Page 13 of New Growth
Politely, I excused myself from a conversation with one of Johnathan’s aunts and slipped out of the main hall.
The hallway outside was a quiet retreat from the laughter and music. I kicked off my heels to rest my soles and walked slowly on the carpet, letting the silence soothe my nerves.
Daddy would’ve been miserable here. I know it.
After about two conversations with Johnathan’s family members, he would be on his way to the bar with me hot on his tail to stop him.
“This is the most boring party ever, Elliot. Why do you even like these people?”he’d ask as he looked around at the plump faces of the drunk and happy with disgust. He liked Johnathan enough, but his family was a different story.
With a small chuckle, I’d answer, “Daddy, they’re gonna be our family soon, play nice.”
Then, he’d suck air through his teeth with annoyance and loop his hand in mine to be carried away from the alcohol.
“You’re my family, and that’s enough,”he’d whisper as we rejoined the masses.
Daddy wasn’t a fan of crowds, and the man was dead set on not meeting new people. He’d be polite when needed to, but never by choice and never for too long. He’d excuse himself and wander the halls alone, just like I was doing.
It still amazed me that people moved on as if life itself weren’t uprooted. The idea that my father’s death didn’t completely change theworld and stop the passage of time rattled me. I tried my best to ignore the endless reminders that life was moving on whether I was ready or not.
The plush carpet muted my footsteps, and the faint hum of air conditioning filled the space. Wall lamps cast a soft, golden glow, highlighting framed photos of other lavish events that had likely taken place here—smiling couples, champagne toasts, picture-perfect moments frozen in time. I wondered if Johnathan and I would be added to this display.
Further down the hall, the chatters of the dining room were replaced by the chatters of the staff in the nearby kitchen.
I needed the space, so I ventured further.
That’s when I heard a muffled voice coming from one of the many break rooms. At first, I didn’t think anything of it. The venue was huge, and there were plenty of places for guests to wander off to. But then I heard the voice again and froze.
“We said no more, Johnathan. Seriously, today was a mistake.”
I knew that voice.
My heart stuttered, and a sick feeling settled in my stomach. I stepped closer to the door, pressing my ear against it to hear clearly.
“You don’t think I know, Ry?” Johnathan’s voice came next, quiet but desperate. “I feel guilty about this whole thing. Elliot has been through so much, and she’s still so raw about Elijah. I don’t want to put her through more.”
There was a pause, a breath between them as objects moved around and settled. I leaned in closer to see if I could discover more. Jonathan’s voice broke their shared silence, “But now, I can’t stay away from you.”
My breath caught, and I couldn’t move. The words didn’t make sense.
Johnathan and Ryan? No. Not at my fucking engagement party, of all places.
They wouldn’t.
I pushed the door open to silence all suspicions and confirm their innocence.
The room was dimly lit, and near the small sitting area, Ryan stood in front of Johnathan. The first thing I noticed was that they weren’t far enough apart. Her hands were pressed against his chest as if to hold him back, while his hands rested on her waist, his fingers gripping the fabric of her dress with urgency. His pants were unbuttoned, his shirt disheveled, and his face stained with red lipstick.
They both turned at the sound of my heels slipping from my hand and hitting the floor. For a moment, no one said anything. They pulled away from each other slowly, all under my shocked gaze.
“Oh, you two are not serious right now,” I reprimanded. “Here? Of all places?”
“Elliot,” Ryan tried. Her face flushed deep red, but there was no apology in her eyes. “Fuck. It’s not what you think.”
“Really?” I snapped a sharp, bitter sound that didn’t feel like it came from me. “So you’re not fucking my fiancé at my engagement party?”
Johnathan’s face went pale, his mouth opening and closing as if searching for the right words. “Elliot, I—this isn’t—”
“Don’t,” I said, my voice trembling. “Don’t you dare try to explain this.”
