Chapter 1

There was a one-second silence on the other end.

She probably hadn’t expected me to say that.

“What do you mean?”

There was confusion in Tessa’s voice, and even a hint of impatience.

“I just had something come up. Why are you blowing up like this?”

I stared at the sweet and sour fish on the table. My mom had specially ordered it, saying it was the dish my girlfriend liked.

“I’m not blowing up. I’m being very clear. We don’t need to see each other again.”

“Will, can you be reasonable? Leo is a guy, and he ran into this kind of thing out there. Am I supposed to ignore it? If it were you, wouldn’t you want people around you to help instead of standing by?”

I almost laughed out loud.

“Tessa, seven thousand of that ten thousand was money I saved from side jobs over the last two years. I don’t care who you lent it to. Give me back my seven thousand within three days.”

“Are you insane? The money’s already been lent out. Where am I supposed to get seven thousand for you?”

“That’s your problem.”

I stood up and picked up the coat from the back of my chair.

“Three days. If I don’t get the money, I’ll take legal action.”

“Will! Don’t push it!”

“Me, push it? Today was the first time my parents were meeting you. I started booking the restaurant and researching the menu two weeks ago. I was up until three last night because I was worried you’d get stuck in traffic today, worried you’d be nervous, worried my dad’s questions would be too hard for you. And you? You ran off to be some saint and save the world.”

After that, I hung up and turned my phone off.

My mom was sitting across from me, her eyes already red, but she held back her tears.

My dad lifted his teacup, took a sip, then set it down.

“Dad, Mom.” I forced a smile. “Sorry. I let you down too.”

“What are you saying?” My mom’s voice was a little hoarse. “Let you down? The one who should be embarrassed isn’t you.”

My dad didn’t say anything.

“The food’s gone cold. I’ll ask the waiter to heat it up.” I pressed the call button on the table.

“Will,” my dad finally said, “what are you planning to do about this relationship?”

“Break up.”

My mom froze for a second. “Don’t you want to think about it a little more?”

“Mom, if she can leave me hanging like this on a day like today just to deal with some younger guy’s problem, then after we get married, whenever something comes up, is she going to run off to handle his problems too?”

My dad nodded, a very small motion, but I saw it.

“Then break up.” My dad said, “It’s better to see the truth early than late.”

The waiter came in and took the dishes away. My mom took the chance to grab my hand.

“Son, Mom just feels bad for you. You prepared for today for so long…”

“It’s fine.” I squeezed her hand back. “Just pretend I treated you both to a meal.”

When the dishes were brought back, my mom insisted on putting a rib in my bowl.

“Eat. Don’t waste it. This place really does make good ribs.”

After dinner, I sent my parents to the subway station. At the entrance, my mom suddenly turned around and hugged me.

“If she doesn’t pay that money back, tell me. Mom still has some savings.”

“No need.” I patted her back. “I can handle it myself.”