It dawned on me that he was there with Lillian.

Lillian said, her tone light and playful, "Oh? Scarlett, don't you have anything you want to eat?

"Mr. Pettyfer and I brought you a milkshake, you want one?"

Lillian teased, stretching out her words, "There's a buy-two-get-one-free deal at the shop!"

"I don't really feel like eating anything. You guys go ahead. And don't bother getting anything for me."

I hung up the phone without another word.

My eyes felt dry and hollow, but no tears would come.

At that moment, a long-forgotten WhatsApp profile picture popped up on my screen: [Scarlett, how have you been lately?]

I was taken aback. "Uncle Vincent?"

Vincent's messages came pouring in on WhatsApp.

[Scarlett, I heard from Leo that the bracelet my sister left you is broken.]

[What happened?]

Vincent and Leo, the craftsman who fixed the bracelet, were old acquaintances.

My throat tightened. [I'm so sorry, Uncle Vincent. I didn't take care of Mom's keepsake...]

I shared my decision to divorce Oliver with Vincent.

[If that's how it is, there's no reason for you to stay with him.]

[Scarlett, why don't you come live with me in France? Your aunt and I miss you a lot.]

France?