Nothing Lasts for Eternity

After sleeping with her childhood friend for the 999th time, he was still enjoying it as much as before. The next morning, Sinead Green had kiss marks left all over her. She could feel the soreness all over her body if she moved even just a little. The scent of love was still heavy in the hotel room as Nelson's lean arms held her close. As Nelson Lane was still enjoying the warmth in his embrace, he nonchalantly said, "Wear something nice tomorrow and come home with me." Sinead looked up at Nelson, surprised… Chapter 1 "Are you finally planning to... go public with our relationship?" Sinead Green asked Nelson Lane as she looked at him with hope. Nelson raised his brow and gave her a sideways look. "Go public with what? My family set up a date for me at my home tomorrow. Come over and help keep things lively so she doesn't feel awkward." Sinead was shocked upon hearing those words. She could hear her heart beat as her mind went blank. "Your family is setting up a date for you? Then what am I supposed to be?" Nelson had already gotten up and was getting dressed. He simply gave Sinead a lazy glance as he said, "You? You're my friend for everything. My food buddy, my gaming buddy, and the one I sleep with to take care of each other's physical needs." A chill ran down Sinead's spine as the color drained from her face, her lips trembling. Seeing her expression, the smile on Nelson's face slowly faded. He leaned in toward her. "Come on, Sinead. You didn't really think we were boyfriend and girlfriend all these years, did you?" That teasing tone pierced straight through her heart. She fought off the urge to sob as her voice cracked, the words coming out unevenly. "How... How could I? I'm going to take a shower." Sinead scrambled to her feet and staggered into the bathroom. As soon as the door shut, she felt all her strength drain away as she sank to the floor. Nelson's words still echoed in her ears as she stared at the kiss marks he had left all over her body, and she couldn't stop her tears from streaming down her face now. They had known each other for more than twenty years. They had grown up together, shared the same glass of milk, and even read the same comic books. When they were eighteen, they had even gotten drunk and slept together. Once there was a first time, there was a second, a third... At night, their intimacy was close and tight. During the day, they did all the things a normal couple would do. They walked hand-in-hand through crowds, kissed at midnight on New Year's Eve as they promised to stay together for the coming year, and spent hours on the phone every day keeping the spark alive... Sinead had always thought the two of them were already together and had simply never made it public. Yet now, Nelson was telling her they were not a couple at all. The pain in her heart was so intense she could barely breathe. Only when she turned the water on for the shower did she sob out loudly. She did not know how much time had passed before her tears finally ran dry. She pulled herself together once she was more emotionally stable and stepped out of the bathroom. Nelson was already dressed and sitting on the sofa scrolling through his phone as he said, "There will be a lot of people tomorrow, so book a bigger private room at the restaurant. She likes food with lighter flavors, so nothing heavy on the menu will be fine. As for the cake, get a Black Forest cake. The flowers have to be pink and white roses. When you have finished setting things up, send me pictures so I can give it a look. Then, get a dozen suits ready for me to pick from when I get back, all black. Irene only likes that color." Hearing that name, Sinead's heart jolted. She could not help looking over, and she saw the faintly sweet smile tugging at the corner of Nelson's mouth. Irene? So, the woman he was meeting was Irene Johnson. The light in Sinead's eyes dimmed. If it were Irene, then she would understand why he was so happy. Back in high school, Nelson had had a crush on Irene and would whisper that name in Sinead's ear dozens of times a day. Unfortunately, before he had the chance to confess, Irene had gone abroad. Ever since then, Sinead had never heard him mention Irene's name again. Later on, after that one-night stand between the two of them, they had only grown closer. She thought he had long since let go of Irene. She had never imagined that Irene was still the perfect first love he never talked about, yet never forgot. The heartache that had only just eased surged up once more, and the pain left her hand shaking so badly she could barely hold her phone. There was a heavy thud, and Nelson turned at the sound, a lazy smile on his lips. "Done with your shower? Then you can check out later. I've already paid for the room." He picked up his coat and stood to leave, but just before he went out the door, he turned back to look at her with a faint smile. "Sinead, I've always treated you like one of the guys, so don't show me that despairing look again, or I'd really think you're having some awkward thoughts about me. I know you like the back of my hand, and you can read my mind with just one look, too. Don't you think days like that are way too boring? If we really got together, it would feel like life was already over." His voice faded with his footsteps, yet it kept echoing in Sinead's heart. She sat on the cold bed, smiling until the smile dissolved into tears. So, this was how Nelson had seen her all these years. She sat there alone until late at night, then finally went downstairs to check out. It was pouring outside, yet she wandered home as if she could not feel the coldness of the rain at all. When she arrived home, her parents, Jackson and Liana Green, immediately hurried over with a dry towel, seeing that she was