Life After Them

Because of my fragile health, my best friend, Eva, kept me on a tight leash growing up. She always told me, "Leah, you can't take risks." So for every date David and I planned, she had to test it out for me first. When the new roller coaster opened at the amusement park and she said it was too intense for my heart, David took her instead. After I booked a bed-and-breakfast by the ocean, Eva said the night breeze was too strong for me. So David spent the night there with her. I made reservations at a romantic couple's restaurant, only for her to say the menu might trigger an allergic reaction. That was why David took her to try it first. Every time they came back, Eva would look me in the eye and say, "That place just isn't right for you." And David would always nod along. "She’s only looking out for you." I believed them every time until the night before our fifth anniversary, when I saw Eva’s latest post on social media. She was wearing the white dress I had spent weeks picking out, sitting at the table by the window I had reserved. There sat the custom cake I had ordered for David. Her caption read: [Tested it out for her first! Completely safe and so magical.] Right below it, David had commented: [You're the best, Eva.] Looking at the screen, it hit me all at once. This twisted game of stepping over boundaries under the guise of "testing things out" had finally run its course. Chapter 1 By the time David Moreno and Eva Bennett got back, it was almost 11 p.m. The moment the door opened, Eva’s voice drifted in before she did. "Leah, you really missed out by not going!" She took off her coat, carrying a gift bag from the restaurant I had reserved. "The window seat was gorgeous, right over the river. Though the air conditioning was pretty strong, you definitely couldn't have handled it. And the cake! The frosting wasn't overwhelming. I tried it for you, so it’s completely safe. Although David said it was too sweet and told me not to eat too much." As she said this, she looked back at David, who was leaning against the entryway with a light smile. "You ate half a slice, and you've got the nerve to say 'not too much.'" "Wasn't I just testing it for Leah?" Eva immediately glared at him, but David just chuckled and let it drop. They went back and forth, looking as if they had just finished a real date. Meanwhile, I sat on the couch, unable to find a single opening to join the conversation. It was only after a long moment that Eva finally noticed I wasn't smiling. She walked over timidly. "Leah, are you upset?" "What do you think?" I looked at her. Eva’s eyes instantly welled up. "I know I boss you around too much, but I’m honestly just terrified something might happen to you. Back in high school, when you collapsed on the track field, the doctor said it would've been critical ten minutes later. "David carried you on his back all the way to the nurse's station that day, and my hands were shaking so hard out of pure fear. Leah, if anything happens to you again, the ones who'll hurt the most aren't you. It's the two of us." The smile on David's face faded. He stepped over to me, his tone deepening. "She’s just looking out for you." That phrase again. Since that episode in high school, they had turned my life into a minefield of restricted zones. Even though I had told them countless times that during my checkup six months ago, the doctor explicitly said I had recovered very well. As long as I avoided extreme physical strain, I could live just like any normal person. It was just that they never believed it. After Eva left, I looked at David, pressed my lips together, and asked, "So, are we still going to try on the rings tomorrow?" David frowned, acting as if my question had come out of the blue. "What kind of question is that? Of course we are. The wedding is only a month away. How can we not try on the rings?" I nodded, wanting to give this relationship one last chance. The next afternoon, when I arrived at the jewelry store, Eva was already sitting beside David. "Leah, over here!" she waved at me. Seeing my footsteps halt, David offered a completely natural explanation. "Isn't your skin usually pretty sensitive? I had Eva test the size for you first, so you wouldn't flare up." Just then, the clerk brought out the ring, the inside band engraved with David’s and my names. Before I could even reach out, Eva picked it up and gently slipped it onto her own ring finger. "It fits perfectly." Her eyes glittered as she held her hand up in front of David. "David, look! Doesn't it fit super well?" The clerk smiled warmly. "You two look so great together, as if it was custom-made for Ms. Bennett." Eva blushed and looked at David, who simply chuckled. "She just loves showing off." He didn't explain or correct the clerk. Standing to the side, I felt like an unwanted third wheel as