Chapter 3

Stella and I spoke at the same moment, and Robert's attention was pulled to her. He didn't catch what I said.

"What did you say?"

I stayed quiet. He went on.

"You're coming too. Stella may be my wife in name for now, but you still need to win my mother over. How else do you expect to marry into this family? Watch Stella and learn something."

I refused. It didn't matter. Robert forced me to come along anyway.

On the drive, Stella chattered nonstop, pointing at the trees and grass outside the window and reminiscing.

Robert answered every single line, even though he hated talking while he drove.

"Rob, do you remember that park? When we were kids we played house, and you insisted on being the dad and told me I had to be the mom. You said you'd marry me when we grew up. Who'd have thought it would actually come true."

I pressed my lips together, and happened to catch Robert watching my reaction in the rearview mirror.

Only when he saw my blank face did he chime in.

"Of course I remember. We were closest back then. You were my favorite."

When we reached the Sanchez house, I followed the two of them inside.

Mrs. Sanchez saw Stella and couldn't stop smiling. She slipped the jade bracelet off her wrist to put it on her.

"Stella, I've dreamed of Rob bringing you home as his bride. This is our family heirloom, passed only to a Sanchez daughter-in-law. Today it's yours."

Stella glanced at me as if by accident, took it, turned it over in her hand, then held it out to me.

"Maya, I'm just a stand-in. This was given to you. Go on, take it."

Mrs. Sanchez let out a cold snort and pulled Stella's arm toward her.

"Stella, I don't care who the bride was. You're the one who finished the ceremony with Rob. This bracelet belongs to you. Now be good and keep it."

Stella put on a reluctant show, pretending to resist while giving in, until Robert spoke up.

"If Mom's giving it to you, keep it. You've been walking off with my things your whole life and never once looked embarrassed about it."

Stella stuck out her tongue.

I lowered my eyes. What a cozy little family of three, if only I weren't in the picture.

At dinner, dish after dish came to the table, and one glance told me they were all Stella's favorites.

I'm from the North. I can't handle spicy food. She, on the other hand, can't eat anything without heat.

Robert came out last, carrying a plate of boiled spinach that he set down in front of me.

"I know you can't eat any of that. But after all these years we're all used to Stella's taste. I made this specially for you."

I gave a small laugh.

"Robert, do you think I'm supposed to be so touched that I throw my arms around you, tell you I was wrong, beg your forgiveness, amazed that you love me this much?"

He didn't say anything, but his face said it all.

"You seem to have forgotten. I don't eat vegetables."

The smile froze at the corner of his mouth.

Stella noticed. She patted Robert's shoulder, and the two of them sat down one after the other.

I barely touched my chopsticks the whole time. Robert was busy shelling shrimp for Stella, even though he's badly allergic. Red welts had already come up along his neck.

Afterward we didn't go home. We went to a bar instead, where Robert's friends had put together a party.

He clearly wanted me to squirm, so he forced me to come along too.

Robert and Stella took the couch. I found some corner and sat down.

"Rob, what's it like, marrying one of the guys?"

Robert smoked his cigar and said nothing. Stella grabbed a throw pillow and tossed it at him.

"Don't talk nonsense. Maya's right here. Ours is only pretend. If Maya gets upset, Rob's the one who'll have to smooth it over."

Hearing her bring me up, everyone wore a different expression. I was the only calm one.

Only today did I realize that letting go of someone takes just a moment.