"Comrade Dorothy, keep your promise," Jayden said, gripping my hand tightly as he slid the ring onto my finger and planting a gentle kiss.
Pulling back, I was startled by the moment and murmured in a faint voice, "I'm married, don't you know?"
Jayden leaned against the shelf, his expression rare and distant. "Why did you marry him after what he did to you back then?"
I knew he couldn't understand, and I didn't feel the need to explain. I waved a hand, silently urging him to drop the subject. A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "In that case, a memento for him."
With that, he nipped at my earlobe, not too gently, leaving a mark. His tender kisses traced down the bridge of my nose and landed on my lips, but I resisted, having already broken too many rules that day to indulge in such sweetness.
He paid no heed, pulling me into his embrace with an outstretched arm. "Dorothy, I can protect you now."
I pushed away from him. "I don't need it, not anymore."
Since our breakup at seventeen, since I rebuffed his advances, there was no turning back.
I pushed him away with my own hands.
A flicker of pain crossed Jayden's eyes, clearly stung by my words, and I turned away, refusing to meet his gaze.
He didn't pursue me, but his distinctive teenage voice lingered, clear in my ears. "You can't escape this."