âAll right, I got it. Youâre so naggy.â Stella cut him off and flung the coat on him. âRemember to bring along more clothes. I heard that itâs very cold there. Call me often, donât keep thinking that overseas calls are expensive.â
âI got it.â
Before the atmosphere became too depressing, Stella wiped the corner of her eyes and said, âRiley is still waiting outside. Donât be late now.â
Unlike Roger, who had been sheltered all his life and never went overseas, Rileyâs family was very open minded and pretty well-off.
She had gone on solo overseas trips many times, and it was obvious that she grew up in a very positive family environment. She was a confident, bright girl, and Stella felt relieved at having Riley accompany Roger on his overseas studies.
Upon hearing the commotion in the room, Riley stood up from the couch she was sitting on. âReady?â
she asked.
She saw Rogerâs reddened eyes and felt a pinch in her heart. âIsnât it just going overseas? Donât worry, Iâll take good care of you.â
Roger remained silent.
He shot her a look and said, âWe donât know for sure who will end up being the one taken care of.â
Riley didnât stoop to his level and instead hooked her arm around Stellaâs arm. âStella, donât you worry.
Iâll definitely take good care of him and make sure he ends up round and fat!â
Stella could hold back a chuckle. âIf he does anything wrong, you must tell me. Donât let him bully you.â
âDonât you worry!â Roger said, rather unhappily. âWhoâs the bully? Whatâs more, youâre my sister. How could you side with outsiders?â
Riley glanced at the clock. âItâs about time for us to head to the airport. Shall weâ¦go? The car is waiting downstairs.â
Roger collected himself and looked solemnly at Stella.â Stellaâ¦Iâll be off now.â
âYou really donât want me to see you guys off there?â Stella stepped forward. She had wanted to see them off at the airport, but Roger rejected her proposal , saying that if she were to do that, he would surely end up not leaving.
Roger nodded. âIâll call you once I arrive.â
âSure. Remember, donât forget to call me. Otherwise , Iâll get worried.â
After seeing the car drive off, Stellaâs eyes suddenly turned red, and she turned around to blow her nose.
She was sadder than she imagined sheâd be, though she felt inner joy at the outcome. She was trapped in this small place with nowhere else to go.
Unlike her, Roger had broader horizons.
After they left, she was the only one left in the apartment.
Stella sat on the couch unmoving for a long time, staring at the furnishings around the house. A photo of their family hung on the wall, with no dust clinging to it as it was wiped thoroughly every day.
She stood up, walked toward the photograph, and reached out to caress every face in the photo.
âDad, Mom, I havenât let you down, have I?â
She lowered her eyes. âBut perhaps, I have embarrassed you. I will leave Weston Ford as soon as I can. I donât want such a shameless status for myself, too.â She shut her eyes and leaned her forehead against the wall, feeling thankful that she did not introduce Weston to her parents back then.
She had wanted to find time to bring Weston to visit her motherâs grave, but all she ended up with was a divorce agreement and Guinevere showing off before her.
The thought of the past would dissipate all the moments she had shared with Weston thus far. It was a constant reminder that those sweet and tender moments were all phony.
The man had never changed. He had always been amorous yet heartless and cruel.
He would dote on you when you were a novelty to him, but when you snapped back to reality, the would be no escaping, save for slow and gradual suffocation.