completely soaked. They asked her nervously, "It's raining so heavily, why didn't you take a cab?" Sinead looked at her parents with a numb face. Her eyes were empty, and her voice was hoarse. "Dad, Mom, because of the recent changes at the company, you wanted to relocate abroad, right? I've thought it through. Let's all go and never come back." Jackson and Liana were a little surprised to finally hear their daughter give in after trying to persuade her for more than half a year. "You've really thought it through? Did you break up with that boyfriend of yours?" Thinking of what Nelson had said, Sinead felt a sharp ache in her heart and shook her head with a bitter smile. "There's no boyfriend. There never was. I made him up on purpose so you'd stop pushing me to get married." Jackson and Liana were still delighted, although they did not know whether she was telling the truth. They hurried to prepare the paperwork while urging her to pack her luggage. Sinead simply hummed in response and went back to her bedroom before throwing out everything that had to do with Nelson. The thick photo albums she had carefully kept for more than ten years, the jewelry he had given her, the dresses, the hand-carved figurines... All of them ended up in the trash. "Ms. Green, there are so many things in good condition here. You really don't want any of them?" Sinead gave a slight nod, seeing the regret in the maid's eyes. She then said in a faint voice, "I don't want them anymore." It was not just those things. She didn't want the love anymore. She also didn't want Nelson anymore. Chapter 2 Sinead was woken up by a barrage of messages from Nelson. He had sent dozens in a row, all asking when she was coming over. All she could feel was bitterness in her heart. 'Nelson, do you have any idea how cruel you are?' Her hand trembled as she typed a single line: [I'm not feeling well today. I'm not coming.] A short while later, Jackson and Liana knocked on her door. "Sinead, even if you're mad at Nelson, this isn't the time for that," Liana said. "Hurry up and get changed, then go over to his home. You have no idea how seriously he's taking this date. He has liked that girl from the Johnson family for years. As soon as he heard she was back in the country, he went straight to me and asked me to make the introduction," Liana continued. "That's right," Jackson added. "She studied piano with me for a while, so I personally went over there to set this meeting up. Everything's quite formal, from what I heard, whether it's the dinner or the gifts. He asked you to go over so you can liven things up and make her feel less awkward. Nelson is serious this time. How can you not help him when you two are so close?" So, when Nelson realized she was not going, he had actually called her parents?! Listening to their earnest words, Sinead could only choke back her tears, wash up, and go downstairs. The two families lived close to each other. Ten minutes later, she was already standing at the Lanes' front door, opening the shoe cabinet by the entrance. It was empty. Her little bunny slippers were gone. She searched for them several times before finally finding them in the trash can outside the door. Along with the slippers were a mug, a toothbrush, a towel, pajamas... All of them belonged to her. "Ms. Green, Mr. Nelson threw all of these out," the maid said. "Please use these disposable slippers for now." Sinead stared at the trash can for a long time without a word. The Greens and the Lanes had been close for generations, and she had come over almost every day growing up, often staying the night. Nelson had set up a bedroom just for her and bought her all the everyday items, carefully picking out the little bunny designs she liked. He had told her that this was her home too, and she did not need to worry about formalities. Behind both families' backs, they had hugged and kissed at the front door, held hands together under the dining table, and even made love in the study. Now that Irene was back, he was worried the girl he had secretly liked for years would get the wrong idea. So, he had thrown away everything that had to do with her. It took Sinead such a long time to steady herself before she finally slipped on the slippers. As soon as she walked in, she saw Nelson peeling fruit for Irene, with the two of them talking and laughing. He sat on the sofa in a custom satin suit, hair carefully styled, with a trace of cologne on him. He was alluring in a cool way… proper on the outside, a little mischievous on the inside. Back in school, Sinead had heard plenty of girls say he was so handsome he would look good even if he were poorly dressed, and if he ever bothered to dress up, the pretty-boy celebrities in the entertainment industry could all go home. But by nature, Nelson was wild and careless. On normal days, he simply threw on a T-shirt and never bothered to dress up. So… he didn't mind dressing to impress when he was in front of the person he liked. The man who had been wrapped up in bed with her just yesterday now acted as though he had never met her. He glanced at her once, then looked away and focused entirely on Irene. He kept the conversation going without pause, from hobbies to the weather, from work to jewelry brands, from childhood stories to their school days. Sinead lowered her eyes, quietly mocking herself in her mind as she watched Nelson tirelessly search for topics to talk with Irene on and on. So, he could be this proactive in front of the person he liked. "It was quite a coincidence back in high school," Irene said with a laugh. "You were a year above me, and we weren't even in the same building, but we kept running into each other at school. It really felt like fate." Hearing her bring up the past, Sinead looked at Nelson's reddening ears and let out