Chapter 4

The moment those words left my mouth, Camille's expression changed completely. Every trace of guilt vanished, replaced by nothing but rage.

"Ryland, are you done?

"Elliot went that far for you, yet instead of being grateful, you humiliate him? Are you really that cold?

"No wonder your parents shipped you off to the countryside when you were a kid. No wonder nobody wanted you around. You deserved every bit of it.

"You don't deserve anyone's love, Ryland. Not anyone's.

"Elliot, don't bother apologizing to someone like him. You did nothing wrong. Let's go."

She glared at me and took Elliot by the arm, and the two of them walked away.

I watched them leave hand in hand, and the snow swirling in front of me might as well have been falling inside my chest. Everything felt cold and heavy. For a moment, I could not breathe.

I managed to make it to a nearby bench and pulled out my phone. Only then did I notice a message from my closest friend, Griffin Weir, sent half an hour ago.

Griffin: [Ry, I moved to Bridgeton. When are you coming back?]

I stared at the message and realized I might actually have somewhere to go.

I called Griffin, gave him the short version of the story, and got in a cab to the location he sent me.

The moment I sat down in the car, my phone started buzzing nonstop. I checked the screen. Every message was from Camille.

Camille: [Since it's our ninth anniversary, I'll let it slide this time.]

Camille: [Here, take a look. Pick whichever one you want, and I'll buy it for you.]

Camille: [Happy now?]

She had sent over a dozen images in a row. I scrolled through them absently, each one more careless than the last.

A snow globe, a Barbie doll, a water gun, a bouquet of black flowers.

Camille: [Hurry up and pick one!]

I looked at one thoughtless gift after another, and the corner of my mouth twisted. All I felt was disappointment.

When I did not respond, her patience must have run out.

Camille: [Forget it. Don’t choose. I'll just send you money, and you can buy your own.]

A transaction notification popped up right after.

The note read: [Happy 6th wedding anniversary.]

It was our ninth.

I opened it. When I saw the amount, I laughed, though the laughter did not reach my eyes.

She had given me $10. That was not even enough for the snow globe.

I was about to put my phone away when a text came through from a number I did not recognize. It was Elliot.

Elliot: [Sorry about earlier, Mr. Thorne. I already talked to Camille. She said she had an anniversary surprise lined up for you, right?]

Elliot: [She's been busy lately. If there's anything she missed, just come to me.]

Message after message came in, every line dripping with concern, every word supposedly for my benefit. However, it was not hard to see the provocation lurking underneath.

I pulled up the keyboard and slowly typed out a reply.

Ryland: [Ever consider acting? You're a natural.]

Less than a minute later, Camille called me.

I stared at the screen and rubbed my temples. I was exhausted.

When I did not pick up, she called again and again.

The moment I finally answered, her voice was sharp and furious.

"Ryland, what is wrong with you?

"Elliot was trying to be considerate, yet look at what you said to him. Do you even hear yourself?

"If you keep acting like this, you can forget about ever meeting my parents."

I opened my mouth to respond, but the line went dead.

All I could do was sit there, staring at the phone in my hand.