Eva turned the ring on her finger, thoughtfully offering her review. "Leah, I think this size might be a little tight for you. I don't know why, but it feels like it was tailor-made for me." Right after saying that, she looked at me in a panic. "Don't take it the wrong way, though! I didn't mean it like that." I didn't say a word. She tried to pull the ring off, but it stuck at her knuckle. She tried a second time, but it wouldn't budge. David’s expression shifted, and he took hold of her hand. "Don't force it." The clerk grew nervous as well, joking half-heartedly, "Sometimes when a ring won't come off, it's considered a good omen. It's a sign it belongs there!" Eva’s face flushed even redder while David reprimanded her in a low voice, "Keep your hand still." Suddenly, I found the whole thing completely pointless. "There's no need to take it off." They both looked up at me at the same time. "Since it fits so well, just keep it on," I said calmly. Eva froze. "Leah..." I stared at the ring on her hand, the one engraved with my name. "Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't fit." Then I turned around and walked out. When I got back home, I started packing my bags. The acceptance letter for my advanced studies abroad had come in long ago. My mentor, Professor Hildon, had followed up with me three times about it, but I had always put it off. At 9 p.m., David and Eva finally returned. As expected, the ring was still on Eva’s hand. She stood timidly by the doorway. "Leah, are you still mad?" "No." I pressed my passport into the suitcase. David glanced over at my luggage, his brow furrowing instantly. "What are you throwing a fit about now?" Eva quickly pulled out a stack of invitation samples, her tone carrying a hint of a plea. "Right, the wedding team wants us to pick a color theme. Leah, why don't you choose one?" I casually pointed to the muted blue on the far left. "Too cold," David spoke up immediately. "It feels a bit unlucky, too," Eva added softly. "This blush pink is warmer. It’ll really bring out your complexion." She looked up at me, her tone as gentle as always. "Leah, I’m only doing this for your own good." Looking at the ring on her hand, I suddenly smiled. She tried the restaurant for me. She tried the cake for me. She tried the ring for me. And now, even the wedding color theme had to be chosen for me. I snapped my suitcase shut. It didn't matter. I just needed to hold on for a few more days. Once this wedding tailored for someone else was over, I'd leave. Chapter 2 That evening, David still came over to comfort me. When he pushed the door open, I had just shoved my suitcase into the closet. He saw it, but didn't pay it any mind. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Still mad?" I said nothing. He turned me around, the pad of his thumb brushing against the corner of my eye. "About the ring, Eva went over the line. But she was just worried about you, too." I raised my eyes to look at him. David paused, his voice softening. "If you really don't like it, I'll have someone remake it tomorrow, engraved with only your name. How's that?" If this were the past, I probably would have been swayed by those words. Now, all I felt was pure exhaustion. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. "Come home with me tomorrow. You ought to meet my parents before the wedding." My instinct was to refuse. However, I knew that if I brought up leaving now, it would only trigger a wave of questions and obstacles from them. There were still twenty-six days left before my program started. All I needed to do was go through the motions, and when the time came, I could leave quietly without a trace. So I nodded. "Okay." Before heading out the next day, I made sure to buy gifts. I picked up the pastries David's mom, Mary, loved, the wine David's dad, Henry, usually drank, and a tennis bracelet for his grandmother. After being together for so many years, even if it was ending, I wanted to end things with dignity. Yet when the car pulled up to the Morenos' house, I saw Eva already out in the yard, accompanying Grandma Moreno to enjoy the sun. The ring on her hand hadn't been taken off. In the bright sunlight, it gleamed glaringly. Mary came out of the house, chuckling affectionately at her. "You silly girl, you're so thoughtful." Eva’s eyes crinkled as she smiled. "Mary, you're flattering me so much I'm getting embarrassed." After she spoke, she acted as if she had just noticed me. "Leah, you're here!" Carrying the gifts, I walked over and greeted everyone politely. Mary took the bags without so much as a second glance, pulling Eva along with a warm smile. "You said you wanted barbecue ribs earlier, so I told the cook to add it to the menu." Eva looked at me sheepishly and said with an apologetic tone, "Leah, please don't take it the wrong way. I really didn't