Chapter 7
After the holidays, I went back to school.
Kieran came to see me off, as my “brother.“[]
With Dad there, I couldn’t refuse.
But at least this year I didn’t have to spend Christmas with him.
On December 31st after class, Felix came to pick me up.
My dorm didn’t have a kitchen.[]
So we went to the house he shared with friends.[]
Everyone was playing cards in the living room while Felix was in the kitchen.
I put on his spare apron, tied up my hair, and walked over.
“Let me help.“]
“I can bake.“[]
He looked down at me and chuckled softly, then picked up a clean strawberry and brought it to my lips.[]
“Try this first.”
I bit into it–sweet and tart juice burst in my mouth.]
“It’s good.”
Felix brought over a glass bowl full of clean strawberries.
Testing me with this?]
I held the bowl and looked up at him honestly: “I really came to help you work.“]
He smiled.
“I know.”
“Go over there.“[]
“Over there” was a long table for making dessert–clean, delicate tools and ingredients were arranged perfectly, like toy kitchen sets.[]
Felix made over ten dishes.]
And I baked strawberry cupcakes.[]
Everyone had a blast.
Late at night, he drove me home.
Chapter 7
I’d had some wine that night, so my cheeks were flushed.[]
Not drunk, but I wanted to use the buzz as an excuse to act cute–my voice got all high and sweet.]
When we got to my building, the car door opened and cold air hit my face.
Felix wrapped my scarf properly, put on my fuzzy hat, and helped me out of the car.[]
v.I
I held his hand, deliberately walking slow and wobbly on the thick snow.
The snow hadn’t been cleared yet.[]
So I didn’t see the step clearly and almost slipped.[]
Felix quickly wrapped his arm around my waist and caught me.]
We were really close.
I almost bumped his nose.]
His skin was pale, but now his face was red, like tinted porcelain.[]
So pretty.
I thought it was the moment, so I gently tugged his sleeve, worked up courage, stood on my tiptoes, and kissed him.
The night was dark, streetlights casting soft light.
The wind was cold. But his face was burning hot, his breath scorching too.
When the kiss ended, I buried my face in his chest, blushing like crazy.
Felix cradled the back of my head and laughed softly.
I peeked out shyly.[]
The next second, my gaze suddenly froze.
There was someone in a black coat standing far below the building, quietly watching everything.
It was Kieran.
Felix and I said our mushy goodbyes.[]
I walked into the building.
Kieran hurried toward me, bringing a wave of cold air.
I don’t know how long he’d been standing outside–snowflakes had settled in his hair.]
He knew my dorm address.]
Sometimes Mom would video call me in the living room, and she never avoided anyone.[]
I never thought he’d show up here like this, alone and without warning.
Chapter 7
Our eyes met and we both spoke at the same time.]
“Merry Christmas.”
“Why are you here?“]]
Kieran said: “Came to see you.“[]
I avoided his gaze: “I’m fine.“[]
His jaw was tight, his Adam’s apple bobbing with difficulty: “I’m sorry.“[]
Another random–ass thing to say.
Sorry for what exactly?]
His mouth must be rented–extra words cost more.[]
I didn’t say anything.
He paused, looking at my face, explaining on his own: “I never touched Sage. I just wanted to know how you felt.”
“You’re not like her. Sometimes she just pretends to be like you.“[]
Oh, that thing.
I said: “Okay, got it.“]
“Don’t bring it up again.“]]
I don’t know if he was angry or sad, but he looked down and leaned against the wall, getting dirt on his coat.[]
“He lets you live in a place like this?”
“I lived here before I met him. I picked this place myself. I really like it here.“]
He laughed bitterly.
“After you left, Sage and I had a fight.”
“While I was in online class, she went through my phone and saw all the money I’d transferred you.“]
“I never kept track over the years. She had the patience to add it all up–over a million.“]
“She cried. Said I never actually liked her.“]]
“After all, where the money goes, that’s where the love is.”
His voice was shaking by the end.
I misunderstood.
“So you want the money back?“]
What he gave me, plus the five million before I left.]
Chapter 7
I could pay it all back.
Otherwise I wouldn’t have taken it.]
I’d been thinking about studying abroad since middle school.
Though Mom wanted me to wait until grad school.[]
The money was ready way back then.]
Kieran’s voice was hoarse.
“How could you think that?“[]
“What I gave you is yours.”
I was getting impatient, looking around randomly, counting the tiles on the floor.
“Then why are you telling me this?”
He was quiet for a moment, his drooping lashes trembling slightly, fingertips digging deep into his palms.]
“Where the money goes, that’s where the love is.“]
“You said that too.‘
“Ivy. I like you. All these years–didn’t you ever notice?“]
He choked up.
