After that fight, Erik did note home for a week. Not a call. Not even a single text asking how I was.


    I still knew exactly where he was, though-Tania made sure of that.


    Every day, she sent me little “updates” about her and Erik’s ns. He took her to see cherry blossoms and yed a private concert for her under the petals.


    They stood on stage together like a perfect pair, the crowd calling them a match made in heaven.


    Erik never bothered to exin, while Tania just tilted her head, cheeks pink, ying the bashful muse.


    And when the concert ended, they kissed in front of everyone.


    Later, she sent me a text.


    “Kara, it’s just our etiquette, please don’t mind. I only wanted you to know Erik and I are doing well, so you don’t have to worry.”


    Not long after, both of them posted matching photos. The pictures were of ster hand molds of their fingers inter-


    twined.


    They both had the caption, “I only wish to spend the rest of my life with the one I love.”


    A faint ring mark was visible on Tania’s slender finger.


    By evening, the post was gone.


    Before, I would have been dialing his number nonstop, demanding answers, and screaming until my voice But this time? I did not even feel like lifting my phone.


    It was the buzzing of a new message that pulled me out of my thoughts.


    gave out.


    “Ms. son, this is the eighteenth time your wedding to Mr. Elmgren has been postponed. The venue has been re- booked. Do you want toe confirm it in person?”


    Usually, every postponement brought a wave of disappointment.


    However, I would always brush it off, telling myself I was still the one marrying him and still the one who designed seventeen weddings for us.


    This time, I just felt tired.


    I was about to reply when the door opened.


    Erik stepped in, froze when he saw me, and then shrugged off his coat and wrapped his arms around me from behind.


    0.0 %


    08:31


    BOJENES


    The scent of light lemon perfume hit me immediately. I hated it.


    “Sorry,” he murmured, “I’ve been busy with work. How’s your hand?”


    I shook my head, barely reacting. He caught my right hand, his breath warm as he blew on my bandaged finger.


    “I’m sorry for losing my temper that day. Don’t take it to heart, okay?”


    I smiled inwardly, but it was not a happy smile.


    “I got you something,” he said, producing a cherry blossom-patterned box. Inside was a delicate ne.


    I had seen it yesterday on Tania’s neck.


    Before I could refuse, he sped it around mine.


    “Kara, since you are injured, just let Tania y the new song, okay?” he asked.


    His tone was soft and his eyes were warm. It was the same way he had looked at me the first time we met at a music exhibition.


    Only now, I knew those eyes were not for me.


    Iughed quietly, took the ne off, and dropped it back into the box.


    “She can’t y my music.”


    That single sentence made his warmth vanish.


    “Can’t y it? Kara, stop pretending. If Tania can’t y it, how can you-injured as you are-y it?


    “I’ve already given her the score. She’ll perform it whether you like it or not.”


    I stood frozen, my heart shattering into dust.


    My injured hand throbbed, fresh blood seeping through the bandage.


    “If she wants to y it, let her.”


    His mood shifted instantly, a smile tugging at his lips.


    “Kara, I swear, this is thest time. Tania gave up an award overseas to help me find my heart. I owe her.


    “You understand, right?”