Chapter 4: Regrets and Reckonings

4

[That’s odd. Usually the troublemaker side character would go over and break them up, making our heroine unhappy. But today she’s not moving at all.]

[Has she really changed her tune? Can the plot still go as planned?]

[Who cares if she’s changed—I just want to see the main couple’s sweet romance. Rugged country guy × delicate city girl, it’s too good!]

I blinked my reddened eyes, forcing the tears back. In the past, I would have gone over to teach Savannah myself. Then I’d use the chance to drive Caleb away, not giving them time alone. I’d brag to Savannah about being childhood friends with Caleb, knowing him inside out, and how we’d marry at the end of the year. I’d go on and on about how Caleb’s parents liked me, telling Savannah I was the daughter-in-law the Ford family had chosen, staking my claim. The more disappointed Savannah was, the happier I’d be. Looking back, I really was a bit vicious. So being hated and cursed by the subtitles isn’t unfair.

I remembered all the times I’d cornered Savannah by the water pump behind the barn, its chipped paint and rusty handle glinting in the sun, tossing out little digs about how Caleb liked his coffee black and his eggs over easy, just to prove I knew him best. I’d watched her face fall, and felt a bitter satisfaction—one that now tasted like regret. Maybe the town gossip wasn’t so wrong after all.

I buried my head in my work. Suddenly, a shadow fell over me. Instinctively, I looked up to see Caleb standing in front of me. Maybe he noticed my red eyes. Caleb paused, then awkwardly looked away, his voice cold and harsh as ever. “If you can’t handle the work, go home!” Completely different from how he was with Savannah just now. My chest tightened, and I almost couldn’t hold back my tears. I quickly turned around, forcing myself not to sob. “I’m not feeling great, I’ll head home.” I didn’t wait for a reply and hurried home.

His words hit me like a slap. I wanted to yell, to ask him why he was so gentle with her and so cruel to me, but all I could do was turn away, blinking back tears. The rows of corn blurred as I hurried down the dirt path, boots thudding against the dry ground. I could feel Caleb’s eyes on my back, but I didn’t dare look.

My family is big—besides my parents, I have two older brothers, so our hours are enough for everyone to eat and drink. Normally, they wouldn’t let me work in the fields. But ever since Savannah came to town, hearing rumors about her and Caleb made me upset. That’s why I insisted on working, mostly to keep them apart. Today, too, I didn’t want to give up, hoping Caleb’s attitude toward me would improve. Now it seems, it was all wishful thinking. He definitely thinks last night’s person was Savannah. They’ll probably get married soon.

At home, the kitchen smelled of fried bacon and strong coffee, with a fresh-baked apple pie cooling on the counter for the church bake sale. My brothers were already at the table, joking about the weather, while Mom fussed over the pie. I slipped past them, keeping my head down. The thought of Caleb and Savannah together gnawed at me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything I’d done was pointless.