a quiet smile. Fate? Nelson was behind every single one of those coincidences. She used to follow him around, watching him try everything for the girl he liked, and it made her heart ache. Later, when Irene had gone abroad, she had thought she had finally gotten what she wanted. But looking at things now, it was Nelson who had gotten his wish. While Sinead was lost in thought, she suddenly heard her name being called. "I heard back in high school that you had a childhood sweetheart you were really close to. That must be Ms. Green, right?" Sinead paused for a moment, and when she raised her head, she met Irene's probing gaze. Before she could answer, Nelson's parents, Kenny and Opal Lane, cheerfully cut in. "They're very close," Kenny said. "Those two have been inseparable since they were little. We even thought about arranging a match for them when they were kids..." Nelson's face darkened halfway through, and he cut them off. "Dad, Mom, let's not joke about that anymore. No matter who I like, it won't ever be Sinead." Sinead lowered her eyes to hide the disappointment in them and forced a smile. "Same here. No matter who I end up with, it won't ever be Nelson." At that, Nelson's expression froze for a second, then quickly returned to normal. He then extended his arm over her shoulders the way he would with a good friend and said, "Exactly. We're just friends." For a moment, the atmosphere in the living room eased. Sinead laughed along with them, and she heard Nelson let out a quiet sigh of relief and a soft thank you. "Not bad. Thanks for making things less awkward for me." She said nothing as she just shifted a few steps to the side, putting some distance between them. Making things less awkward? No. Every word she had just said was the truth. Chapter 3 By evening, the Lane family had a car ready to take them to the restaurant. Nelson, Irene, and Sinead sat together in the back seat. Nelson, who was in the middle seat, paid constant attention to Irene throughout the entire trip. He adjusted the air conditioning for her, found a blanket for her, handed her water, and even twisted the cap off the bottle. Sinead watched them chat as she sat on the left, quietly staring out the window. They were only halfway there when it started to rain cats and dogs. The road outside was dim, and the car in front had its high beams on. As they went downhill, the driver was dazed by the light and drove straight into the guardrail, unable to make the turn in time. In that instant, Nelson moved on instinct and wrapped Irene in his arms. Bang! The glass shattered inward. Sinead, sitting on the side, was slammed into the broken window and left covered in blood. A wave of searing pain tore through her body, and she felt as if she were coming apart. As her mind grew hazy, she saw the door on the right side of the car swing open. Nelson stumbled out with Irene in his arms, phone pressed to his ear as he called for an ambulance, his voice gentle as he comforted her. It was as if he had forgotten there was someone else in the car. He did not look back even once. When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics said they should treat whoever was hurt the worst first. Faced with Sinead lying in a pool of blood and Irene in a daze in his arms, Nelson hesitated only a few seconds before choosing to send Irene to the hospital first. Watching the ambulance carry them farther and farther away, Sinead's vision slowly lost focus, and her tears finally spilled over. Oh, Nelson... In the end, their years of relationship could not compare to one panicked look from Irene. As her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, the pain that had been gnawing at her began to fade. She did not last long enough for the next ambulance as her vision went black, and she slipped into darkness. - Sinead did not know how much time had passed before she heard murmurs of voices. When she opened her eyes, she saw Liana holding a hand to her chest with a worried look on her face. She sounded relieved when she said, "Thank goodness, Sinead. You finally woke up. You lost so much blood that if the ambulance hadn't gotten you here in time, even the hospital's blood bank might not have been enough to save you. There were three of you in that car. How did that young lady from the Johnson family end up with just a scrape on her hand while your condition deteriorated this badly?" Jackson finally let out a long sigh and raised a glass of water to his lips. "That's because Nelson was protecting her, of course. Irene was so moved because she saw who truly cared about her in an emergency. I just visited Irene's ward next door and happened to see Nelson feeding her using a spoon. If you ask me, they're as good as together already just from the way those two were looking at each other." Sinead listened quietly. Only after they finished their gossip did she ask in a hoarse voice, "How long was I asleep? Are the immigration papers ready?" "You were unconscious for two days and scared us half to death. You don't need to worry about the paperwork. It'll be ready in about twenty days. You just focus on getting better," Richard said. Hearing that there was less than a month left, a sense of relief washed over her. Over the next two or three days, Sinead kept hearing from the nurses about all the things Nelson was doing for Irene. Nelson would stay in Irene's ward without leaving her side every day. If he heard her cough in the middle of the night, he would be worried enough to go to the nurses to ask for hot water. He tested the temperature of every drink himself and kept sweets ready, worried that the medicine would be too bitter for her. When he was worried she would be bored in the ward, he went out of his way to find toys and games to cheer her up. Sinead listened in silence