mean to take your place. I was just worried you'd be nervous for your first visit, so I wanted to test the waters first and see if Henry and Mary were easy to get along with." She paused, then broke into another smile. "They took to me right away, so I'm sure they'll love you just as much!" I nodded smoothly. "That's great." Her expression froze for a split second, clearly not expecting that I wouldn't be upset. During dinner, Mary insisted that Eva sit right next to her, with David on Eva's other side, while I sat across from them. In the middle of the meal, Mary suddenly asked, "Have you picked out your wedding dress yet?" David glanced at me. "We haven't settled on one yet." Eva chimed in instantly. "Leah has such fair skin. She'd look gorgeous in satin. I tried it on for her already." As if remembering something, Mary turned around and had the housekeeper bring out a velvet box. "This is an heirloom piece passed down from David's grandmother, originally meant for our future daughter-in-law." She opened the box to reveal a diamond tennis bracelet. Then, completely naturally, she reached out and pulled Eva’s hand toward her. "Try it on for Leah first, just to see if it fits." Eva's fingertips trembled slightly, but she didn't pull back. The diamond tennis bracelet slid over her wrist—a perfect fit. Grandma Moreno couldn't stop smiling. "Oh my, look at that! A perfect fit." Mary was taken aback for a second before laughing softly. "It really does look like it was made for you." Eva blushed before looking over at me in a panic. "Leah, don't overthink this! I'm just trying it on for you." I looked at the ring on her hand, and then at the diamond tennis bracelet on her wrist. Suddenly, the entire scene struck me as absurdly hilarious. David frowned. "Leah." He was probably terrified I would throw a scene right then and there. Instead, I simply put down my fork and said calmly, "It fits really well." The entire table fell silent for a moment. Eva’s eyes welled up with tears again, and David’s gaze turned cold as he shot me a warning look not to embarrass her. However, I didn't care anymore. After dinner, Mary saw us to the door. I was walking behind them when I heard her lower her voice to David. "Honestly, Eva is such a sweet girl. If you weren't set on marrying Leah, I'd really love to have her as my daughter-in-law." Eva heard it, too. She turned around abruptly, her face going slightly pale. "Mary, please don't say that. Leah will feel hurt." Mary smiled and patted the back of her hand. "Her health is fragile, and she overthinks things easily. Be more considerate of her in the future." On the drive back, David finally broke the silence. "My mom was just talking off the cuff." I stared out the window. "Mm." "I'll give you the bracelet later." "Mm." Seemingly irritated by my total calm, his tone hardened. "Leah, can you stop acting like you're the most wronged person in the world?" I let out a cold laugh, keeping my eyes fixed on the flight booking screen on my phone. It was almost time to leave. Chapter 3 When I got home, I didn't mention the Morenos again. David must have realized he’d been a bit harsh earlier. After showering that evening, he walked in carrying a cup of tea. "You're still up?" I was sitting at the edge of the bed organizing my files. The confirmation email from the overseas university was already sitting in my inbox. The final item left on my checklist was the pre-departure medical checkup report. Once I had that, I could leave. David set the tea down beside me and leaned over to look. "Don't take what happened today to heart." I didn't look up. "Mm." He frowned slightly and pulled the laptop from my hands. "Leah." I finally looked at him. He sat down beside me, his tone softening. "You know I don't like it when you give me the cold shoulder." I just looked at him and asked, "So?" David stared at me for a moment, then suddenly chuckled and reached out to pinch my cheek. "Look at you, getting so bold. Once the wedding is over, I'll take you to the beach." My fingers froze. That was a place I had brought up countless times—a place Eva had visited in my stead, but somewhere David had never actually taken me. He murmured, "Just the two of us. No Eva." If he had said this to me a little earlier, I might have hesitated to let go. But now, it only felt ironic. A few days later, the bridal shop called to confirm my makeup trial. The moment I hung up, a notification popped up from Eva. [Leah, I've already arrived.] When I hurried over to the bridal shop, Eva was already sitting in front of the vanity mirror, wearing the veil with glitter pressed around the outer corners of her eyes. The makeup artist smiled warmly. "Ms. Gray, you're here. Your friend mentioned earlier that your skin is prone to allergies, so she tested the base makeup for you first." Eva immediately stood