The Spring She Grew Into

Janice hailed a cab back to her place and stood under the shower, letting the water cascade over her, washing away the night.

She did not leave the shower until her skin was pruney from the water's embrace.

Stepping into the living room, she found Adrian sprawled on the couch, stinking of booze.

He squinted at her arrival. "My head's throbbing. Get me a lemon soda, will you?"

She used to cater to his drunken whims, nursing him with lemon soda, a warm wash, and fresh pajamas until he was snug in bed.

Not this time. Janice walked past him, heading for her room.

Adrian caught up and wrapped his arms around her, his breath hot on her neck.

"Why the silent treatment? You're not jealous, are you?

"You've met Yvette. She's a sheltered schoolgirl, timid and not as competent as you. When I take her out, I have to pay extra attention to her, right?"

Janice forced a smile, but it did not quite reach her eyes. A bitter taste lingered in her mouth.

Why was it that the shy ones always got a pass, someone to say 'no more' when the drinks came around? Was she just cursed with an iron stomach?

When he had jetted off overseas without so much as a goodbye, she was the one left to juggle the family businesses, toasting and schmoozing until her stomach was raw. Did anyone ever spare a thought for how green she was, fresh out of college?

The weight of all that unfairness and exhaustion hit her hard, and tears welled up in Janice's eyes.

Adrian noticed, and something in him seemed to soften. He wiped her tears away and pulled out a jewelry box with a pair of diamond earrings that sparkled like tiny stars. He tenderly spoke, "Check these out; the latest from your favorite designer. Do you like it?

"Our families' big project is about to kick off. Just nudge your dad to sign off on it, okay? Once we nail this, I've got an even bigger surprise for you!" He was all hopeful eyes, expecting her to light up like she used to.

Back in the day, she would have danced around in joy over a rusty penny if it came from him. However, staring at earrings that were a dead ringer for the wedding band he slipped on Yvette's finger, they might as well have been thorns.

She did not reach for them, just held Adrian's gaze steady. "This isn't just any collection, is it? It's got wedding bands too, right?"

Adrian's face closed off, and he looked away, his voice tinged with annoyance. "You're starting this again. I'm swamped with the company, no time to even think about marriage.

"And hey, we're good, aren't we? Even without the rings and vows. So let's not rock the boat, not now," he said, his frown deepening, his eyes darting away, clearly done with the conversation.

Adrian had popped the question, and they had even set a date. However, he was saying he was not feeling the whole marriage thing?

Janice let out a derisive laugh and shoved the diamond earrings Adrian was trying to give her.

"Forget the wedding, then. Just don't come crying to me later."

The earrings disappeared into the plush carpet.

Adrian's face turned stormy with anger. "Janice, are you kidding me right now?

"All you do is dream up new ways to hassle me about getting hitched. Six years of non-stop nagging, and my ears are practically numb. Can't you just give me a moment's peace?"

The more he ranted, the hotter his anger flared. In a fit of rage, he grabbed a vase from the table and hurled it to the ground.

"I'm swamped with work, trying to keep the company afloat. Don't you see that? Our families' joint venture is stuck in the mud, and you're not lifting a finger to help. Instead, you sulk and play the jealousy card, expecting me to sweet-talk you!

"You've let me down big time!"

The vase exploded on impact, shards flying everywhere. One sliver zipped through the air and sliced a delicate line across Janice's neck.

That vase was a memory, a piece of their history. They had made it together at a pottery shop the morning after their first night. His hands had guided hers through the cool, wet clay, his warmth seeping into her skin, her cheeks flushing with a mix of shyness and excitement.

He had whispered to her, "We'll mold the clay together, intertwine our efforts. It'll be a symbol–you and me, forever entwined."

Then, Janice pressed her hand to her neck, blood welling up between her fingers.

However, the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in her heart as she watched the fragments of their love scattered across the floor.

Adrian, suddenly aware of what he had done, stepped forward, his anger dissolving into concern.

However, before he could reach her, the doorbell chimed.