I Won't Wait For You Anymore
Ryan Becker's favorite phrase was always, "Just wait a little longer."
I waited two years for his startup to stabilize so we could get married. I waited another three years for his mother to warm up to the idea of a wedding.
On the night of his 30th birthday dinner, his mother slipped her emerald bracelet off her wrist in front of everyone. Passing down the heirloom was their old tradition for recognizing a daughter-in-law.
I thought that this time, finally, I wouldn't have to wait anymore.
"Give me your hand, dear."
Yet Aurelie Becker reached right past me and smoothly fastened the bracelet around Sabine Hansen's wrist instead.
The entire room fell dead silent.
She patted the back of Sabine's hand warmly. "Sabine grew up with Ryan. We're all one family here, no distinctions between us."
My hands were still resting on the table, my fingertips turning cold.
Someone whispered, "What about Miss Solis?"
Ryan leaned in close, lowering his voice. "My mom is just being sentimental. Don't take it to heart. I'll bring you a custom necklace from my business trip next month. Just wait a little longer, okay?"
Sabine lifted her wrist, flaunting it right in front of my face with a provocative smile. "Look, Eliza, isn't it beautiful? Aurelie says it's an old-mine emerald."
"It's beautiful," I said simply.
Just then, the phone inside my bag vibrated.
It was a text message that read: [Have you made up your mind? When are you coming to Phaelis?]