and said nothing. When a nurse wheeled Sinead out of her ward for a follow-up exam some time later, there was a commotion in the corridor. As they passed the next ward, she turned her head and saw Nelson standing there with a huge bouquet of roses in his arms, confessing his love for Irene. "Irene, I fell for you at first sight eight years ago. All those chance meetings were really me trying to get close to you. I remember everything you like, and I know what you dream about. I never got the chance to confess back then. Will you give me a chance now?" Nelson confessed. Hearing the nervous expectation in his voice, Sinead could not help remembering how Nelson had already started preparing this confession a month before Irene had gone abroad. Back then, a twist of fate had made them miss that moment, but it had finally arrived a few years later. When Sinead heard Irene say yes, she quietly scoffed and continued toward the examination room. The moment she turned away, the crowd gathered around them broke into warm applause. Nelson looked over and saw Sinead's lone figure. The smile on his face froze, and something in his heart shifted. That discomfort lasted only for a heartbeat before it was drowned beneath all the joy he was feeling. He opened his arms without hesitation and pulled Irene into his embrace. Chapter 4 That night, Sinead opened the ticketing app and searched for a direct flight from the city of Lunacoast to the city of Aragon, a major city in the country of Espada. As soon as she was done purchasing the ticket, Nelson walked in with Irene. "Sinead, I've got good news. Irene has agreed to be with me. You're the first person I'm telling. I'm a pretty good friend, right?" Looking at their tightly clasped hands, Sinead nodded, her tone calm. "Congratulations." Irene's eyes were full of happiness as she gave a shy smile. "Thanks for the good wishes. Liana said you were badly hurt. Are you feeling any better? I brought you something to eat. Why don't you give it a try?" As she spoke, she urged Nelson to hurry up and pour the seafood stew. Sinead froze for a moment before she reacted as she watched him obey her every word, "Thank you, but I'll have to pass." Nelson's expression instantly went cold as he looked at Sinead with displeasure. "Irene cooked this herself. I originally didn't want to share it with you, but she was worried about your injury. That's the only reason I even agreed to bring you a bowl. How could you be so ungrateful?" As he spoke, he filled a bowl and shoved it into her hands, insisting she eat it on the spot. Sinead wanted to explain, but he clamped down hard on her wrist. In the struggle, the bowl tipped, and the hot stew splashed straight onto her wound. "Ah!" Sinead let out a sharp cry. The pain was so intense that cold sweat broke out on her forehead as her whole face twisted and paled. Irene jolted in surprise, guilt flooding her expression as she quickly got some paper towels to try to wipe them off. Worried Irene would get burned, Nelson quickly pulled her behind him to shield her. "This isn't your fault, Irene. She's been tough since forever, and this is nothing serious. Don't blame yourself." Sinead's hand holding the tissue trembled again and again, her chest tightening. The next moment, Jackson pushed the door open. When he saw his daughter's wound bleeding through the bandage again, he went pale and yelled for a nurse at once. Liana's heart was aching, yet she still took the seafood stew with forced patience and explained to Irene, "She's allergic to seafood and can't have the stew. We appreciate the thought, so thank you." Nelson stood there in a daze, his expression going stiff. "Why didn't you say so earlier?" Staring at the gauze soaked red with blood, there was only bitterness in his throat. He had always remembered what she could not eat in the past. Every time they went to a restaurant, he would remind the servers repeatedly. No seafood. No scallions. No cilantro. Now that he had Irene, his heart was full of her. Of course, he no longer remembered these small things. A heart only had room for one person after all—the one he loved the most. After a long silence, she forced a smile and answered, "You never even gave me a chance to speak." The ward went dead quiet. Irene looked so guilty that she was on the verge of tears. Nelson's heart ached for her, but he said nothing and simply left with her. - Sinead had to stay in the hospital for three more days before she was discharged because the wound became infected. As the date of their relocation drew closer, everyone in the Green family was busy packing. Jackson and Liana did not have the time, so they prepared a generous gift and asked Sinead to make a trip to the Lane family home. As soon as she walked in, Nelson's parents, Kenny and Opal, took her hands and kept apologizing. "We're so sorry, Sinead! Despite the years between you and Nelson, he only looked out for Irene in that dangerous car crash, and you ended up getting so seriously hurt. We really feel awful. We'll make him apologize to you." Sinead shook her head and spoke gently to calm them down. "Ms. Johnson is Nelson's girlfriend, so it's only right for him to protect her. I'm fine now. Nothing really happened, so please don't worry." Seeing that she truly did not seem to mind, Kenny and Opal finally let go of some of their guilt. After the three of them chatted for a while, Sinead brought up the real reason she had come and told them that the Green family was moving abroad. Kenny and Opal stared at her in shock, caught off guard by the news. "Why so sudden?" "Because of the recent changes in the company, we actually started preparing half a year ago. We only confirmed the move recently. My parents asked me to come tell you in person," Sinead said. Kenny and Opal were