When Love Wilts and Blooms Again

Just as I left the group chat, Nathan’s call came through.

"Roxanne, get over here right now."

"Where?"

"You know where. The usual spot."

"Is something wrong?"

"You need to apologize to Sophia."

"Why should I apologize?"

"Because you suddenly left the group chat. Do you have any idea what our friends might think of her now?" Nathan’s tone was cold and commanding.

"I don’t want anyone talking badly about Sophia. It’s my fault. I’m the one who loves her and wants to give her a proper status. She’s innocent and doesn’t deserve to be labeled a homewrecker because of your impulsive actions."

I thought I’d become immune to his words and actions, but this still managed to ignite a dull, suffocating ache in my chest.

My fingers trembled slightly as I gripped the phone, my voice shaking as I responded, "Nathan, you can’t treat me like this. What gives you the right to bully me this way? You’re the one who betrayed me. I haven’t done anything wrong. I even congratulated the two of you. Isn’t that enough?"

I bit back my tears, refusing to let them fall, though my voice was already tinged with the sound of heartbreak.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.

"Roxanne," Nathan finally said, his voice low.

"I’ll let this go this time," Nathan said coldly. "But I hope you remember this—Sophia is innocent. Don’t take your anger out on her or hurt her."

The call ended abruptly.

I sat down on the carpet, my whole body trembling.

On the nightstand, the framed photo of my mother looked back at me, her expression gentle and loving.

Suddenly, tears streamed down my face. I reached out and clutched the frame tightly, holding it close as if it were her embrace.

Through the cold glass, I pressed my face against hers with tears falling endlessly. At that moment, it felt as though even in the photograph, she was grieving for her daughter.

I didn’t want to cry anymore. I didn’t want my mother, wherever she was, to feel sadness because of me.

Once her death anniversary had passed, I would gather the belongings she had left behind for me and leave Riverdale for good, never to return.