Chapter 17

We settled in the garden after leaving my mother’s house, the awful event of Amory confessing his desire to marry me still fresh in my mind. My mother’s insistence on Amory marrying Elena instead echoed painfully. I watched as Amory approached, carrying a plastic bag filled with items from the convenience store. He began placing everything on the table between us. I sat on one of the benches, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty.

Amory picked up the last item from the bag. "I heated it up," he said as he uncovered it, then paused and looked at me. "Or, do it yourself." He set it down on the table and sat across from me, wrapping the bag and picking up a can of drink.

After a long, uncomfortable silence, I finally gathered the courage to speak. My voice was weak. "About what you wanted to hear..." Amory raised his gaze, and I quickly looked away, unable to meet his cold, piercing eyes. "The war in Ukraine might go on longer than expected. Then, there will be issues with the supply o