sad to see their long-time friends go. Their voices were full of reluctance as they asked, "Will you come back in the future?" Sinead smiled, and in the quiet living room, her voice sounded especially clear. "We won't be coming back once we leave." Just then, Nelson came home and pushed the door open, frowning as he looked over. "Who's not coming back?" Chapter 5 Just as Kenny and Opal were about to speak, Sinead answered first. "No one. You misheard." The two elders looked at her in surprise. Nelson did not notice his parents' strange looks and pulled Sinead out to the car. "Since you're here and done talking, come with me somewhere." They rode in silence the whole way. When the car finally stopped, Sinead realized he had brought her to a luxury store. He told the staff to bring out a huge pile of clothes, shoes, and bags, and had her try them on one by one. She frowned, baffled. "Why am I trying all of these on?" Nelson pushed her into the fitting room, his tone clear that it was not up for discussion. "Just try them." Sinead was about to refuse, but the staff had already closed the door and started unboxing everything. Every time she finished trying on one outfit, Nelson would take a picture, and then she would be pushed back into the fitting room again. Sinead tried on more than a hundred outfits over and over until she was exhausted and the high heels had rubbed her feet sore to the point of bleeding. Finally, she could not hold back anymore. She shoved the staff away, hobbled over to Nelson, and spoke in a low voice. "I don't need you to buy all this to make up for what you did..." "Wrap up everything except that burgundy evening gown and send it to Ms. Irene Thompson at the Mount Zion villa," Nelson said. When Sinead heard what he had said, she couldn't finish what she was about to say. She watched him swipe the card without hesitation and asked in a hoarse voice, "You asked me to try all these things on just so you could give them to your girlfriend?" Nelson nodded nonchalantly, his lips forming a faint smile. "That's right. I want to give my girlfriend some presents, but I'm afraid they won't suit her taste. You two are about the same size. If you model them for me, things should go fine. Later on, you'll come with me to the dessert shop, jewelry store, and cosmetics stores upstairs. You can try all of them for me. I only want the best things for Irene." Listening to him map out all of this without asking her, Sinead could no longer suppress the anger in her heart. "Nelson Lane! I'm not your tool for pleasing your girlfriend!" Nelson had never seen Sinead lose her temper like this. He looked up in shock and saw her eyes bright red. "Do you know I've never treated you as some kind of buddy? When I hug you, when I kiss you, and even when I sleep with you, I'm serious! You don't have to like me, but you can't treat me like this!" Sinead's voice was trembling as she sobbed. Nelson froze, feeling a whirlwind of emotions inside. He wanted to explain, but Sinead had already turned and walked away. His gaze flickered slightly as he watched her disappear into the crowd. However, he recovered quickly enough in the next second. Back home, Sinead took out her suitcase and began to pack. At the dining table, she kept hearing Jackson and Liana mention Nelson from time to time. "I heard Nelson booked Globe Studios for three days to celebrate Irene's birthday. The roses were even air shipped in from Western Evria. He's really putting his heart into this." "A few days ago, he even took her back to the family residence to meet his grandfather. He paid out of his own pocket for several sets of antiques and said they were from Irene. The old man was overjoyed and kept praising her." Whenever the Lane family was mentioned, Sinead stayed silent. From time to time, faint ripples still stirred in her heart, but there was no pain anymore. She shut everything else out and turned down every invitation to gatherings and dinners where she might run into Nelson. On a few late nights, Nelson got drunk and messaged her to come pick him up, pretending nothing was wrong between them, but she never went. When people in their circle drank too much, they would sometimes bring this up, curiosity in their voices. "Nelson, what's going on with that childhood friend of yours? Why isn't she following you around lately?" Nelson did not take it seriously at all, and his tone was indifferent. "She's just throwing a tantrum. Ignore it, she'll be fine after a while." But after a long while, there was still no sign of Sinead. In the end, she stopped replying to his messages altogether. On the day before Nelson's birthday, he finally could not stay calm and sent her an electronic invitation for the party. This time, Sinead finally replied. Two words. [Not going.] Chapter 6 Early next morning, as soon as Sinead came downstairs, she ran into Nelson. He was sitting on the sofa with a dark expression on his face, his voice hard and cold. "Sinead!" She could tell from his tone that he was in a very bad mood. She still had no intention of calming him down, though, and her attitude was anything but warm. "Oh. Morning. I'm just about to go out on a date with my boyfriend, so I won't be keeping you company. Make yourself at home." The anger Nelson had been holding back for days finally snapped. He rose to his feet and grabbed her wrist, his eyes stormy. "Since when did you get a boyfriend?" Sinead did not answer, and there was no fear on her face. His temper flared, his grip tightening without him noticing. "Are you a mute now? Say something!" Sinead tried to pull her wrist free, the skin already red under his fingers as her tone remained cold. "How's that your business? Aren't you being a little too intrusive?" Just as the fight was about to blow up, Liana came downstairs