We Became Strangers

All three of our families gathered for Thanksgiving. During dinner, the topic of Samuel Stanton and Tina Hayford's childhood engagement once again became the center of attention. "Plenty of people get married while they're in graduate school. Have you two thought about it?" "Exactly. You two are so close. Why not get engaged this summer? It'll put both families at ease!" As the relatives on both sides teased them, I looked up and met Samuel's eyes across the table. However, the moment our eyes met, he looked away. Lowering his head, he casually placed some roasted turkey on Tina's plate. "We'll see. It's still too early." My heart sank instantly. This was already the fourth year of our secret relationship. It had been four years, and Samuel still refused to tell anyone that I was his girlfriend. He still used matching mugs with Tina, wore matching outfits with her, and merely smiled whenever their childhood engagement was brought up. He never once denied it. He always said he didn't want to disappoint either family and that he needed to wait for the right moment before telling the truth. This time, I didn't want to wait with him anymore. "Mom, didn't you once say I also had a childhood engagement?" I put down my fork and asked Mom, who was watching Samuel and Tina with an envious smile. "W-Who could that be?" nt our eyes met, he looked away. Lowering his head, he casually placed some roasted turkey on Tina's plate. "We'll see. It's still too early." My heart sank instantly. This was already the fourth year of our secret relationship. It had been four years, and Samuel still refused to tell anyone that I was his girlfriend. He still used matching mugs with Tina, wore matching outfits with her, and merely smiled whenever their childhood engagement was brought up. He never once denied it. He always said he didn't want to disappoint either family and that he needed to wait for the right moment before telling the truth. This time, I didn't want to wait with him anymore. "Mom, didn't you once say I also had a childhood engagement?" I put down my fork and asked Mom, who was watching Samuel and Tina with an envious smile. "W-Who could that be?" Chapter 1 My mom froze before turning to face me, Yvonne Gunther. "Why are you suddenly asking?" She lowered her voice. "Seeing everyone else in love finally made you jealous? "You always said you didn't want me setting you up, so I never brought it up." Taking my hand excitedly, she continued, "Your fiance was supposed to be Mrs. Jackson's son. Their family moved overseas years ago, but she's kept in touch with me all this time–" "Oh my, Sylvia, you're introducing someone to Yvonne already?" My mom's voice had risen just enough for Tina Mayford's mother to overhear, and she laughed. "Come to think of it, our three families are so close. If Yvonne hadn't been born a month later, who knows who would've gotten engaged instead?" "Everyone has their own destiny," Samuel Stanton's mother said gently. "Sylvia, whose son were you just talking about–" "She won't date anyone." Before Samuel's mother could finish her sentence, Samuel interrupted. He looked down and remained focused on cutting through the roasted turkey. He never even glanced at me. Yet his words were resolute. "How would you know? Yvonne is beautiful and thoughtful. Why wouldn't she date someone?" His mother asked. Samuel finally glanced at me. Then he smiled. "She's too demure. She'd never take the initiative to get close to another guy." No one noticed what was wrong with those words. I gripped my fork so tightly that my knuckles turned white. Yes. I was demure, obedient, and considerate. That was why I had willingly lived inside his lie for four whole years. "I might not have before, but I think I'd like to give it a try now," I said while smiling at everyone. "If any of you know someone suitable, please feel free to introduce me to them." Clink! Samuel suddenly knocked over a glass. The crisp sound echoed across the room. No one paid him any attention. All eyes were on me. Several enthusiastic relatives immediately began chatting with me. Some of them even pulled out their phones and were ready to recommend eligible bachelors by sending me their Instagram profiles. I accepted every offer. "Yvonne, stop fooling around." Tina glanced at Samuel, whose expression had darkened, before signaling frantically at me. "With your personality, how could you go on blind dates–" "Leave her alone." Samuel placed more roasted turkey onto Tina's plate. His voice was neither too loud nor too soft. "Go ahead and eat." "Samuel, what about Yvonne? Give her some too." His