Life After Them

By the time David Moreno and Eva Bennett got back, it was almost 11 p.m.

The moment the door opened, Eva’s voice drifted in before she did.

"Leah, you really missed out by not going!" She took off her coat, carrying a gift bag from the restaurant I had reserved.

"The window seat was gorgeous, right over the river. Though the air conditioning was pretty strong, you definitely couldn't have handled it. And the cake! The frosting wasn't overwhelming. I tried it for you, so it’s completely safe. Although David said it was too sweet and told me not to eat too much."

As she said this, she looked back at David, who was leaning against the entryway with a light smile. "You ate half a slice, and you've got the nerve to say 'not too much.'"

"Wasn't I just testing it for Leah?" Eva immediately glared at him, but David just chuckled and let it drop.

They went back and forth, looking as if they had just finished a real date. Meanwhile, I sat on the couch, unable to find a single opening to join the conversation. It was only after a long moment that Eva finally noticed I wasn't smiling.

She walked over timidly. "Leah, are you upset?"

"What do you think?" I looked at her.

Eva’s eyes instantly welled up. "I know I boss you around too much, but I’m honestly just terrified something might happen to you. Back in high school, when you collapsed on the track field, the doctor said it would've been critical ten minutes later.

"David carried you on his back all the way to the nurse's station that day, and my hands were shaking so hard out of pure fear. Leah, if anything happens to you again, the ones who'll hurt the most aren't you. It's the two of us."

The smile on David's face faded. He stepped over to me, his tone deepening. "She’s just looking out for you."

That phrase again.

Since that episode in high school, they had turned my life into a minefield of restricted zones. Even though I had told them countless times that during my checkup six months ago, the doctor explicitly said I had recovered very well. As long as I avoided extreme physical strain, I could live just like any normal person. It was just that they never believed it.

After Eva left, I looked at David, pressed my lips together, and asked, "So, are we still going to try on the rings tomorrow?"

David frowned, acting as if my question had come out of the blue. "What kind of question is that? Of course we are. The wedding is only a month away. How can we not try on the rings?"

I nodded, wanting to give this relationship one last chance.

The next afternoon, when I arrived at the jewelry store, Eva was already sitting beside David. "Leah, over here!" she waved at me.

Seeing my footsteps halt, David offered a completely natural explanation. "Isn't your skin usually pretty sensitive? I had Eva test the size for you first, so you wouldn't flare up."

Just then, the clerk brought out the ring, the inside band engraved with David’s and my names. Before I could even reach out, Eva picked it up and gently slipped it onto her own ring finger.

"It fits perfectly." Her eyes glittered as she held her hand up in front of David. "David, look! Doesn't it fit super well?"

The clerk smiled warmly. "You two look so great together, as if it was custom-made for Ms. Bennett."

Eva blushed and looked at David, who simply chuckled. "She just loves showing off."

He didn't explain or correct the clerk. Standing to the side, I felt like an unwanted third wheel as Eva turned the ring on her finger, thoughtfully offering her review.

"Leah, I think this size might be a little tight for you. I don't know why, but it feels like it was tailor-made for me."

Right after saying that, she looked at me in a panic. "Don't take it the wrong way, though! I didn't mean it like that."

I didn't say a word. She tried to pull the ring off, but it stuck at her knuckle. She tried a second time, but it wouldn't budge.

David’s expression shifted, and he took hold of her hand. "Don't force it."

The clerk grew nervous as well, joking half-heartedly, "Sometimes when a ring won't come off, it's considered a good omen. It's a sign it belongs there!"

Eva’s face flushed even redder while David reprimanded her in a low voice, "Keep your hand still."

Suddenly, I found the whole thing completely pointless. "There's no need to take it off."

They both looked up at me at the same time.

"Since it fits so well, just keep it on," I said calmly.

Eva froze. "Leah..."

I stared at the ring on her hand, the one engraved with my name.

"Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't fit." Then I turned around and walked out.

When I got back home, I started packing my bags. The acceptance letter for my advanced studies abroad had come in long ago. My mentor, Professor Hildon, had followed up with me three times about it, but I had always put it off.

At 9 p.m., David and Eva finally returned. As expected, the ring was still on Eva’s hand.

She stood timidly by the doorway. "Leah, are you still mad?"

"No." I pressed my passport into the suitcase.

David glanced over at my luggage, his brow furrowing instantly. "What are you throwing a fit about now?"

Eva quickly pulled out a stack of invitation samples, her tone carrying a hint of a plea. "Right, the wedding team wants us to pick a color theme. Leah, why don't you choose one?"

I casually pointed to the muted blue on the far left.

"Too cold," David spoke up immediately.

"It feels a bit unlucky, too," Eva added softly. "This blush pink is warmer. It’ll really bring out your complexion."

She looked up at me, her tone as gentle as always. "Leah, I’m only doing this for your own good."

Looking at the ring on her hand, I suddenly smiled.

She tried the restaurant for me. She tried the cake for me. She tried the ring for me. And now, even the wedding color theme had to be chosen for me.

I snapped my suitcase shut.

It didn't matter. I just needed to hold on for a few more days. Once this wedding tailored for someone else was over, I'd leave.