and quickly pulled them apart. "Oh, she's just sulking. She's swamped with work right now, so how could she find the time to date anyone? If she's going to fall in love, that can wait till later. You two grew up together, so there's nothing you can't talk about. Stop arguing, alright?" With Sinead's mother there, they both calmed down and sat down. After Liana left, Nelson realized he had gone a little too far. Once he had cooled off, he thought back over what had just happened and frowned. Had Liana just said Sinead was too busy right now? What was going on? What was she so busy with that it had to wait until later? He had no idea, so he asked Sinead. "So… You were lying to me just now?" Sinead glanced at him and went to sit in the corner. "Do you need something?" Seeing her dodge the question, Nelson knew she was trying to mess with him. He let out a slow sigh and moved on to what really bothered him. "It's my birthday tomorrow. Why aren't you coming?" "I'm busy, and I can't find the time," Sinead said nonchalantly. Her coldness made Nelson's anger surge again, and he raised his voice. "What are you so busy with? What could be more important than my birthday? You used to be more eager than anyone else to celebrate with me." Sinead took a sip of water, her voice still calm. "Things are different now. You already have a girlfriend. You should be saying that to Irene, not me. I'm just an outsider." For some reason, Nelson felt a sharp pang of discomfort when he heard the word 'outsider'. He crossed one leg over the other and laced his fingers together. "I don't care. You have to come this year. Do you remember a few years ago, you promised me three wishes? First, you'd knit me a scarf. Second, you'd climb that snowy mountain with me. You've already done both. Now, I'm using the third wish. You have to come to my birthday." This time, Sinead did not snap back at him. Instead, she lowered her head. Her silence made Nelson feel even more stifled, and his voice turned colder. "Have you forgotten why you agreed to those three wishes in the first place?" Of course, she remembered. Three years ago, they had gone to the seaside, and they had been caught in the rising tide. She had gotten a cramp in her leg and had been swept out into the deep waters. Nelson had jumped in after her without a second thought, dragging her back to shore. By the time they had made it to safety, he was so exhausted that he had almost drowned himself. She had cried herself almost unconscious at his bedside and had even thought about wanting to die with him. When he finally woke up, he had gently wiped away her tears, his tone soft. "You're crying so much, someone might think I'm really dead." "Despite how much I care about you, you're still talking like that!" Sinead was so angry that she had hit him once, and he had begged for mercy while trying to comfort her. "Alright, alright… If you really care about me that much, then grant me three wishes…" Sinead became quiet again as she reminisced about the past. The room stayed quiet for a long time before she finally gave him an answer. "Alright. After I fulfill the third wish..." A phone's ringing cut her off. Nelson picked up the call as he stood up and walked out. "So long as you agree, that's enough. You have to come tomorrow." Watching him disappear through the doorway, Sinead finished the rest of her sentence. "Then we can stop contacting each other." Chapter 7 The next day. Halfway through the birthday party, Nelson and Irene announced the date for their wedding. Only then did Sinead realize that today was not just Nelson's birthday, but it was also their engagement party. Thunderous applause filled the hall as everyone offered their congratulations. Sinead sat alone in a corner as she watched them kiss with faces glowing with happiness, and she felt nothing at all. When it was time for the toasts, Irene walked over with her arm around Nelson's, smiling as she raised her glass. "Ms. Green, since you and Nelson are so close, will you be my bridesmaid on the day of our marriage?" "Sorry, I already have plans for that day. I can't make it to the wedding," Sinead said. Sinead's clean refusal made Nelson's expression change on the spot. He gave her a cold look, his tone especially stiff. "Doesn't matter if she comes or not, as long as the gift shows up." Sinead gave a small nod, her voice light. "Don't worry. With our history, I'll definitely send a big gift." Her tone was sincere, almost as if she were truly giving them her blessing. Thinking of what he had heard in the store a few days earlier, something complicated flickered through Nelson's eyes. Just then, a joyful tune played by the piano began, and Nelson led Irene onto the dance floor since he didn't know what else to say. The spotlight followed their graceful figures as they danced, light as butterflies dancing through the crowd. Watching how affectionate they were, the guests around them murmured in envy and praised them endlessly. "They really are a perfect match for each other, but getting engaged after just over a month... Isn't that a little rushed?" "What do you know? Nelson has liked Irene for years. Now that he has finally won her over, of course, he wants to make it official as soon as he can." Sinead leaned back against the sofa and watched in silence, her thoughts in chaos. Nelson had been the one to teach her ballroom dancing. Back then, they had no rhythm together as she kept stepping on his feet in high heels. He never got mad. Instead, he had simply leaned in with a wicked grin and murmured in her ear, "Every time you step on me, you owe me a kiss." That day, Sinead had learned how to dance. By the end, his feet were painted in bruises, and her lips were swollen from his kisses. She had thought he liked her too, that she already