Chapter 2The Rebirth of Nora

Teenagers' feelings come faster and hotter than midsummer rain.

Caleb and I naturally fell in love, also naturally discovered puppy love by teacher called parents.

Always loving parents furious, forced me kneel on ground break up with him, locked me at home not letting out.

But I loved Caleb.

First seventeen years of life, parents always strict with me. Still remember once I scored 98, happily took paper home.

Waiting for me not praise, but questioning why that 2 points lost where, and punishment kneeling.

These years I walked step by step under parents' high pressure, being a so-called good girl.

Caleb was someone never appeared in my world, broke my life's shell, pulled me out, saw this bizarre and colorful world.

He took me skipping class, taught me mixing drinks in midnight bar, laughed at me when I coughed face red, then bought me hot milk.

I don't know if I loved him, or loved that never experienced world.

Anyway, to be with Caleb, I jumped from second floor window, ran away with Caleb.

I still remember him waiting for me at train station, seeing me hugged me into arms.

Boy's heartbeat deafening, he asked me:

"Nora, are you afraid?"

I loud voice:

"I not afraid!"

"Good, then I take you go, relax, later I definitely treat you well!"

...

Caleb indeed as he said, treated me very well.

We no money, could only live in cheapest rental apartment, dripping water into ice winter, even rats in room froze shivering.

Caleb would give me last egg in instant noodles, then put my cold feet on his stomach warming.

Young, love drinks water full, really not afraid of bitterness.

Bitter days passed few years, Caleb still capable, he partnered with people earned first pot of gold, then founded our company.

He very smart, also very hardworking, worked no day no night.

I heartached him, desperately learned, from beginning ignorant know nothing to later ease handling every business, effort finally had result, few years made company big.

We moved from rental to apartment, then from big flat to mid-level detached villa.

When proposing, he gave me grandest wedding, fireworks half city could see.

Successful so many years, friends around him had mistresses, only he always guarded me, phone let me check, daily video calls constant, off work inseparable with me.

That time, I really thought, we would grow old together like this.

Until 28 years old, I found he cheated with fresh graduate intern Sophie in his company.

We started quarreling, big quarrel, things at home smashed changed, changed smashed.

I cried, angry, finally only numbness left.

Lovers once willing give life for each other, finally actually turned enemies, said most hurtful words.

I closed dry eyes, opened again.

In photo on bedside, eighteen year old Caleb hugging seventeen year old Nora, smiling brilliantly to camera.