"The person you're thinking of... who is she?"
The dead hope inside me flickered back to life.
God, I wanted him to see the truth so badly.
I wanted him to piece together the clues and realize he still loved me.
But his lips trembled for a long time, and in the end, he said nothing.
I wasn't allergic to lotus seeds.
But in my memory, Lucy was. She'd told Neil about it more than once.
And he'd forgotten.
Did that mean some part of his heart still belonged to me?
Kent looked back and forth between us, then tugged on Neil's sleeve and whispered.
"Daddy, the one who likes warm lotus seed porridge is Mommy."
Heat rushed behind my eyes. I bit down hard on my lip and turned away.
I couldn't name what I was feeling.
Neil set the bowl down and pulled me into his arms, apologizing over and over.
"I'm sorry, Lucy... I forgot."
"Rachel used to love this. Every time she was on her period, I'd make it for her and she'd be happy for the rest of the day."
"I just haven't adjusted yet. I'm really sorry."
"Give me a little more time. I promise I'll memorize everything you like and forget Rachel completely. Okay?"
I bit through my lip and let the taste of blood sink all the way down to my heart.
Fine. Let it go.