Chapter 4

My mom called ten minutes later.

"Rachel, did you and Ethan have a fight?"

I was startled. "How do you know?"

"He just called me." My mom's voice sounded tired. "He said you're going on a blind date and asked me to talk you out of it."

"He also said you were influenced by me, and told me not to give you bad ideas."

I closed my eyes. "Mom, don't worry about it. This is my own decision."

"I know." She said, "I just wanted to ask if you're serious about this."

"Yes."

The line was silent for a moment.

"Then I support you." Her voice was soft. "You're my only daughter. I just want you to be happy."

"If he truly cared about you, I wouldn't care about losing face yesterday."

"But if he can't even care that much, I can't trust him with you."

My eyes began to sting. "Mom..."

"Don't cry." Her voice carried a hint of a smile. "Why cry? This is a good thing."

"I already asked Mrs. White about it. The man is a teacher---solid and reliable. Meet him this weekend. If it doesn't work out, just think of it as making a friend."

"And if it works out..." She paused. "I hope you won't be deceived by a man again."

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Mom, I disappointed you."

"Silly child," she sighed. "You've never disappointed me. I just feel bad for you."

After hanging up, I sat on the couch in a daze for a long time.

My phone buzzed again.

A message from my best friend Sophie:

"I heard you're going on a blind date?!!"

"Did that jerk Ethan call you?"

I replied:

"I'm the one who initiated the breakup."

She responded instantly:

"You should've broken up ages ago!!"

"I've been side-eyeing him forever!!"

"Remember your birthday last time? He said he was on a business trip, but I saw his assistant's location check-in on social media---she was in the same city!"

I stared at this message, my fingers going cold.

I called Sophie.

"When was this?"

"Last month, on your birthday." Sophie said, "I wanted to tell you then, but you were swamped with that project. I didn't want to distract you."

"Wait, let me find it for you."

Soon, she sent me several screenshots.

From Serena's social media.

The photos showed a restaurant with candlelight and wine on the table.

The caption read: "Thanks to Mr. Hayes for the guidance. This newbie is finally making progress!"

The location showed our city.

Posted at 8 PM on my birthday.

That day, Ethan had told me he was on a business trip in another city. The project was urgent, and he'd have to work late.

He told me to celebrate my birthday without him and promised to make it up when he got back.

I stared at that photo for a long time.

Candlelight, wine, warm lighting.

And Serena's eyes curved into crescents from smiling.

"Rachel, are you okay?" Sophie asked carefully.

"I'm fine." I heard my own voice, completely calm. "Thank you for telling me."

"Are you really going on this blind date?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm coming with you." She said, "I'm not letting you go alone."

I smiled slightly. "Okay."

After hanging up, I opened my chat history with Ethan.

I scrolled up to a month ago.

That day I'd messaged him: "When are you coming back?"

He'd replied: "The project's a bit tricky. Might be a couple days late. Happy birthday, babe. I'll make it up to you when I get back."

I'd responded with: "Okay."

Looking at that message now.

Every word felt like a joke.

That weekend, Sophie came with me to meet the person Mrs. White had introduced.

His name was Nathan, thirty-one, a high school teacher.

He was a quiet person, didn't talk much, but answered questions very earnestly.

He asked me, "Have you really broken up?"

I was taken aback.

He smiled. "I heard you had a boyfriend you were with for a long time. I don't mind, but I want to know if you've really moved on. I don't want to be anyone's substitute."

I looked at him, suddenly feeling this person was very sincere.

"I've moved on," I said. "Or rather, I'm in the process of moving on."

He nodded. "That's good."

"I can wait for you to fully move on."

After the meeting ended, Sophie pulled me aside. "This guy's pretty good. Way better than that scumbag Ethan."

"And did you see how he looked at you? He genuinely likes you."

I smiled without responding.

My phone buzzed.

A message from Ethan:

"Done with the blind date?"

"So, how was it? Meet your standards?"

His tone dripped with sarcasm.

I didn't reply.

He sent another message:

"Rachel, I'm giving you three days to cool off."

"If you don't come back after three days, don't blame me for what happens next."

I looked at this message and smiled faintly.

I closed the chat window.

Opened my contacts and sent Nathan a message:

"Nathan, thank you for today. If it's convenient, could we get our marriage certificate tomorrow?"

He replied quickly:

"Of course."

I put away my phone.

Sophie leaned over. "What are you texting?"

"Getting married tomorrow."

"So fast?!" Her eyes widened. "You're serious?"

I looked across the street at a coffee shop.

Five years ago, Ethan had told me in that very place that once his career stabilized, he'd marry me.

"Yes. Completely serious."