Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 742

Rebecca had a feeling the bracelet was meant for her.

But accepting jewelry from Vance? That would mean accepting a certain kind of relationship. She couldn't do that, even if this 17-year-old boy seemed different from the one she knew.

Sensing her hesitation, he simply grabbed her wrist and quickly fastened the bracelet around it. She tried to pull back, but he held on tightly.

"Don't move. This doesn't mean anything. It's just a belated birthday gift."

"Birthday gift?"

"Yeah. A bracelet engraved with your name. It can't be given to anyone else, and it can't be returned. If you had kept ignoring me, I'd have just had to leave it in the store for the staff to deal with."

He clicked the clasp shut. It was a delicate platinum bracelet. Not thick, it was set with tiny diamonds that sparkled brilliantly even in the dim light.

"Your name is right here," he said softly, his finger gently turning the clasp.

That excuse couldn't convince her. Even with names engraved on them, jewelry could be disposed of. They could be resold or recycled. It all depended on whether the holders were willing to let them go.

"Don't feel any pressure," he continued, still holding her wrist. "This is custom-made for your birthday. Jenny, Jethro, and Darren all have one. Theirs are different, but they're all mementos of the years we've spent together.

"These have been the darkest years of my life, but because you guys were by my side, they weren't completely bleak. Now we're seniors. Who knows whether we'll end up scattered across the world?

Suddenly, the hand wiping her tears moved to the back of her head and gently pulled her forward until her face was pressed against his chest.

His sigh echoed in the evening air. "How have you become such a crybaby lately? I was just saying that. It's not like we're definitely going to be apart. Who knows what the future holds? Anyway... I'll go anywhere you want me to."

Her face rested against his chest. His body smelled of the simple soap from their school days.

As a student, he hadn't used fancy grooming products yet. He was simple, clean, and honest. Against her ear, his heartbeat was strong and vibrant.

The summer clothes were thin, so her tears still soaked through his school uniform and wet the skin on his chest. His voice was filled with helplessness as he murmured, "What am I supposed to do with you?"