Sitting in the passenger seat of Baden's car, Elise instinctively rolled down the window, enjoying the cool night breeze on her face. She remembered the first time she sat in this car—it was a scorching day, the sun blazing, as if it had ironed the entire street. Even walking on the beach made her feet feel like they were about to cook.
That was also the first time Braden had taken her and Ruth to the beach for a getaway. The three of them lay on the sand, watching the changing sun until the red glow of sunset appeared, and they reluctantly headed home.
At that time, none of them had partners, and they were carefree. Making plans to go out was as easy as a phone call. Later, Elise got a boyfriend first, then Braden found a girlfriend not long after, and Ruth started hanging out with friends instead.
It was just a memory from five years ago, yet it felt like time had flown by, as if decades had passed in a blink.
Elise looked down, scrolling through her social media. A notification popped up, showing Aleena clinging tightly to Graham's arm, her head resting on his shoulder, striking a delicate, dependent pose.
Only then did Elise realize that while she had blocked Graham early on, she had forgotten about Aleena, leaving her as the one who slipped through the cracks. After blocking her, she finally felt a sense of relief, and the tight knot in her brows relaxed.
In the car, from the moment Braden gripped the steering wheel, he hadn't spoken to Elise. Even when the traffic light turned red and the car stopped at the line, he remained silent as ever.
Since they were young, it was rare for her to see him so quiet. Most of the time, she and Ruth would chatter like birds, but he would always respond at the right moment, joking along with them.
Elise, who was never used to silent moments, glanced up and saw the distant traffic light turn red. At the same time, Braden began to slow down, bringing the car to a stop. She then turned her head, trying to find a topic to chat about.
"Is there something weighing on your mind? Want to talk about it?" Elise asked casually, tilting her head to look at Braden in the driver's seat.
"When did you become so polite?"
"Well, aren't you going to be honest with me?"
"Yeah, I've been a bit bothered. Women are really hard to understand."
"Oh, what did I miss? Tell me!" Elise feigned surprise, but she had a feeling she knew who it was—probably Mylee.
Just as she thought, there was no way it could be as emotionless as Ruth had claimed after three months.
After thinking it over, Braden casually brushed it off. "It's nothing, just a small misunderstanding, not really a big deal."
"That's the same as not saying anything," Elise teased as she leaned over, looking through the rear windshield. "I haven't been in your car for a while. I can't believe that silly tissue box cover is still there."
The pale-yellow lace tissue box cover had two pink roses stitched on the top right corner, along with a small bunny, though the design of its eyes wasn't quite right—one was bigger than the other.
Back in high school, Elise had made that tissue box cover in a club and gave it to Braden as a thank-you gift after he stood up for her during a rough time in her love life.
Braden glanced at it through the rearview mirror and couldn't help but chuckle. "A reminder of your love life. To be fair, you've never been great at reading people."
Elise paused for a few seconds, crossing her arms with a growing look of irritation. "Don't get me started. I just realized I never blocked Aleena and ended up seeing two things I wish I hadn't."
Braden lightly tapped her head with his index finger. "Still upset?"
Elise shook her head with a smile, brushing it off. "I'm fine now. You have to move on, can't stay sad forever. But next time I fall for someone, I'll make sure to run it by you first."
Braden withdrew his finger and nodded in agreement. "I can't always be available to comfort you."
"Then next time I feel down, I'll give you a heads-up in advance so you'll have time," Elise said, waggling her index finger in playful defiance.
"You can predict when you'll be sad?" Braden focused on the road ahead. The traffic light had twenty seconds left before turning green.
"I've been working on it," Elise said, raising both index fingers to her head, pretending to concentrate. "Elise's radar is detecting a buildup of sadness energy. Preparing to release major negative vibes. Specialist Braden, please prepare to receive."
"Where did this little brat come from?" A hint of amusement flickered in Baden's eyes, though his tone was calm, like someone meditating in an icy spring, feeling the cold seep into their bones.
After turning the last winding road, Braden finally escorted Elise home safely. She thanked him, opened the door, and as soon as she stepped out, her eyes were immediately drawn to Mr. Elise and Mrs. Vargas standing at the door, carrying several large gift bags, which clearly looked like souvenirs.
