The Spring She Grew Into

"Sean, I've made up my mind, I'm going to marry you!"

Janice Douglas played with her left hand's fingertips absentmindedly, her eyes locked on the swinging door of the nearby private room.

On the other end of the call, the man let out a low chuckle, warm yet laced with a cool, worldly detachment.

"Ms. Douglas, are you sure about this? Marrying into our families is a one-way street, no U-turns."

"I'm sure!" Janice did not even pause before she shot back, her voice slicing through any second thoughts.

"Fine, I'll be back in ten days. Pick me up at the airport, and we'll head straight to make it official."

Sean was all about getting to the point: no fuss, no muss, just like he always was.

The second she hung up, the room burst into cheers.

Janice's eyes snapped up to see Adrian Smith down on one knee, a fiery bouquet of roses in one hand and a diamond ring in the other, looking all lovey-dovey at the girl in front of him.

The girl was so moved by the gesture that she was almost crying, her hand over her mouth, nodding like crazy.

The room's bright lights made the diamond sparkle so much that it was blinding.

Janice could not have guessed it–not in a million years–that the guy who had been all sweet talk on the phone half an hour ago, saying he would be back soon, was then, right under her nose, proposing to someone else.

Back when she was eight, Adrian's family moved in next door.

The first time they met, he gave her a shy smile and a piece of candy, calling her "Janey" in his crisp little voice.

Ever since then, she had her very own shadow. Adrian was always there, carrying her books to school or jumping to her defense whenever she was upset.

Over time, the name "Addy" had become a part of her, growing deep within her heart.

She aced the SATs, outscoring Adrian by a mile, but without a second thought, she chose the same colleges he did.

She was not a fan of the dry northern climate, but the thought of being in the same city, in the same university as him, made it all seem worth it.

Their college days were a montage of sweet moments shared across the campus.

On a moonlit night at the playground, he wrapped her in his arms and promised her forever. Her heart brimmed with dreams of what was to come.

When Adrian decided to go abroad for further studies after graduation, it broke her heart, but she supported him all the way.

For the next two years, she juggled her job with caring for his mother, who struggled with anxiety.

She spent every weekend with the elderly lady, helping her through appointments with the psychologist, never once complaining.

Her friends teased her, saying she was saying she was a de facto daughter-in-law already. She would just smile, keeping to herself