mother nudged him. Without looking up, Samuel reached over and placed a pecan pie on my plate. He then sat back down and began picking the overcooked pieces of turkey out of Tina's plate. The table suddenly fell much quieter. Samuel's mother sighed, put down her fork, and looked at him sternly. "What's gotten into you today? You've been distracted the entire meal. "You remember Tina doesn't eat overcooked meat, but you've forgotten that Yvonne is allergic to pecan nuts and never eats pecan pies?" Samuel froze. Someone nearby quickly tried to smooth things over. "That's right, Samuel. We know you're devoted to your girlfriend, but Yvonne's practically like your little sister too. You can't play favorites like that!" She was the girlfriend. I was the little sister. Amid the cheerful laughter around the table, every breath I took felt like a knife scraping against my throat. "It's fine. I can cut the turkey myself." I reached out and never looked in Samuel's direction again. Only after dinner, when the three families were saying their goodbyes outside, did Samuel finally come over. "W-What was that supposed to mean?" Standing behind me with his arms crossed, he frowned. "Why would you say something like that? Do you realize how many blind dates they'll arrange for you? Do you really want to be bothered by–" "I meant exactly what I said." I looked up and cut him off with a calm smile. "I wasn't joking, and I don't think it'll bother me. "Because I want a boyfriend who I won't have to hide. One I can love openly. "A real boyfriend." Chapter 2 Samuel didn't show any emotion at all. "So it's about that again?" His voice carried the weariness of someone who had expected this all along. "Yvonne, I've explained this to you countless times. "Tina's mother has a heart condition. She can't handle that kind of shock. "My dad is away on business most of the year. He wasn't home for Thanksgiving. If we're going to tell everyone, both families have to be present. "Do you honestly think doing so at the dinner table earlier was the right time?" In the past, whenever Samuel asked me that question, I would lower my head and swallow every complaint, but not this time. "So when will that be?" I clenched my jaw before asking. "Samuel, it's already been four years." He fell silent for a moment. "It's just a title." He looked at me. "Do you really care that much?" A wave of helplessness engulfed me once again. I loosened my tightly clenched fists. I felt exhausted to the core. He couldn't even give me a title. So what exactly had I been holding on to? "Yvonne! There you are!" A cheerful voice interrupted us. It was Tina. "Samuel, if you make Yvonne mad again, you'll be sorry!" She punched Samuel lightly on the shoulder. He smiled helplessly, and his eyes were full of indulgence. "And who am I doing all this for?" Tina glared at him and told him to shut up before casually throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Yvonne, that childhood engagement has been meaningless for ages. Don't overthink it. "Come watch a movie with us this afternoon! I already bought the tickets!" Like a magician, she pulled out three tickets. There was a single-seater ticket and a couple-seater ticket. Without hesitation, Samuel handed the single-seater ticket to me. "Wait, that's the wrong one–" "I'm keeping up appearances." Samuel stopped Tina before she could switch them. "What if our relatives find out we aren't sitting together?" "Oh, right." Tina pouted before turning back to me. "Yvonne, you'll have to put up with it just this once. "It's only a seat. I'm sure you won't mind." I forced a smile. Then, right in front of them, I tossed the movie ticket into the nearby trash can. "I don't mind. "I hope you two enjoy your date." I turned around and walked away while ignoring Tina's calls for me. Only after I got home and collapsed onto my bed did the tears finally come. Samuel had confessed to me during the summer after we graduated from high school. I still remembered that night, the tiny park filled with fireflies, and the earnest passion in his eyes. "Yvonne, I like you. "That childhood engagement was arranged by our parents. I don't have feelings for Tina. "From the very beginning, the only person I've ever liked is you." Back then, he had sounded so certain. That was why, during winter break of our freshman year, when his mother once again brought out a matching pair of bracelets for him and Tina, I stood up and prepared to announce our relationship. Samuel pulled me back down. He took the bracelets and personally fastened one onto Tina's wrist. "Yvonne, the time isn't right yet." That