.

I tried to hold back my disgust. Lennon was calling out to her in a hurry, and Jenn hurriedly walked out of the bushes alone. Quentin was nowhere to be seen for a long time.

"Why did you two leave so fast? You disappeared while I went to the toilet. It was so difficult to find you! By the way, where's Quentin?"

Jenn looked guilty as she stammered, "H-He said he was worried that Elise would be angry, so he's going back to comfort her."

I stood behind the rock, watching Jenn put her arms around Lennon's neck and give him a peck before leaning on his shoulder. She seemed to look right in my direction as she asked, "Lennon, are you going to always side with me if Elise bullies me?"

"Of course! You'll always be the first in my heart!"

My mind flashed back to when Lennon and Quentin still protected and cared for me. The mountain breeze blew over me, making my cheeks cold. I realized that my tears had wet my face at some point.

'Quentin, Lennon, we no longer owe each other anything,' I thought as I wiped my tears and strode away.

I seemed to see Lennon looking in my direction from the corners of my eyes, but Jenn dragged him away again while making a fuss before he could take two steps forward.

As soon as I arrived outside the train station the next day, I saw Lennon and Quentin guarding both sides of the ticket gate while looking around. I recalled yesterday's scene and was annoyed, so I quickly led all my classmates to the furthest ticket gate.

Just when I thought I had finally entered the station and gotten rid of them, familiar voices rang behind me.

"Elise!"

Lennon's and Quentin's anxious shouts caught the attention of the surrounding passengers.