4
“It’s okay, Jack. We’re all classmates. If she can’t say it, let it be,” Sophia tugged at his sleeve.
Jack finally returned to normal, letting out a long breath: “I was too hasty. We’ll wait for her to say it in the future.”
I pursed my lips, tightening my grip on the lunch box.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back first.”
In my heart, I thought silently.
Jack, there won’t be a future.
Sophia’s voice came from behind: “Come sing karaoke with us later. It’s Jack’s treat. You’re his sister, it wouldn’t be right if you didn’t come, right?”
I thought Sophia invited me to learn more about Jack.
I didn’t expect my thoughts to be so simple.
Jack was chatting with others, and Sophia sat down next to me.
From the moment we entered the private room, she had been very enthusiastic towards me.
“Emily, I heard you and Jack are childhood friends. You two make such a good–looking pair, why didn’t you consider getting together?”
She even linked arms with me, making it impossible for me to avoid the topic.
Jack has always seen me as a sister. He wouldn’t be with his sister.”
11:43 AM C
<
I wanted to dispel Sophia’s concerns, after all, they had just gotten together and lacked a sense of security based on trust.
But she persisted, her tone somewhat provocative: “Are you saying you have unrequited love for my boyfriend?”
“Ah, no…” I opened my mouth, but didn’t know how to refute for a moment.
“Jack, that necklace on your neck looks pretty nice.”
Jack had already sat down next to Sophia, handing her a piece of fruit.
“Oh, this is something my parents got from a temple when I was little. They said it could bring protection.”
“You like it?”
Sophia stopped his motion as he was about to take it off, nestling coquettishly in his arms: “I just thought Emily’s necklace looked like a couple’s set with yours. But never mind, she must wear it every day because she likes it…”
Jack looked at me, his gaze sweeping across my neck.
“Emily, give me your necklace.”
Without waiting for my reaction, he reached out to take it off.
“We’re all family now. Since Sophia likes it, consider it your welcoming gift to her.”
I instinctively leaned back, avoiding his hand that was about to touch me.
He was stunned for a moment, but his eyes quickly filled with anger: “Are you being disobedient? Don’t forget, this belongs to our family. I have the right to take it back.”
The noise around us suddenly stopped.
Everyone
turned their gaze towards me.
“Jack, what are you saying? That necklace was from when Emily had a high fever for three days, and you cried and begged your parents to take you to the temple to get it for her.”
The person speaking was a friend who grew up with us.
Jack seemed to suddenly realize something and instinctively withdrew his hand.
“I just thought we’ve all grown up now and don’t need its protection to be okay. Never mind… I was wrong. If you like it, keep it.”
“No need. I’ll give it back to you now,” I pulled off the protection necklace from my neck. “Now I don’t owe you anything anymore.”
He stared at the necklace in his hand, frozen in place.
<
For a moment, his figure seemed to overlap with the Jack who had personally put the necklace on me years ago.
Twelve–year–old Jack cried in my ear, telling me not to forgive him.