was the first time he had coaxed me. Over the next four years, he came up with hundreds of excuses. He coaxed me hundreds of times that way. He and Tina competed together in debate tournaments, they entered graduate school together, and they became the famous couple in the institution. As for me, four years had never even earned me a single chance to stand proudly by his side. I didn't want to keep walking anymore. On this path meant for two, the one who should leave had always been me. [Yvonne, I've already talked to him. Your childhood fiance just added you on Instagram. You two should have a nice chat.] My phone chimed. My tears hadn't even dried when I saw my mom's message. I had only asked that question on impulse. How had she moved so quickly? Flustered, I quickly checked the new friend request. The moment I saw the name, I froze again. How could it possibly be him? Chapter 3 Conrad Jackson. He was the graduate student I had met during my junior year when I went abroad for a research project. We were the same age, but he had skipped ahead by two years, so he was already pursuing his master's degree at the time. Back then, he had strongly encouraged me to apply to his advisor's graduate program. "For your field, the research environment overseas is much stronger than it is back home. You should consider coming here. "Our lab could really use someone with your talent." A year later, what he said hadn't changed in the slightest. "I never imagined we had this kind of connection, but I don't want you to feel pressured. We can just be friends if that's what you'd prefer. "My advisor still brings you up from time to time. He genuinely thinks highly of you. I'm curious, what do you have on your mind right now?" He knew exactly where to draw the line. He effortlessly steered the conversation back to academics. For the first time since stubbornly choosing to stay in the country for Samuel, I finally wavered. Maybe it really was time for a change of environment. We chatted briefly, and I sent him some of my personal information. Not long after that, someone knocked on the door. "Mrs. Gunther, I'm here to see Yvonne. I need to return a book I borrowed from her." It was Samuel. He was back from the movies with Tina. He walked into my bedroom, closed the door, and placed an elegant little box in front of me. "Alright, stop being mad," he said softly. "Open it, won't you?" I lifted the lid and froze. Inside was a pair of simple rings, and our initials were engraved on them. "The purchase of a lifetime, for you and only you." He took my hand and slipped one onto my finger as he recited the jewelry brand's famous slogan. "So, are you feeling better now?" I stared at his nonchalant expression. I didn't know how to respond. Every time he noticed I was bothered by him and Tina, he would give me a gift that softened my heart. This time should've been no different. If only I hadn't come across that video in our class group chat ten minutes after he left. "I just ran into the hottest guy in our department. He's shopping for engagement rings with his childhood sweetheart! Both their parents were there!" "Woah! Are they getting married?" "Tsk,tsk. They're winning at both love and academics. What a perfect life!" "Look! Samuel immediately asked to see the biggest diamond. He's absolutely spoiling her!" The video wasn't particularly clear, but it captured everything, including the moment after paying when Samuel specifically asked the sales associate for an extra empty gift box bearing the brand's logo. Calmly, I checked the brand's official website and browsed through over three hundred products on its homepage. As expected, the simple rings he had given me weren't among them. He had simply bought an inexpensive pair of rings somewhere else, engraved our initials on them, and placed them inside that branded box. His 'purchase of a lifetime' apparently came in countless copies, and I was simply the easiest one to fool. [Tina and I ran into our parents right after the movie. We were just putting on a show with them.] [Don't overthink it.] Samuel was the first to message me. "Yvonne, Samuel and I were really dragged there by our parents. Don't listen to all the gossip in class! "I'll just hold onto the ring for you until later. Please don't let your imagination run wild!" Tina then sent me voice messages. Every single message told me not to overthink things. I really wasn't going to anymore. I picked up my phone and sent a single line of text. [Samuel, let's break up.] Chapter 4 Twenty minutes after I sent the message, Samuel finally called. "Yvonne, what exactly are you making such