It was not just these gifts that she wanted to get rid of.
"Rosie, are you upset over what happened last night? I was impatient and spoke harshly, but I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry." Edric's tone softened as he grasped her hand, apologizing.
Rosetta slowly pulled her hand away. The memory of their preference for Sierra the previous night surfaced once again and a sharp pang of pain stabbed at her chest. The weight of that betrayal only deepened her decision to leave.
"I'm not angry. It's just that things I no longer care for should be thrown away."
Elliot’s lingered on her. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "If you don't like them, then throw them away, but we can always choose something you'll like another time."
Edric nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, if you don't like it, just throw it away. We can always buy a new one for you."
Later that afternoon, after finishing her music practice, Rosetta received a call from Elliot. He invited her to the mall, suggesting that they take her shopping so she could pick out the gifts she actually liked.
Though Rosetta initially did not want to go, she hesitated. However, if she declined, she was worried that they might notice something was wrong. The decision to leave was already made, but she did not want any more troubles or complications before she left.
What she did not anticipate, however, was the sight that awaited her in the mall. It was not just Elliot and Edric standing there. There was also Sierra, who was standing between the Sinclair brothers.
They appeared to be engrossed in some cheerful conversation, their joy so palpable that it seemed as if no one else could belong at that moment with them.
Rosetta paused in her tracks, standing still as she watched them. It was Sierra who noticed her first and greeted her, "Rosetta, you're here."
Elliot and Edric turned their heads in unison.
"Come, let's see what you'd like," Elliot said first.
Edric added with a nod, "We're running low on a few things for the book arts, so feel free to look around. We can buy double copies of anything that catches your eye."
"Thank you, Edric," Sierra said in a soft voice.
At that moment, Rosetta could not help but let out a small laugh.
"What's so funny?" Elliot asked, noticing her reaction.
Rosetta quickly shook her head. “It’s nothing. Everything's pretty good."