Five People, Four Cups, One Who Walked Away Chapter 08

Five People, Four Cups, One Who Walked Away Chapter 08

I didn’t meet Mia alone. 

Saturday was the new center’s open house. 

All the parents who’d been waiting for the past two 

weeks showed up. The classrooms were packed. 

I was still busy that afternoon when Tyler burst 

into my office holding an assessment with a 

perfect score. 

“Ms. Bennett, Mom said if I got at least ninety, I 

could stay in the program.” 

He slapped the paper onto my desk. 

“I got a hundred.” 

Tyler’s mom followed him in, still giving him a hard 

time. 

“It’s one test. Don’t get a big head.” 

But then she turned to Dana and said, 

“We’re signing up for next term, too.” 

The other parents who had been holding off heard 

her and handed in their renewal forms. 

The bookkeeper finished tallying the numbers and 

signaled to me. 

This month’s refund rate had dropped from 40% to 

3%. 

Dana announced to everyone that I was officially taking over as the center’s manager. 

As the applause started, I saw four people outside 

the door. 

Cole held a bouquet. 

Ethan carried a fruit basket. 

Lily held a bag of cinnamon rolls. 

Mia stood at the back, holding a new mug. 

Cole walked in as if nothing had happened. 

“Congratulations.” 

“We all came. Let’s have dinner together tonight.” 

A teacher beside me asked with a smile, 

“Ms. Bennett, is this your boyfriend?” 

Cole started to nod, but I spoke first. 

“My ex.” 

The office fell silent. 

Cole’s expression darkened. 

“Nora, do you have to say that in front of other 

people?” 

“Which part isn’t true?” 

“We haven’t finished talking.” 

“I’m done talking.” 

Mia gave his sleeve a gentle tug. 

“Cole, don’t.” 

It was a tiny movement. 

But Cole turned immediately. 

“Don’t worry about this. You’ve only just gotten 

better. Sit down.” 

I watched them, and the last trace of feeling 

drained away. 

He had come to ask me to take him back. 

But if Mia so much as frowned, he still checked on 

her first. 

Some choices had become second nature long 

ago. 

Lily clearly saw it, too. Her face went pale. 

“Cole, let Nor finish.” 

Mia held the new mug out to me. 

“Nora, this is for you.” 

Five little figures were painted on it. 

She pressed her lips together. 

“We replaced the table with one that seats six, 

too.” 

“This time, there’s definitely a place for you.” 

I didn’t take it. 

“You think all I needed was a chair?” 

Mia’s hand hung in the air. 

Cole frowned. 

“Then what else do you want?” 

“We’ve all swallowed our pride.” 

“Do we all have to crawl at your feet and beg for forgiveness before you’re satisfied?” 

“Cole.” 

I looked at him. 

“See? You still think I’m throwing a tantrum.” 

“You waited for me once, bought a mug, and 

replaced the table. Now you expect a clean slate.” 

“Why should I give you one?” 

Ethan caught his arm. 

“Stop talking.” 

“Why can’t I?” 

Cole’s eyes reddened. 

“She says we’re done, then just walks away. I don’t 

even get a chance to make things right.” 

I nodded. 

“You had chances.” 

“When I messaged you that I’d be home by 9:40, 

that was one.” 

“When I called you because my stomach hurt, that 

was another.” 

“When my things got dumped outside my room 

and I asked why you hadn’t moved your sneakers, 

that was another.” 

“But every time, you took the easy way out.” 

“Because you were sure I’d never leave.” 

Cole fell completely silent. 

Suddenly, Mia pulled the mug back. 

“Nora.” 

“When I bought those four mugs, it wasn’t that I 

forgot yours.” 

She lifted her head, her eyes bright red. 

“I left you out on purpose.”