Red Rose

"Dad, it was my fault before, now I want to come home."

Richard Houston, my dad, on the other end of the phone froze. He was very surprised. "Are you sure? I'll send you to Wilcraston when you come home, and you can live there as long as you like.

"What happened? Before, you abandoned your family for those roses. You said you only love Jeffrey. What's wrong?"

I stood in the messy rose garden, picking up a rose that hadn't been broken yet. I forced a smile. "I no longer love him, but money matters."

Hearing my voice trembling, Dad made it quick. "I need three days to arrive at your place. Deal with your personal affairs during those days.

"After all, you've loved each other for so many years. Don't end it ugly."

I said yes, looking down at the bracelet engraved with oath. I was a little absent-minded.

Indeed, we loved each other for so many years.

I still thought about the past. My cell phone vibrated. It was a message from Jeffrey Chaney, who used to be my fiance.

Jeffrey: [The house needs to be cleaned. Come back soon.]

The living room in the photo was full of roses.

I didn't reply, but picked up the intact roses and put them aside.

After making sure they were all placed, I returned to the villa on the mountain in muddy shoes.

"Is it that hard to ask you back?"

Jeffrey frowned as he leaned back on the sofa, expressing his dissatisfaction with my late return.

"The road was too muddy for walking."

I started to clean up the mess on the floor, but accidentally picked up an old ring covered in scratches. Just as I was about to put the ring into my pocket, Jeffrey stopped me, "Give it to me. That's not yours."

Jeffrey's words were like a fuse that made everyone present pay attention to me.

"Audrey, the ring is not yours."

One of Jeffrey's friends looked at me with a playful look and said with a teasing smile.

"But it doesn't matter if you have it. It's trash that nobody wants after all."

Hearing him finish, the people present agreed, "Indeed, Audrey, you look like a maid in your current outfit."

I glanced down at my clothes and looked around again.

Compared to the young rich boys and girls present who were dressed in exquisite clothing, I indeed looked shabby.

I didn't say anything, patting the dirt off my body.

I knew these people.

Either they were from wealthy families, or they had their own businesses, but I was just a girl who took care of roses.

At least it seemed to be.

Touching the bracelet, I raised my eyes to Jeffrey, who had been smiling without saying anything.

I was guessing what he would say.

Jeffrey kept staring at me. The smile in his eyes was not sincere. The words of the others did not seem to enter his ears.

It was only when the others felt bored and stopped talking that he walked over to me and handed me the broom. "They're just kidding. Don't take it seriously."

Seeing that my eyes remained the same, he then turned back and pretended to scold them.

"Alright, it's all a joke. It definitely won't be like this afterward."

The originally quiet living room was in an uproar again.

I didn't say a word. I just cleaned up, thinking about how I should leave in a decent manner.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Wearing a red evening gown, Joanna Wyatt slowly walked in.

"Jeffrey?"

As she spoke, the living room fell silent.

Everyone stood up straight and took out their best posture.

Jeffrey was no exception.

I was pushed to the corner. Jeffrey reached out to hold Joanna, his voice soft, "What's wrong?"

Joanna moved her steps and walked over to the pile of roses, seemingly looking for something.

"I forgot to take the old ring. I came back to look for it."

After hearing it, Jeffrey looked up at me standing in the distance. His eyes contained a warning. "Bring the ring you found. Don't bother Joanna to get it."

The crowd looked at me as if I was evil.

They turned on the lighting, and my figure under the strong light became even more embarrassed.

It turned out that I didn't even deserve what Joanna threw.