up, pointing to her face. "See? I tested it for you. No allergic reaction at all." I looked at the veil on her head. It was the one I had picked out. "Where's the wedding dress?" Eva’s face shifted slightly. The makeup artist pulled back the curtain, revealing the main gown inside. The waistline had been temporarily pinned an inch tighter. I walked over, my fingers touching the safety pins. "Who altered this?" Eva said softly, "It was a little loose when I tried it on just now, so the staff just pinned it for me real quick." I let out a cold laugh. Her eyes immediately welled up with tears again. "I was just worried it’d feel too heavy on you, so I wanted to see if it was easy to walk in first." She panicked and hurried to take off the veil. "Here, I'll give it back to you." As the veil came off, David casually handed it to me. "Alright, put it on and try it out." I didn't take it. He frowned. "What's wrong now?" I looked at the piece of white tulle Eva had just worn. "It's dirty." David’s gaze turned icy. "Leah." Eva’s face drained of color in an instant. She bit her lip, looking utterly wronged. David stepped up to me and lowered his voice. "Do you really have to embarrass her in public like this?" I looked at him. "Did you ever stop to think about whether I was embarrassed?" He paused, but quickly frowned again. "Eva's been taking care of you since you were kids. Is this any way for you to act?" After the makeup trial, the wedding planner brought over the vow journal. "Mr. Moreno, Ms. Gray, you can start writing what you'd like to say at the wedding." Just as I reached for it, Eva grabbed it with a smile. "I know Leah isn't great at expressing herself, so let me check the format for her." She flipped open the first page and read the prompt out loud. "'When was the first time your heart fluttered?'" She blinked and looked toward David. "David, when was the first time your heart fluttered?" David leaned back lazily on the couch. "High school." Eva giggled. "It couldn't have been that day I rushed Leah to the nurse's office, could it?" David didn't deny it. "You cried harder than she did that day." Eva blushed. "I was terrified!" The planner smiled fondly. "You two have such a great bond." Once again, David offered no explanation. As if suddenly remembering I was there, Eva turned to me. "Leah, don't get the wrong idea. I was just asking off the top of my head." She handed the pen over. "Here, you write it." I took the pen and paused on the first page for a very long time. In the end, I wrote down just three words. [This ends here.] Eva leaned in to look, freezing on the spot. "Leah, writing that is so unlucky." David saw it, too, and his face darkened. "What on earth are you trying to pull?" I snapped the vows booklet shut. "Nothing." My phone vibrated in my bag, a message from the medical center. [Your pre-departure medical report has been generated. Please pick it up within three business days.] Eva was silent on the ride back. As we approached our building, she suddenly murmured in a small voice, "Leah, about the veil today, I'm really sorry. I won't test things for you anymore." Hearing that, David frowned. "Her health isn't good. If you don't test things, who will?" Eva’s eyes turned red. "But she thinks I'm dirty..." David slammed his foot on the brake, pulling the car abruptly to the side of the road. He turned around, his eyes suppressed with rage. "Leah. Apologize." I stared out the window. "No." A dead silence settled over the car as Eva’s tears spilled over. David let out a harsh, cold laugh. "Fine." He unlocked the car doors. "Then get out and cool your head." I turned to look at him. "Come back only when you've figured things out," he said in a heavy tone. Eva froze. "David, don't be like this. Leah isn't in good health—" David didn't look at her, keeping his eyes locked on me. "Doesn't she think she can handle everything on her own? Let her walk." I pushed the door open and stepped out into the night wind. Eva called out in a panic, "Leah, don't be mad! David didn't mean it like that—" David didn't look back; the car door slammed shut, and the black sedan sped off into the night. I called a cab directly to the medical center. The nurse on duty verified my details and handed me the folder. "Ms. Gray, all your metrics are normal. You're good to go for international travel." I took the thin stack of paper, suddenly feeling that the weight that had trapped me for so many years wasn't so heavy after all. At 1 a.m., I dragged my packed suitcase out the door. Before my flight took off, a stream of texts from David popped up on my screen. [Have you cooled off yet?] [I'm at Eva's.] [Come over, apologize, and we can put this whole thing behind us.] I looked at the messages, then turned off my phone. From now on, I would never be the prop in their little love story ever again.