a fuss about?" There wasn't a trace of panic in his voice. Instead, there was only irritation. "I've already explained everything. We were just–" "Samuel." I had no interest in hearing another excuse. I only wanted to tell him one thing. "It's okay. You can keep pretending, or maybe turn your act into reality. "I'm the one who wants to break up. That's all." There was silence between us. On the other end of the line, Samuel's breathing grew heavier and heavier. Finally, he snorted. "Suit yourself. Yvonne, I don't have endless energy to keep coaxing you. "You always make simple things ridiculously complicated. Today it's this. Tomorrow it's something else. "When are you ever going to be as open and straightforward as Tina?" He hung up right after that. I lowered my phone and laughed bitterly at myself. Conrad had just invited me to meet up. This time, I accepted without hesitation. At the same time, I booked a flight overseas for the following day. What I hadn't expected was that, on the very last day of the holiday, Grandma's health suddenly took a turn for the worse. She had always adored me, but now she was nearing the end of her life. The ward was filled with relatives. I sat beside her bed and cried uncontrollably while holding her hand. Suddenly, I felt her trace a single word on my palm. [Samuel.] My heart raced. I looked up and saw the hopeful look in Grandma's eyes. Out of everyone, only Grandma had once caught Samuel and me embracing in the backyard. She was the only one who knew about our relationship. I understood immediately. For her granddaughter's sake, she wanted to see Samuel one last time before she died. She wanted to say a few final words to him. I quickly retrieved my phone and called Samuel, but not a single call went through. He even ignored my messages. 'Samuel, I'm begging you, please pick up.' I prayed through my tears. The light in Grandma's eyes slowly faded away. Just before she passed away, she squeezed my hand with all the strength she had left. Like a puppet with its strings cut, I sat numbly amid the family's sobs. My gaze remained fixed on the empty doorway. Samuel didn't arrive until evening. He was dressed in a tailored suit with a lapel flower on it. "Tina's grandmother is getting old. Yesterday, she said she was afraid she wouldn't live long enough to see Tina get engaged." He stood before me and spoke calmly. "So, just to make her happy, I agreed to go back with Tina and stage a fake engagement ceremony. "My phone was turned off during the ceremony. That's why I missed your calls." He looked me over. Displeasure creeped into his eyes. "There were only a few missed calls. Did you actually make up a story about your grandmother dying just to trick me? "I visited her at the hospital yesterday. If you're going to lie, at least come up with a more believable excuse." I looked at him without saying a word. He looked handsome in that suit. It was exactly the way I had once imagined he would look while standing beside me on our wedding day. But in reality, he wore that suit on the day my grandmother died. When I needed him the most, he was holding an engagement ceremony with another woman. I smiled before chuckling wearily. I felt dead on the inside. "Alright. If you're not feeling well, get some rest." Seeing how pale I looked, a trace of concern flickered across his eyes. "If you catch a cold, take some medicine. We still have to fly back to campus together tomorrow for the graduation ceremony." He left soon after that. Five minutes later, my mom Sylvia quietly entered my room and sat beside me. She asked whether Samuel and I had been dating. My eyes welled up with tears. I looked at her and nodded. "Yvonne. A man like him isn't worth waiting for." She looked at me gently. Concern filled her eyes. I smiled reassuringly. I then placed my flight ticket in front of her. I would never wait for him again. Samuel and I would never walk the same path again for the rest of my life. The next morning, Samuel appeared at my front door. He had called me more than a dozen times. He had also sent countless messages. None had received a reply. He still assumed I was giving him the silent treatment over what had happened yesterday. Left with no other choice, he brought Tina with him and knocked on our door. "Mrs. Gunther, is Yvonne ready yet? If we wait any longer, we'll miss our flight back–" "Flight?" Sylvia smiled as she looked at the two of them. "Yvonne doesn't need to catch that flight anymore. "She's going overseas for graduate school. She left before dawn. She's out of the country now." The color drained from Samuel's face in an instant.