Chapter 2

When I opened my eyes again, I was still standing by the dusty road entrance, waiting for Ethan and Serena just like I did every day.

The only difference was that those creeps didn't bother me anymore. They didn't even look at me.

It was only when they gathered near the old gas station to smoke that I could hear their muffled laughter, and it sounded like they were talking about me.

I drifted closer to listen.

"Lola was crazy, sure, but she was easily the prettiest girl in this godforsaken town."

"Lucky for us she was slow. Otherwise, her brother would've taken her to the city long ago."

"Yeah, and thank god Ethan wasn't here. She ended up dying in Luke's house anyway."

"As long as we keep our mouths shut, nobody can pin it on us."

They rambled on, using words too complicated for my mind.

But I understood one thing clearly.

They said Ethan left me behind because he thought I was stupid.

I puffed out my cheeks and yelled at them angrily:

"Ethan never thought I was stupid! He told me so!"

"Just you wait! When Ethan comes back, I'm going to tell him everything! He will make you pay!"

When evening came, I walked past the desolate cemetery on the hill.

I saw Chloe holding my old mason jar, looking busy.

She took the remaining chocolates from the jar and placed them gently, one by one, on a small dirt mound next to my parents' tombstones.

She even hammered a small wooden cross into the dirt, carefully carving the name: Lola Carter.

I sat next to her and giggled.

"Chloe is the smartest and prettiest girl ever. Your handwriting is so beautiful."

"Now that my name is on it, no one will steal my chocolates, right?"

Chloe didn't answer me. She turned around and slowly poured a handful of greyish-white ashes into the empty mason jar.

She begged Ned, a townsperson who was heading to the city for business, to deliver the jar to Ethan no matter what.

My eyes went wide with excitement.

"You're going to see Ethan? Can I come this time?"

Chloe still didn't look at me.

But at least she didn't stop me.

"Since you're quiet, I'll take that as a yes!"

I was thrilled. I skipped along behind Ned all the way to the city.

Ned shoved the mason jar into Ethan's hands, muttered "I'm so sorry for your loss," and hurried away.

Ethan held the familiar jar, standing on the bustling city street, looking completely lost.

I happily threw myself at him for a hug, but my body passed right through him.

Serena, looking elegant and stylish, walked out of their apartment and asked softly:

"What is it, Ethan?"

Ethan frowned, staring at the jar in his hands.

"Isn't this Lola's jar?"

"That guy just told me he was sorry for my loss and ran off. Did something happen to Lola?"

Since moving to the city, Serena had painted her nails a beautiful bright red, and she wore shiny silver bracelets on her wrists. She looked so pretty.

She giggled and took the jar from his hands.

"Ethan, you know how Lola is."

"She probably ate all the chocolates and begged Ned to bring her precious jar to you, just to trick you into buying her more."

"You can't keep spoiling her like this."

"Besides, she's about to be a mother. Too much sugar isn't good for the baby."

Hearing her words, tears welled up in my eyes.

I pointed at my flat stomach and screamed:

"Ethan, I didn't! I saved the chocolates because I was scared you'd be mad! I put them back!"

"And the baby is gone, Ethan... eating candy won't hurt anymore..."

"I just missed you and Serena. I just wanted to see you."

But Ethan didn't look at me. He couldn't hear a thing.

He seemed to notice something and said, "The jar feels a bit heavy. Is there something inside?"

In fact, Serena had already opened the jar when Ethan wasn't looking and saw the letter tucked inside.

She shook her head smoothly. "Nothing. Just some dirt. You know how she likes to collect random things."

With that, she walked over to the corner of the yard and poured the grey ashes onto the soil beneath a tree, using it as fertilizer.

The grey dust instantly buried the letter deep underground.

Ethan sighed, looking a bit guilty.

"Do you think I was too hasty in letting Lola get married?"

Serena took Ethan's hand, her voice sweet and reassuring.

"Ethan, Lola had to grow up eventually. You couldn't protect her forever."

"Now that the knot is tied, making a scene will only ruin her reputation."

"Isn't it better for her to be married to a normal man than to live alone?"

"Besides, Lola's mind is... confused. It's only natural she made a mistake and got pregnant without knowing any better."

"The list of names in that old rumors letter was just gossip. There's no proof those men actually did anything. Why overthink it?"

"If I hadn't stopped you last time, the whole town would know she got pregnant out of wedlock. That would have truly ruined her life."

Ethan was silenced by her logic. He finally nodded, letting out a long breath.

"If I hadn't given her the wrong medication when we were kids, her brain wouldn't have burned up like that. She wouldn't be this way."

"I'm just... terrified of her being hurt."

Just then, a middle-aged man walked into the yard, looking cheerful.

"Ethan! The factory approved your family leave!"

"Hurry up and head back. Go bring your sister to the city for her medical checkup."