Chapter 2

"Need help?" A voice sounded behind me as I walked out of the restaurant.

I turned around and met Harper's deep eyes.

I hadn't expected her to arrive so quickly.

Seeing the unhesitating worry and heartache in her gaze, my eyes finally welled up. I spoke, as if seeking solace, "Harper, I want a grand wedding."

"Okay, Caleb. As soon as your divorce is final, I'll marry you. How about we set the wedding for four days from now?"

"Caleb Stone!"

Serena had returned at some point. Seeing me with Harper, her face twisted into a terrible expression.

She rushed at us like a madwoman, raising her hand to slap Harper's face.

Harper, quick as lightning, caught her wrist.

"Harper! You b*tch! You snake! Taking advantage of my misery!"

Serena shrieked, her eyes bloodshot. "Caleb Stone, you're already hooking up with your old flame? You couldn't wait, could you?"

"Serena, what right do you have to talk about Caleb like that?"

Harper stepped in front of me, her voice colder than I'd ever heard it. "I gave you five years, but you failed to take care of him! Now it's my turn!"

That sentence completely choked Serena. She looked at me with a complex gaze, then at Harper.

She was probably remembering the past.

Harper and I were childhood sweethearts. Serena came later.

Both pursued me, but in the end, I chose Serena.

For five years of marriage, I poured my heart out for Serena, believing she did the same for me. I never imagined she still held a grudge about my past with Harper.

"Let's go!" Serena glared at us fiercely, dragging Julian away in a rage.

I looked at Harper, my thoughts drifting back years ago.

We grew up together, almost inseparable from kindergarten to high school.

Everyone thought we'd naturally end up together.

After I went public with Serena, everyone joked, "The childhood sweetheart never wins against destiny's pick."

Back then, I just smiled and said nothing. Serena, to me, truly felt like a gift from heaven.

If not for what happened later, if I hadn't chosen Serena...

Harper spoke softly, pulling me from my thoughts. "Caleb, let's get your arm treated first."

I nodded and followed her.

The next day, Serena's father asked to see me.

I hesitated, then agreed.

If there was one person from the Stone family I was reluctant to let go of, it was this elder who treated me like his own son.

At the coffee shop, Mr. Harrison pushed an ornate keepsake box across the table, his eyes brimming with tears.

"This was for the baby," he choked out. "I've kept it all this time."

I opened the box. Inside was a pure gold longevity locket, intricately carved. It had the traditional wishes for 'Peace, Joy, and Long Life' inscribed on it.

My eyes welled up too.

That child I never met was the deepest pain in my heart.

When Serena was three months pregnant, Mr. Harrison excitedly dragged me to a jewelry store, saying he wanted to buy a gift for his future grandson.

We spent an entire afternoon picking it out, finally settling on this locket.

"Dad, actually..." I wanted to tell him I was getting divorced, but the words caught in my throat.

"Serena let you down," Mr. Harrison gripped my hand. "I never liked that Julian from the first moment I saw him. You're the son-in-law I always wanted!"

My tears finally fell.

After that miscarriage, the doctors said Serena's body was damaged, and it would be very difficult for her to have children again.

Though she outwardly comforted me, I clearly saw the blame in her eyes.

She believed it was my poor driving that caused the car crash.

Only Mr. Harrison patted my shoulder, saying the accident was something no one could have foreseen, and told me to focus on my recovery.

He still treated me like his own son.

"Dad, I have to go," I said, putting away the locket and forcing a smile. "Thank you for always taking care of me."

Mr. Harrison held my hand, his eyes filled with reluctance.

He wanted to say more, but in the end, he just patted my hand.

After leaving the coffee shop, I suddenly remembered the pair of baby bracelets still in the safe at home.

They were my only keepsake. I had to get them back.