Chapter 3 Fireworks
383 Words
They came out of the theater late, walking shoulder to shoulder with their fingers intertwined like a couple hopelessly in love.
Nearby, a girl grabbed her friend's arm excitedly. "Look at them. They're gorgeous together. I think they were kissing in the theater too. God, I wish I had a relationship like that."
Bitterness spread through my chest.
Ivy and Finn were so wrapped up in each other that they almost walked straight past me without noticing.
In the end, I couldn't stop myself. I called out to them.
The smiles on their faces froze instantly. Ivy's expression changed first. The color drained from her face, and she immediately turned away from me.
I walked toward them as though nothing had happened.
"Happy anniversary, honey," I said lightly. Then I looked at Finn and smiled. "And thanks, Finn, for helping me keep my wife company on a day like this. I appreciate it."
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the girl who had been admiring them moments earlier suddenly go pale. That alone almost made the humiliation worth it.
"I thought you had to work," Ivy snapped. "Why are you here?"
Then, without lowering her voice at all, she added coldly, "You ruined everything."
She grabbed Finn's arm. "Finn, ignore him. Let's go."
"All right, Ivy." Finn held her back gently before looking toward me. "I was planning to take her to watch the fireworks. Since you're here now, you should go with her instead."
"No." Ivy immediately refused. "You promised me. Are you really going back on your word?"
Her grip tightened around Finn's hand as she shook his arm lightly, using the spoiled, childish tone that always got her whatever she wanted.
"If you're not going," she muttered, "then neither am I."
A trace of discomfort flashed across Finn's face.
I swallowed my pride. "Then let's all go together," I said quietly. "You're siblings. There's nothing strange about it."
The fireworks venue was only a short walk away. Ivy naturally looped her arm through Finn's and walked ahead with him.
I followed several steps behind, like someone who didn't belong there at all. From beginning to end, my wife never once looked back at me.
She simply assumed I would follow behind her the way I always had.
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