Page 72 of Bittersweet Legacy

“Esmeralda?”

I grimaced at the pain this name inflicted. “I’m just not ready to say goodbye to Esme and Cal.” I admitted, not caring at how obvious the vulnerability was in my voice.

Today I saw a boy I wasn’t sure was all fake, a boy I could have loved so deeply. A boy I could have saved.

Today had been a mistake because for a minute, a treacherous minute, I wondered if it could work between him and I, if I could save us, and that single insignificant question had the potential to poison my heart for the rest of my life.

“Esmeralda, look at me.” He was back to ordering me even if his voice had lost some of his harshness.

I turned to him, not even bothering to put the perfect robot mask on.

He detailed my face. “I had a good day too,” he admitted reluctantly. He was confused too, this much was clear, could he -

Stop hoping Esme, you're on your way out.

“Esmeralda, I just -”

“Yes?” I encouraged, resting my hand on top of his.

He moved his hand from under mine and no matter how I thought I was safe from him, this gentle rejection hurt me.

“I need the ring back,” he said, getting the small box out of his pocket and I was sure it was not what he was about to say.

“Oh, of course,” I looked down at the small ring with longing before taking it off my finger.

I removed it and looked at it for another second before dropping it in his expectant hand.

He gave me back my horrible engagement ring and as I slide it back on my finger, I realized I hated it more now than I did before, but it was also the bucket of cold water I needed.

“Thank you for today,” I offered sincerely before getting out of the car.

“Esmeralda, wait!” he called back after I closed the car door.

He had slid down the window and was leaning on the seat gesturing me closer.

“Yeah?”

He pointed at the seat and the little pink box. “For you.”

“Why?” I asked taking the box carefully and standing beside the car.

“To remember there’ll always be today,” he replied, almost to himself before starting the car.

I looked at him go before looking down at the box and opening it slowly as if a poisonous snake was going to strike, and knowing our usual relationship it wasn’t so farfetched.

My heart squeezed in my chest as I saw what was in the box, the Angels’ wings necklace shaped as a heart.

“There’ll always be today,” I confirmed as my eyes started to sting for the boy I met and lost today.

“What are you doing outside?” Archie asked coldly from behind me.

I put the box in my jacket as discreetly as possible and turned around.

He looked askance at me, his face reflecting a disapproval I didn’t understand.

I wiped at the tear I didn't notice had ran down my cheek. “I'm going to bed,” I told him finally, exhausted by the turmoil of emotions I’d been through today.

“A leopard never changes its spots,” he shouted after me but I ignored him. I didn’t have it in me to fight any battles tonight – least of all with Archie.

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