Giving up After 99 Bad Omens

I ran into Clara Winslow again on my way out of the tarot studio. Her gaze paused on my swollen eyes for a couple of seconds before she looked away, her expression as calm as ever.

Lylia Moss, who was standing beside her, was the one who broke the awkward silence. "Mr. Quinn, are you heading back?"

My throat was still raw from crying, and it hurt too much to speak, so I merely nodded. Then, I walked to the ticket counter, planning to take the cable car down the mountain.

Behind me, Lylia sounded confused. "Are you taking the cable car? Aren't you going to make your way down on foot?"

I turned around and met the confusion in both her and Clara's eyes. A bitter feeling rose in my chest.

For three years, I'd come here 99 times to draw a card.

Every time, I'd dragged myself up the mountain step by painful step, then limped all the way back down, hoping God would see my sincerity and finally allow me to draw the Lovers card.

Only now did I understand that sincerity had never been enough.

If Clara herself didn't want me to have the Lovers card, no amount of devotion would get it for me, so why was I still making myself suffer?

I scanned the code, bought the ticket, and answered casually, "I'm tired. I don't feel like walking."

My hoarse voice had barely faded when Lylia raised the keys in her hand. "Clara and I are heading down, too. Why don't we give you a ride?"

Before I could refuse, Clara spoke flatly, "We're picking someone up. We don't have time."

As she brushed past me, she paused. Her eyes moved over my pale face, and in the end, she said, "If you know you're tired, don't do that to yourself again next time."

Clara had always been cold, even in the way she spoke. In the past, no matter how cruel her words were, I'd still thought her voice sounded pleasant.

Back then, I'd imagined that if she ever showed me concern, or if her voice ever softened with affection, it would sound even better.

Now, it seemed that was all there was to it.

…

After I went down the mountain, I headed straight for a barbecue restaurant.

For three years, because of that ridiculous Lovers card, I hadn't dared touch meat. I'd even forced myself to become a vegetarian.

Halfway through the meal, the door opened, and a familiar voice I hated drifted in.

"It smells amazing. After being abroad for years, this is the one thing I missed most!"

I looked up and saw Caleb Quinn standing by the sauce station.

My mood immediately soured. All I wanted was to finish eating and leave as soon as possible.

Then, I heard Clara's voice, tinged with helpless indulgence. "Go easy on the spice. Your stomach's not great."

My chest tightened. I looked over and saw Clara standing beside the sauce station, handing Caleb a saucer.

So, Clara's Lovers card had always been meant for Caleb.

And of all people, it had to be him.

A bitter ache spread through my chest, and my appetite vanished completely. I set down my fork and got up to leave.

The moment I picked up my phone and turned around, I collided with Caleb, who was holding a plate of sauce.

"Ah!" he cried before stumbling right back into Clara's arms.

The force knocked me off balance, and my hand slammed onto the still-hot grill.

I sucked in a sharp breath from the burn. By the time I steadied myself, the back of my hand had already turned bright red.

The pain was so intense that I immediately looked for cold water, but before I could leave, Clara grabbed my wrist. "Lucas, you need to apologize to Caleb!"

The burn on the back of my hand throbbed, and the ache seemed to pull at my chest, too.

I yanked myself free from Clara's grip and tried to rinse it without saying a word. However, she stepped in front of me, her tone cold.

"Apologize."

I lifted my head, trying my best to hold back the tears gathering in my eyes. My voice came out rigid. "Why should I?"

Caleb peeked out from behind Clara, sounding wronged. "Clara, I'm fine. I was the one who accidentally ran into Lucas."

My gaze turned cold. "Don't act like we're chummy."

Caleb immediately shrank into Clara's arms, looking terrified.