stood where a girlfriend should be in his heart. But after Irene came back, Sinead finally saw how ridiculous her assumptions had been as she watched with her own eyes how he had bent over backward to please another woman. Just as she was lost in her thoughts, someone came over and bowed with his hand extended, asking her for a dance. She didn't want to, but the man kept insisting. With everyone else already on the floor, coupled with the fact that she did not want to spoil the mood, she agreed in the end. The two strangers matched each other surprisingly well, their steps slow and smooth to the gentle music. The warmth of the man's palm seemed to carry a quiet spell, and she relaxed and let herself enjoy the dance little by little. It was the first time Nelson had seen Sinead smile that night. His expression darkened at once. His eyes, filled with clear displeasure, drifted to her repeatedly to the point he missed several beats during the dance. Noticing his distraction, Irene glanced sideways at him, something flickering in her gaze. When the music shifted, everyone on the floor switched partners. Sinead froze for a moment when she suddenly realized that the hand taking hers belonged to Nelson, and she lowered her eyes. They had only just completed a spin when everything went wrong. The crystal chandelier overhead came loose and crashed down with a sharp snap. Nelson instinctively let go of Sinead's hand and lunged toward Irene, wrapping her in his arms and pulling her out of the danger zone. Sinead barely managed to steady herself as she was left where she stood, and the falling chandelier barely skimmed past her shoulder and sliced a long gash across her hand. Blood flowed out immediately, soaking her white dress a vivid, scarlet red. It felt like fire in her every nerve. She could not help but let out a cry as her face grew paler. In just a few steps away, Nelson held Irene close, comforting her as he escorted her out. He did not even look at Sinead even once… Chapter 8 Sinead finally relaxed when the doctor said it was just a flesh wound and that her bone was fine, and that the falling chandelier had pretty much missed her. After they were done bandaging her hand, she went home. As the day of the Green family's departure drew near, the living room was filled with suitcases of every size. She rested for two days, then told a few close friends she was moving abroad. They put together a farewell dinner just for her, and the mood at the table was heavy. Everyone was sad to see her go and kept telling her to stay in touch after she left. It was nearly dawn by the time the gathering finally broke up. After seeing everyone off, Sinead paid the bill and went back to the private room for her purse before heading out. As she walked past the next room, a few familiar voices drifted out. "Nelson, how does it feel to finally get the girl you've had a crush on for years?" The door was half-open, and she could hear Nelson's amused tone clearly. "Feels like I would be fine with it even if I dropped dead right now." Laughter exploded inside, mixed with a tease. "Then what about that little childhood friend of yours?" After about ten seconds of silence, Nelson finally spoke lazily. "Her? She's pretty good in bed." "We're so jealous, Nelson. None of us has a partner who comes to your every beck and call, then leaves when you wave her off, and you don't even have to own up to it." The room then roared with laughter. Nelson only raised his eyebrow and said nothing. "But now that you're engaged to Irene, what are you going to do with her?" "End it cleanly, of course. Irene's the only one for me. I don't want anyone else." He sounded so sure that the others started praising how devoted he was. Sinead dug her nails into her palms so deeply that her knuckles went white. She had thought she was already over this, but hearing it with her own ears still felt like someone was tearing her heart open. So… Their twenty years of friendship… All those years of late-night calls, holding hands, kissing, and sleeping together... It all came down to one line. Pretty good in bed. She bit her lip hard to hold back the ache in her heart and then walked away on heavy feet. It was raining outside. She lowered her head and stepped into the rain, but someone blocked her path. Irene stood there with four or five young women, shoulder to shoulder, staring straight at her. Sinead stayed silent. Just as she raised a hand to hail a cab, Irene grabbed her. "I knew there was something off between you two. Now, I finally understand. So, this is how cheap you are, throwing yourself at my boyfriend and sleeping with him for so long." The hatred in her voice made Sinead's face go a shade paler. Sinead wanted to explain, but Irene did not give her the chance as she looked her over with open contempt. "I will let what happened before slide, but now that Nelson and I are engaged, you're still coming looking for him… Do you really like being a homewrecker that much?" Sinead's heart skipped a beat as she drew a deep breath. "I'm not a homewrecker, and I didn't come to see Nelson today..." Before she could finish, Irene cut her off with a glance at the young woman beside her. "Drag her inside and go find a few beggars." The young woman understood at once. They closed in on Sinead, shoving and pushing her up the stairs. "What are you doing?!" Fear jolted through her. She struggled with everything she had, but there were too many of them. They forced her into the innermost private room and locked the door. Before long, one of the young women came back with a beggar in tow. Irene clapped her hands as she let out a cold laugh and stepped aside. "This woman is quite desperate. She'll let you have her for free. You had better make sure she's satisfied." As Irene laughed, she had