Part 2The Dust-Covered Empty Seat

I did not buy the cake. Instead, I went home alone to pack his belongings.

I threw his toothbrush, dark towel, and cup into the trash can. No matter which house I moved into, I would always prepare a set of items for him.

I always thought he would suddenly appear in South City to surprise me, so I stubbornly saved half of the space for him.

However, his return had nothing to do with me.

Theo did not come home the entire night, and Eleanor uploaded another social media post.

[The privilege of being ill is that I have someone to accompany me to watch a late-night movie at 2 am.]

She posted a photo of a movie scene and Theo’s focused yet gentle side profile.

It was a movie I had been wanting to watch. I had mentioned it to Theo numerous times, but he said that it was boring.

I liked her post.

Three minutes later, Theo sent me a text message.

[Get dressed and come down in a while. It’s Grandmother’s birthday today. I’ll swing by to fetch you.]

According to our original plan, it was the day when we officially announced our engagement to his relatives.

When I went downstairs, Eleanor was sitting in the front passenger seat.

She was holding a cup of hot latte, and she was toying with Theo’s apartment keys in her other hand. There was a keychain that I had personally made for Theo, and it was stained with coffee.

She turned around and flashed a smile at me. “Lydia, you won’t mind me taking a ride with you, right?”

Theo was playing Eleanor’s favorite song in the car.

“Eleanor has just recovered, so I don’t want her to stay at home alone. Let’s bring her along to my grandmother’s place. Besides, she’s feeling pretty weak after being sick. You can sit in the back instead.”

Half an hour later, the car stopped before the Anderson family mansion.

Eleanor unbuckled the seatbelt excitedly. “I can smell the food all the way from here.”

She naturally walked next to Theo. I followed behind them like an unimportant servant.

When we walked into the living room, Theo’s grandmother, Mariam Anderson, was seated on the couch.

“Theo, quick, bring your girlfriend over to meet me.”

Eleanor walked forward politely. “Mariam, happy birthday to you!”

Mariam smiled and patted the back of her hand. “You must be the girl Theo brought over last year, right? You’re so beautiful. No wonder Theo’s always thinking about you.”

A few relatives who were in the know exchanged meaningful glances. Then, they all looked at me.

I took a sip of the tea.

Last New Year’s Eve, I was alone with a table full of dishes in North City.

Theo claimed that his project had run into a huge issue, so everyone in the company was working overtime. It turned out that his so-called overtime was bringing Eleanor back to meet his family members.

Mariam took a gold bangle from her wrist and put it on Eleanor’s wrist.

“This is our family heirloom that’s passed down to every first daughter-in-law. I’m giving it to you today.”

“Theo, I… How can I take this? Mariam has mistaken me for your fiancee.”

Even though Eleanor was saying that, it did not seem like she was going to take the bangle off.

Theo leaned in and whispered to me, “Lydia, let Eleanor wear the bangle first. Once the birthday dinner is over, I’ll let her return that to you. Be more understanding, please. I don’t want you to throw a tantrum today.”

I shook my head. “She doesn’t have to give it to me.”

Theo was momentarily stunned before a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

“It’s great that you can think that way. The bangle suits Eleanor anyway. I’ll buy you a new one instead.”

I put down the teacup. The tea was fragrant, and it was Eleanor’s favorite tea. Mariam even remembered what she liked.

It was my first time meeting his family, yet it seemed like they were already quite familiar with Eleanor.

“Since the bangle is given to her, she can wear it. Theo, let’s break up.”