We arrived at the orchard just as the cherries were ripening, their sweet scent filling the air.
Leland took my hand and led me to the trees, his gentle gaze still captivating me. I couldn’t help but stare at his lips, his high nose, and his handsome brows.
“These dark red ones are the sweetest. Open your mouth, little glutton,” he said.
I popped the fruit into my mouth, but the sweetness was tinged with bitterness.
It was the taste of being deceived and betrayed.
My heart churned, but I forced a smile, holding back my tears.
My father was an orphan with no relatives. After my grandparents passed away, Leland was the only family I had left in this world.
But would he always be my family?
My stomach started to ache again, so I excused myself to the restroom.
The brighter I used to smile, the more miserably I now cried.
I never knew that loving someone could hurt so much as if his betrayal had carved a piece out of my heart.
The pain in my stomach made it hard to stand, so I leaned against the wall, trembling as I cried.
Leland knocked on the door, his voice filled with concern. “Kay, are you okay? You’ve been in there a while. Answer me, or I’ll start to worry.”
I turned on the faucet, splashing water on my swollen eyes.
My voice came out hoarse, “I’m fine. Just a stomachache.”
As I opened the door, Leland pulled me into his arms without warning.
“You’ve been crying? Silly girl, why didn’t you tell me you were in pain? Let’s go to the hospital!”
His face was full of anxiety as he carried me out, rushing to the car.
Once he set me down in the passenger seat, I grabbed his hand.“No, it’s not that bad. I just want you to make me a cherry cake.”
He was taken aback, breathed a sigh of relief, and tapped my nose.“Little glutton, alright, I’ll get anything you want for you.”
He took me to the lounge. My eyes stung again.
Memories flooded back of sitting on his shoulders at the circus, watching the performers. Back then, he always lifted me high, even though he rarely smiled.
The circus had monkeys performing tricks, and people called it a “monkey show“. I let out a bitter laugh. Right now, I felt just like one of those monkeys.
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. No matter how much I tried to wash them away, my eyes stayed red. I decided to let it all out, crying until my heart ached and I shivered in the corner, too cold to open my eyes.
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