Chapter 6: A Plan of Her Own

Maybe to avoid me, I didn’t see Caleb for several days.

The house felt emptier than usual, shadows stretching long across the hallway. I found myself listening for the sound of his keys in the lock, even though I told myself I didn’t care.

I wasn’t anxious.

Divorce isn’t just a matter of saying the word; I had to consider where I would live, how I’d make a living, and most importantly, how to explain things to the Harper family so I wouldn’t be married off to someone else right after the divorce.

Just in case, I secretly bought some farmland and a house. Even if my dowry was reclaimed by the Harpers, I’d have somewhere to go.

I picked a plot on the edge of town, close enough to civilization but far enough to breathe. The paperwork was crisp in my hands, a promise that I’d never again be at the mercy of someone else’s choices.

The day I exchanged cashier’s checks, it rained.

I arranged to meet someone on the third floor of Maple Heights Café to complete the transaction. As I went down to the second floor after signing the deed, I happened to run into Caleb and a group of friends going upstairs. They teased Caleb:

“Today, the Foster family invited Caleb to stay. Isn’t that a sign of good things to come?”

Their voices were loud, joking, and I could hear the gossipy undertone—like the whole town was rooting for a happy ending that had nothing to do with me.

“The Lin and Foster families arranged a marriage ten years ago. If not for fate’s tricks, they wouldn’t have missed three years. Fortunately, fate’s finally on their side.”

Caleb was surrounded by them, his face fair and lips red, warm and smiling.

“Mr. Foster just asked when my dad would be back in town, so he can pay a visit. Nothing more. Don’t talk nonsense and ruin the young lady’s reputation.”

He said it with a lightness that made me ache. I wondered if he’d ever defended me that way, or if he’d always seen me as a temporary inconvenience.

“Caleb—” Grace called out from the second floor.

Caleb fell silent.

Everyone seemed to know the truth. Amidst their teasing laughter, I took a step down, making a noise, and happened to meet Caleb’s gaze.

There was a hint of surprise in his eyes. His gaze swept over me; I was wearing all my jewelry, and my expression was calm. After a moment, he just called me, “Natalie.”

I smiled at him. “Caleb, congratulations. Good things are coming.”

Their laughter echoed down the stairwell, sharp as glass. I kept my head down, pretending to check my phone.

I calmly walked past him, but unexpectedly, he suddenly grabbed my wrist. “Natalie.”

My hands were full of paperwork, and his grip on my wrist lingered a beat too long. On one side is the childhood sweetheart. On the other, me.

Caleb didn’t even need to choose. He didn’t explain anything, wouldn’t embarrass Grace in public, and felt guilty toward her, so he let go of my hand, turned aside, and handed me an umbrella.

The umbrella was blue, stamped with the bank’s logo—one of those freebies you keep in your trunk for emergencies.

“Just a small get-together today. I’ll be home late. Don’t wait up.”

Caleb said this as if we were very close. But in fact, I’ve only ever waited for him once.