Chapter 4
By the time I got home, it was late at night. Yet my parents had kept the lights on, waiting for me. As I stepped inside, the sight of a beautifully arranged spread of dishes and a princess cake made my heart ache.
“I told you not to wait for me!”
My dad smiled, lifting my suitcase and guiding me upstairs. “How could we? Today is our little princess’s birthday.”
Soon, the cheerful melodies of birthday songs filled the living room. Later that night, I curled up under the soft quilt my mother had made, drifting off into a blissful dream.
At eight o’clock the next morning, the incessant vibration of my phone jolted me awake. I groggily struggled to unlock it, finally managing to see the screen.
Landon’s number was glaringly red in the
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missed calls list.
As I clicked on Instagram, I found only one message among the missed voice and video calls. It read:
[Playing a game of running away from home with me? Olive, if you don‘ t do anything for one day, you will die, right?]
Realizing I hadn‘ t officially mentioned the breakup to Landon yet, I decided to call him. The phone rang five times before he finally picked up, his voice strained and laced with anger.
“Olive, you‘ re almost thirty. When will you start acting more mature? Running away from home is something only children do.”
Despite his anger, I remained calm and composed.
“I didn’t run away from home. In fact, I went home–to my own home.”
“Landon, leaving your house means I’m
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leaving you and everything that belongs to you.”
Silence hung in the air on the other end for what felt like an eternity, then he sighed heavily, a sound filled with fatigue.
“What is it this time?”
Even now, he still believed I was just causing trouble. I brought the phone. closer, my voice rising with conviction.
“This time, it’s because I don’t love your anymore. So, let’s break up, Landon!”
“Do you really think I’ll believe that?”
Landon’s rhetorical question came with a chuckle, his pride evident as always. I replied firmly, “You’ll believe it.” With that, I hung up the phone.
When I opened the door, I found my parents still leaning against the wall, clearly eavesdropping. I placed my hands. on my hips and shot them a sideways glance, which made them smile awkwardly,
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their expressions full of sheepishness.
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“We came to ask if you wanted breakfast. It was your father’s bright idea to eavesdrop,” my mother said, attempting to deflect the situation.
“Huh? Did I tell you to eavesdrop? Why are you unjustly accusing me?” my dad chimed in, feigning innocence.
I squeezed between them, playfully grabbing each of their necks and dragging them downstairs.
“Okay, fine! I didn’t want to keep it from you. Landon and I broke up. I really don’t like him at all anymore.”
My dad tilted his head, eyeing me cautiously. “You really don’t like him anymore?”
I nodded firmly. “Really.”
He clapped his hands and nearly jumped with excitement. “Great! I‘ ll inform your Aunt Betty tomorrow. I can tell you, she’s
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the most famous matchmaker in our area!”
Taking a deep breath, I let go of his neck and turned to head back upstairs. “I won’t eat anymore. I’m going to sleep for a while.”
My mother quickly wrapped her arms around me and kicked my dad playfully. “Go away! My daughter doesn’t have to worry about getting married. She can stay at home as long as she wants. She doesn’t ever have to marry, and I’ll support her.”
A warm feeling spread through me. My mother’s support was comforting. I hugged her tightly and planted a kiss on
her cheek.
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