Cherry sat there with her round belly, glowing like a queen. Every inch of her life screamed money and protection. Lewis had his arm wrapped around her waist, guiding her gently like she was made of glass.
She pouted softly. “Babe, my belly feels so heavy. The babies keep kicking me… I don’t even know who they take after. They’ve been giving me so much trouble.”
Lewis crouched in front of her like some doting husband and pressed a kiss against her stomach.
“Little ones, don’t give your mother such a hard time. I’ll deal with you myself when you’re out.”
Cherry laughed lightly. “You’re not really gonna punish your twins are you?”
Lewis held her hand and kissed it, “Cherry, do you know how much it killed me when you came to me five years ago, crying? You were just a girl who made one mistake at work, but my wife wanted you destroyed. To protect you, I had to hide you in that villa for so long. And even then, you were brave enough to carry my children.” He pressed his forehead to hers, “I swear… nobody will ever matter more than you. I’ll love you, I’ll protect you, until the day I die.”
Cherry’s eyes filled with tears. She brushed his cheek, trembling. “As long as Addison forgives me one day, I don’t care what I go through. I can endure anything. I grew up alone, no parents, no one cared. I can take it. I just don’t want my babies to suffer because of me.”
Lewis’s jaw tightened like her words cut into him.
“No. You will never suffer because of her. My children will inherit everything I have…”
“Don’t… If Addison finds out, she’ll hate me even more.”
“She’ll never know. The Coleman family gave me everything. I can only repay them by playing my part. For now. But when your confinement ends, I’ll give you a wedding of your own. The one you deserve.”
My whole body shook as I bit into my wrist to keep from making a sound. His words echoed in my skull. My parents’ lives… to him, that was just a mistake Cherry made. My suffering, my family’s destruction… it was nothing compared to his love for her.
I stumbled out of there like a dying leaf caught in the wind.
Back in the car, I placed the urn carefully in the seat beside me. My tears blurred everything, but I managed to dial the funeral home.
“I want to arrange a sea burial… one month from now. The name is Addison Coleman. The location… Point Reyes National Seashore.”
The place where Lewis once knelt and asked me to marry him.
If fate is kind, it will also be the place where my life ends.
***
After I put Grandpa’s ashes to rest, I just wandered around, not really knowing where I was going. Before I realized it, I’d ended up at the old community center, the sports club where I’d spent so many awkward afternoons.
I stopped at the entrance and looked through the glass doors. Empty now, echoes of the past clung to the walls. I saw myself there, over ten years ago. Skinny, weak, always trailing behind Lewis in oversized gym clothes, trying not to be noticed. Not too close, not too far… just following.
He was the star back then—captain of every team, always first in every ranking, everyone noticed him. Under that tall, flawless exterior, there was a coldness that kept everyone at a distance. And me… I had a crush like every other girl. I watched him from afar, memorizing everything about him, never daring to get close. He never noticed me.
We didn’t get married because of love, at least not at first. It was arranged. Our families—his and mine—had decided we were the perfect match. Their reasons were always practical, always about legacy, power, and alliances. Love, desire, chemistry… that was supposed to come later, if it came at all.
Then, out of nowhere, the old snack counter lady appeared, carrying a tray of drinks.
“Well, look who it is! Haven’t seen you in years! Come, have mint ice cream just like old times.”
She recognized me instantly. “And that handsome boy you saved and always followed around… how are you two doing?”
I lowered my head and scoop some icecream. It tasted the same as it did back then, but I couldn’t swallow it.
“Wait a minute… What's today? Are you here for a reunion?” the snack lady called out. “Oh talking about that handsome guy, here he is.”
I looked up. Lewis walked in carefully, holding Cherry’s hand. Lewis didn’t notice me at all. I stepped back and lost in the crowd. He was all about Cherry, helping her sit down, whispering softly, asking what drink she wanted.
The snack lady shook her head and was amazed. “Wow… I wished to find love like them. She’s clingier than any of the kids I ever served. She's lucky, kid.”
Cherry leaned into him shyly, and he smiled, gentle and calm, taking care of her like she was the only person in the world.
And me? I just stayed hidden, watching, remembering.
I’m such a coward. Even though I didn’t do anything wrong, the moment they walked in, I stepped back. Like a scared little girl.
I remembered after we got married, I once asked Lewis to come back to the sports center with me. Just a little visit, maybe a bowl of icecream. He frowned and shook his head.
“Addy, I’ve got work. Just ask your auntie to get it for you. What’s there to remember about that old shit sports center? It’s the past. Let it go.”
Now I understand. He never kept me in his memories. Of course, he had no interest in going back.
