Chapter 2

Today was my mother, Gladys Carey's, birthday.

I'd reminded Ruth a month in advance to get her a gift. I'd even transferred Ruth 8,000 dollars and told her to make sure she bought Mom something really nice to make her happy.

But at the birthday dinner earlier, the gift Ruth had presented was a cheap leather bracelet.

She'd said, "It's not about how much a gift costs. It's the thought that counts."

Mom believed her. She put the leather bracelet on right then and there, cherishing it as though it were some priceless treasure.

Yet, here Ruth was, giving Mrs. Knapp a solid gold bracelet.

My grip on the food order record tightened until my knuckles turned white, but I kept smiling.

"Mrs. Knapp, I really envy you. You're so lucky to have such a wonderful future daughter-in-law."

Mrs. Knapp beamed from ear to ear. "It's all thanks to Marvin's good taste. Don't worry, you'll find someone like that someday too."

I looked at Ruth, who was desperately avoiding my gaze, and gave a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "I do hope so. Meanwhile, I'm about to break up with my current girlfriend."

The moment those words left my mouth, Ruth's head snapped up. She stared at me in disbelief, while Mrs. Knapp's smile faltered awkwardly.

"Break up? Why? Has your girlfriend been treating you badly?"

I nodded. "Yes, and she's been treating my parents badly too."

Meeting Ruth's panicked gaze, I began listing her offenses one by one.

"She forgot that my mom was allergic to seafood. When she invited my parents out for dinner, she ordered an entire table full of seafood dishes.

"My mom ended up having an allergic reaction and had to be rushed to the ER. And even though she knew today was my mom's birthday, all she gave her was a ten-dollar leather bracelet from a flea market.

"Even when my mom was in the emergency room, she was still telling me not to get angry with my girlfriend over it."

With every sentence I spoke, the guilt in Ruth's eyes deepened, and Marvin's grip on her hand grew tighter.

Mr. Knapp's eyebrows shot up in outrage. "That's simply outrageous! What kind of girlfriend behaves like that? She clearly has no respect for her elders!"

Mrs. Knapp nodded repeatedly. "You absolutely should break up with her. Even if Marvin were madly in love with a woman like that, I'd never let him marry her! Cedric, you have my full support."

Then, she suddenly turned to Ruth. "Ruth, what do you think?"

Ruth looked terrible. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Maybe there's been some misunderstanding. Perhaps she was just too busy with work and forgot."

I lowered my eyes and shook my head silently.

"No, that's impossible. I reminded her more than a dozen times. Besides, we've been together for eight years. When she first arrived in Bayville, I was the one who lived with her in a basement and ate cheap takeout with her.

"When her business venture failed, my parents sold their house back in our hometown to give her the money she needed to start over. She even kneeled before them and swore she'd treat me and my parents well for the rest of her life."

At that point, I couldn't help letting out a bitter laugh, hoping it would keep the tears from welling up in my eyes.

Ruth took a step toward me. But the very next second, Marvin grabbed her and held her firmly in place.

He glared at me and said through gritted teeth, "Cedric, that's not exactly fair, is it? It takes two to tango. If your girlfriend doesn't like you anymore, maybe you should consider whether you're part of the problem."

Mrs. Knapp looked embarrassed. "Marvin, don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not!" Marvin stepped in front of Ruth and raised his voice sharply. "Cedric, you said you've been with your girlfriend for eight years, right? Then why hasn't she married you yet?

"Isn't it because you're not gentle enough, not considerate enough, and not capable of giving her a good life? Women are practical, so maybe you should look at yourself and figure out what you're doing wrong."

Cold sweat broke out across Ruth's forehead. "Marvin, stop talking."

Marvin shot her an angry glare. "No, I'm going to say it! Cedric, I noticed your phone's wallpaper is a picture of an ultrasound. Don't tell me you got your girlfriend pregnant? You knocked her up before marriage? Don't your parents find that embarrassing?

"Marvin!" Mrs. Knapp hurriedly covered his mouth, then gave me an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry, Cedric. Marvin is still young. He tends to speak without thinking."

I didn't look at her. Instead, I kept my eyes fixed on Marvin. Suddenly, I let out a soft chuckle.