Chapter 5: The Neighbor Boy’s Return

Ethan Mitchell had been my next-door neighbor forever—the brother I never had. He was the only one who didn’t treat me like I was made of glass. But he and Luke never got along.

Ethan always claimed Luke was out to get him. I sided with Luke, of course.

"You ungrateful girl!" Ethan would tease, poking my forehead. "If Luke ditches you, let’s see how hard you cry."

"He’d never leave me!" I’d argue, so sure I was right.

But now, it felt like a curse.

"When did you get back?" I demanded, snatching my pouch back.

"A few days ago." He plopped down, grabbed a cookie, then grinned. "Guess who I saw downtown today?"

I rolled my eyes.

He narrowed his gaze. "Are you not interested, or do you already know Luke and Sarah went to—"

"Ethan." I cut him off, voice brittle. "Luke doesn’t want me. He’s not going to marry me."

"How could he not—mmph!"

I stuffed a cookie in his mouth. He chewed, glaring, then shrugged it off.

"So where’d you get this monstrosity?"

I glared. After a pause, Ethan sighed. "Rachel, you’re not meant to be a housewife. Why not travel with me instead?"

"Have you run that by my dad?" I shot back. He went quiet, and I almost smiled. Leave it to Ethan to drag me back to earth.

Then, puffing up, he clutched the pouch to his chest. "If no one else wants it, I’ll treasure it forever!"

I tossed it to him. "Knock yourself out."

But as soon as I did, I felt someone’s gaze burning into me. I looked up, startled.

"L—Luke Brennan?"

He was standing at the gate, watching us, eyes locked on the pouch in Ethan’s hand. His jaw clenched. Then his gaze shifted to the medallion on the ground, a storm brewing in his eyes.

Ethan just smirked, dangling the pouch. "Back already? Won the grand prize for your sweetheart?"

Only then did I notice Luke carrying a carnival prize—a stuffed bear, premium quality.

Sarah rushed over, heels clacking, blocking the prize protectively. Like she thought I’d steal her happiness.

I almost laughed. Did she really think I cared anymore?

But I remembered an old incident.