Since the day of the wedding, she hadn't seen the two of them. From that day forward, they were no longer connected. She wondered what they could possibly want today—after all, there was no need for this visit.
Out of politeness, Elise put her personal feelings aside, walked toward the door, and nodded at Mr. Vargas and Mrs. Vargas, greeting them.
"Long time no see." Elise forced a smile onto her face with great effort.
"Elise, this is a small token from us. Even though we couldn't become family, can we still care for you like family?" Mr. Vargas offered kindly, his hair graying and looking much older than before.
Mrs. Vargas chimed in, supporting him, "Yes, even if we couldn't be family, it's still fate that we met. We were wondering if you'd be willing to accept... becoming our goddaughter."
Elise was stunned, replaying their words in her head. "I'm sorry, but I must decline. I don't want any more connections with my ex-boyfriend, including family ties."
Mr. Vargas tried to clarify, "Let's put it this way. From the first moment we met you, we felt a connection. What happened with Graham is unrelated to us wanting you as our goddaughter."
Mrs. Vargas placed her hands firmly on Elise's shoulders, speaking earnestly, her eyes filled with longing and hope. "Elise, Vargas's father and I have always wanted a daughter, but my health wasn't good enough to have another child. Would you fulfill this little wish of mine?"
"Mr. Vargas, Mrs. Vargas, it's getting late. Please head home." Braden pulled Elise behind him, his expression stern as he firmly lectured, "Since the relationship is over, let's all move on. Elise doesn't need to live up to your expectations."
"You're the man who stood in for Graham as the groom that day?" Mr. Vargas was angry, his tone laced with provocation. "There's no need for you to interfere. This has nothing to do with you."
"Elise, are you with this man now? I can't believe I went home that day and punished Graham by making him kneel all night, only to find out you're just as... fickle." Mrs. Vargas's motherly image disappeared in an instant, replaced by sharp and cutting insults.
"Mrs. Vargas, watch your words. Our families have known each other for years, and Elise is like a sister to me. Don't tarnish her name. Not everyone treats love like a game, like your son, picking up women everywhere he goes." Baden's voice grew louder with anger, his temper flaring.
"Please leave. The truth will speak for itself, and I won't admit to anything I didn't do. I also hope you stop slandering my friend. If it weren't for him, would I have had to face embarrassment with my parents? They were so excited for my wedding, but you turned it into a complete joke." Elise took a deep breath, swallowing the bitterness that had built up inside her. "From now on, let's stay out of each other's lives. Please don't come again." Elise took a deep breath, swallowing the bitterness welling up inside her. "From now on, let's stay out of each other's lives. Please don't come around anymore."
Though Mr. and Mrs. Vargas were unwilling, they realized her attitude was resolute. Frustrated, they grabbed their pile of gift bags and left in a huff.
As those two unpleasant people finally left, Elise relaxed, feeling like a deflated balloon, completely drained.
Did she feel like crying? Not really. It was more of a relief, realizing she hadn't married into that family. It became clear to her that all her time had been wasted. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. If the parents talk like that, it's no wonder the son behaves the way he does. People can hide their personalities and habits well, and she had never imagined Mr. and Mrs. Vargas could be so ugly on the inside.
"Sorry for dragging you into this." Elise rubbed her shoulder, her face full of helplessness. "At least that spot as Mrs. Vargas went to Aleena."
Braden sighed, letting go of his earlier anger and softening his tone. "Still hurting?"
"It felt like Auntie was out for revenge, her grip on my shoulders was so strong." Elise joked, trying to ease the tension from the earlier confrontation.
Braden was blunt, "I meant your heart."
"Yeah, a little. I guess I just feel bad for myself, spending so much time chasing after someone who wasn't right for me," Elise admitted, feeling dejected.
"That wasn't your fault. But next time you fall for someone, let me know first, okay? We don't need a repeat of Graham," Braden teased, unable to resist making a joke.
"Then I guess you'll have to play the groom again," Elise pulled out her phone, aiming the camera at Braden. "Come on, groom, give me a smile."
"Don't even think about making me call Nathanael 'Dad'," Braden muttered, his expression shifting as he lowered his voice.
