Chapter 4Marry Now, Not Later

Amanda immediately covered her mouth with her hands. "Oops. Did I say something I shouldn't have?"

Jeff took a deep breath. "Celeste, that was just something I said in the heat of an argument."

Amanda jumped in to defend him. "Exactly! You can't take things people say when they're angry seriously."

She grinned. "Hey, maybe we should all call her an old crow a few times. You know, to desensitize her."

And then, led by her, they all started chanting, like a cruel joke.

"Old crow! Old crow! Old crow!"

Amanda's voice was the loudest.

Jeff just sat there, a weak smile on his face, making no move to stop them.

In that instant, I felt like I had thrown seven years of my life away on a stray dog.

I stood up, walked back to the bedroom in silence, and packed my bags.

When I emerged, dragging my suitcase behind me, Jeff was still laughing with his friends.

Amanda noticed me first. "Where are you going, Celeste? You're not actually mad about a little joke, are you?"

I looked at Jeff. He glanced over his shoulder at me, then turned back to his friends.

"Just ignore her," he said dismissively. "She's too old to take a joke."

That was it. That was the final, definitive end to seven years of my life.

The moment I was in the car, I dialed the number of my childhood friend, Kevin.

"I've made my decision," I said, my voice steady. "I'll accept your family's marriage proposal. Set the date for the first of next month. If you have no objections, start planning the wedding."

There was a three-second pause on the other end. "Are you sure you want to marry me?"

"If you don't want to, I won't force you."

"I do! I absolutely do!" he said, his voice suddenly full of energy. "Then it's settled. No turning back!"