CHAPTER : 17.3 Where Love Turns Crimson

Haru took Veronica's hand with a cheerful smile.

"Let's go! All our relatives are waiting. You didn't sleep well yesterday, did you?"

Veronica lowered her eyes.

"No, maybe," she mumbled.

Haru squeezed her cheeks and smiled.

"So let's go. You'll feel better.

Elizabeth did not follow them this time. Haru and Veronica climbed into the car, the drive filled with chatter, talk, and laughter from their cousins. Veronica, however, remained quiet, her mind reliving the uncomfortable night before the nearness of Elizabeth's closeness of her breath on her skin, those choking kisses that she could not avoid.

Why is she like that? Veronica asked herself. She doesn't get it… I am going to marry Haru. We vowed it to ourselves when we were young.

At last, they reached the beach.

"Here we are!" exclaimed Haru, whose eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. He turned to Veronica, who was visibly agitated, her thoughts elsewhere.

"What is it, dear?" he asked gently.

Veronica scowled. "What you told me…"

Haru froze, nervous. He hastily took her hand and yanked her towards the sea. Pushing her playfully, he said—

"Haruuuu! My clothes!" Veronica spluttered. "You know I detest wet clothes!"

Haru laughed and ran back, shrieking as she chased after him. Before long, they were both laughing, their fight forgotten.

They played a game of volleyball with their cousins, but lost miserably. Veronica hated losing, and for a moment, there flashed across her mind the desire to kill their cousins. But Haru grasped her hand.

"Don't. Please, don't."

Veronica shut her eyes and did as he asked.

Then came a water challenge—how long each team member could hold their breath under the water. Haru's team won, and Veronica applauded cheerfully, forgetting everything else for a moment.

Later on, they were lying side by side on the hot sand. Haru grinned.

"This sand feels like it was made for us."

Veronica glanced over at him, her expression unreadable.

Haru turned her chin slowly towards the sky. "Look, two clouds… they're just like us. Oh wow—see? They're kissing."

Veronica leaped up and punched him lightly in the eye. "Idiot!"

"Ow!" Haru complained, rubbing the bruise.

One of their cousins shouted, "Come on, let's go now!"

In the car, Haru's eye was already red and puffed up. When they got there, his mother caught sight of it right away.

"What happened to him?" she asked.

Veronica recounted, and Haru's mother giggled.

"You did the right thing, Veronica."

That night, Veronica returned home. She hugged her mother tightly, secretly praying nothing would occur to her parents. To her relief, all was well. After relating the day to her mother, they said goodnight.

"Good night, Mama. Good night, Papa."

At last, Veronica stepped inside her room. The mood was somber-heavier than it usually was.

"Eliz… Eliz, I'm sorry I didn't bring you along," Veronica whispered, hugging the doll tightly. She curled up on the bed, her eyes stinging from tears. "Sleep with me, okay? There's room this time. You know I can't sleep without you next to me… Eliz, where are you?"

Her voice was shaking as she started crying.

"Sorry. I do love you. but not that way. Forgive me. please Come."

Gradually, the atmosphere in the room returned to the normal. Elizabeth came and got into bed with her.

"Ow. my back," she whispered faintly.

Veronica gazed at her with relief and happiness. However, Elizabeth's eyes were an eerie faint red rather than their normal shade. She brushed away Veronica's tears tenderly.

"Don't cry. I'm with you all the time. Don't worry."

Veronica clung to her tightly, eventually falling asleep in her arms.

Elizabeth, though, remained awake. She brushed her lips over Veronica's forehead, then whispered into the darkness:

"Despite how much you love Haru… you will be mine."

She kissed Veronica gently on the lips, wrapped her close, and only then slept