The River of Regrets

"You haven't graduated yet, have you?"

He had forgotten everything.

He'd forgotten the foods I didn't like, forgotten the type of tissues I preferred. Now, he had even forgotten the promises he made to me.

I picked up a piece of meat, forcing myself to chew and swallow it.

"I graduated—"

Before I could finish, his phone, which was sitting on the table, suddenly rang.

The name on the screen flashed: Honey.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes, and he quickly grabbed the phone, lowering the volume. I couldn't hear what was said on the other end, but his reply was quick. "I'll be right back."

He hung up the phone and looked at me.

"My friend ran into some trouble. I need to go. Do you mind eating by yourself for now? I'll make it up to you tomorrow and throw you a welcome-back dinner."

Before I could respond, he grabbed his keys and left.

Watching him walk away, I felt as though a sword had stabbed straight through my chest.

All year long, I had been counting down the days, eagerly waiting to return home, to be with him. But now, everything was gone. His promises to me were as fragile as bubbles, vanishing into thin air.

When I was ten, the River family adopted me.

My father and Rowan's dad, Patrick River, had been good friends. When my father was diagnosed with cancer, he entrusted me to Patrick before he passed.

When I first arrived at the Rivers household, everyone except Patrick was cold to me. Since I was adopted, the maids and even Rowan's mother thought it was unnecessary to show me any respect. I had to tiptoe around, just trying to survive in that house.

I couldn't eat much at meals for fear of being scolded. I had no pocket money for school, and I didn't dare ask for any.

I remember one time, I hadn't eaten all day, and I sneaked into the kitchen late at night to find something to eat. The maid caught me and scolded me, but Rowan came to my rescue.

"How dare you treat my sister this way!"

That was the first time I saw him.

Later, I learned that he was the heir to the River family; he was six years older than me and already in high school.

From then on, he came home every day, and no one dared to bully me as long as he was around.

He always said, "Angela, I'll protect you."

Then, on the day I turned eighteen, he barged into my room, drunk.

He kissed me and said he wanted to marry me.

And so, I kept thinking about marrying him.

As I recalled this, I received a message from Samantha.

[You're back? I have something to tell you—Rowan and I have a child now, and we're getting married next month.]

Normally, she would pretend to be considerate, saying she was taking good care of Rowan for me. But now, she didn't bother to hide anything anymore.

If this had been before, I would have gone straight to Rowan and confronted him.

Because in my heart, I always remembered what he had said to me on my eighteenth birthday.

I thought he had feelings for me.

Every time I threw a tantrum, he would distance himself from the other women around him.

But this time, I didn't want to make a scene. I was just so tired.

I turned off my phone and checked into a hotel.

Then I sent a message to a talent scout who had contacted me before. I told him that I was ready to become a singer.

He had noticed me when I was living abroad and had been inviting me to join his company ever since.

He said I had a natural talent for singing and that I was bound to become famous.

But I had always been preoccupied with Rowan, so I turned him down before.

He replied quickly, [I'm glad you've finally made up your mind. When will you be back?]

I thought about it for a moment. My return had been so sudden.

I had originally planned to surprise Rowan, but now he had already given me a huge surprise of his own.

Now, I wasn't in the mood for anything, but I thought of Patrick.

After all, he had taken care of me for so many years. I decided to go see him.

So I told the talent scout I would be back in three days.

The next day, I prepared to return to the River residence. But Rowan contacted me first.

He said he was holding a welcome-back dinner for me at a clubhouse and would be picking me up soon.

At first, I wanted to cut ties completely and not go.

But I didn't want Patrick to find things out that way, so I decided to keep things peaceful for now.

I gave him the address.

He picked me up soon after and took me to the clubhouse but didn't enter with me.