someone else close the door. In the cramped room, the ragged man lunged at her, his eyes gleaming. Sinead clawed at him again and again, fighting as hard as she could, but it did not help. He was far stronger than she was, and her dress was ripped open, revealing the skin underneath. He pressed his mouth against her, and a foul sewer stench spread through the room. Filled with rage and terror, Sinead's hand wrapped around an ashtray, and she swung it hard at the man's head without thinking. With a heavy thud, he crumpled to the floor. Barely believing she had gotten away, Sinead grabbed her phone and ran out, only to run straight into Irene in the hallway. She had not gone far at all. Seeing her escape, Irene's expression changed, and she grabbed Sinead's hand again. "How did you get out?!" Irene was about to drag Sinead back into the room when she caught sight of a figure from the corner of her eye. In an instant, her expression shifted. She let herself fall backward and tumbled down the stairs. Nelson happened to come out just then and saw it. Shock shot through his eyes as he rushed over and scooped Irene into his arms. Seeing the blue and purple marks on Irene, he immediately turned on Sinead in a blaze of fury. "Sinead! Why did you push Irene?!" Chapter 9 When Sinead saw Nelson accuse her without even trying to tell right from wrong, the hurt and grievance in her chest peaked. Even so, she forced herself to stay calm and tried to explain what had happened. "She was the one who got someone to try to rape me first! That fall down the stairs was her own act! If you don't believe me, go to the private room! That beggar is still..." Hearing this, Irene panicked too. She started crying as she tried to explain. "That's not true, Nelson. She cursed me and called me a homewrecker, saying I was getting between you and your childhood sweetheart! That's why… That's why she pushed me down the stairs. I didn't do anything! Why is she smearing my reputation like this?!" Between the two of them, Nelson believed Irene without question. He pulled her into his arms, and all his anger turned on Sinead, his voice cold as ice. "How could Irene possibly do anything like that? You're the one who was being completely unreasonable and pushed her down the stairs! How could you twist the truth and accuse her?! You've been clinging to me since you were just a kid, and I only stayed with you for the sake of our families. Since you don't know your place, then get out." Sinead's heart went completely cold in those few sentences. She stared straight at him and spoke each word clearly and with conviction. "Fine. I'll do what you want. We're done!" That mercilessly cold tone only made the anger in Nelson's chest burn even hotter. He refused to back down and threw out a harsh line in return as he watched her staggering as she left. "Don't ever let me see you again." From that moment on, Sinead knew it was good riddance forever. So, she did not slow down for even a moment, and she left without looking back. - After a night's rest, Sinead got up and tore off the calendar's last page. She was about to head to the garage with her suitcase when she heard Jackson and Liana call out to her. "Sinead, Kenny and Opal invited our whole family to have one last lunch together. Put your things away and come over now." Although Sinead really did not want to go, she knew that no matter how badly things had blown up between her and Nelson, it had nothing to do with her parents or Nelson's parents. After hesitating for a few seconds, she agreed. Fortunately, Nelson was not at home for the gathering that day. Kenny and Opal kept calling him, wanting him to come back, but even after calling more than a dozen times in a row, no one answered. Seeing that all the dishes were already on the table, Sinead thought for a moment, then said softly, "He's probably with Irene right now. It's just a meal, so it's not a big deal if he misses it. Let's not disturb their date." They still had a plane to catch, and they really couldn't wait any longer. Only then did Kenny and Opal put down their phones and have everyone sit at the table. They ate that meal with heavy hearts as the two families talked about the past the whole time. Sinead listened quietly, keeping her head down as she ate, speaking very little. After they finished eating, everyone went out to the yard and took a big group photo as a keepsake. At one in the afternoon, the Green family departed with their luggage while Kenny and Opal went along to see them off. When they reached the airport, Kenny and Opal made several more calls to Nelson, but there was still no response. The couple sighed and looked at their old friends with regret on their faces, their tone full of apology. "Nelson has been busy with his engagement these days and still doesn't know you're moving away permanently. When he comes back later and sees the house empty, he's going to be devastated." Sinead shook her head lightly, her voice flat. "He won't." The other four looked over when they heard this, their faces full of surprise. "Why?" Just then, the boarding announcement started playing over the loudspeakers. Sinead did not answer as she simply said goodbye to Kenny and Opal politely. Jackson and Liana also reached into their bag, took out a gift, and handed it to them. "Unfortunately, we won't be able to attend the two kids' wedding. Kenny, remember to pass on a message for us, that we wish them a happy marriage." The families were quite emotional when it was time to separate. Sinead stood off to the side alone as she pulled out her phone. Then, she blocked and deleted all of Nelson's contacts. After she was done, she waved to Kenny and Opal before holding her parents by their arms and turning to walk toward the departure gate. She did not look back again.