A Rusted Love, A Life in Debt

The candied hawthorn shop in Flores City's old alley had just opened; the syrup was still bubbling in the pot. I held the bamboo skewer, threading bright red hawthorns, when familiar yet strange footsteps came from the door. Looking up, Even Shaw stood in the morning light, his suit crisp, the watch on his wrist catching the gleam—no longer the boy in a faded school uniform he once was. The woman linked to his arm was Tina Leslie—my stepsister. "Two skewers of candied hawthorns, please." Even Shaw's voice was low, his gaze lingering briefly on my face. I bowed my head, threading the hawthorns with a flat tone: "Fifteen a skewer, please scan to pay." He pulled an old coin from his pocket and placed it on the counter, its edges already worn. "Do you still remember this?" He rubbed the coin between his fingers. "This is the first skewer of candied hawthorns you treated me to back then. I still owe you one coin." My heart clenched sharply; it was a mark etched deep into my youth. "We don't accept cash anymore, especially old coins." I pushed his hand away, rejecting him coldly. At that moment, my son Michael ran out from the inner room, clutching my leg and shouting, "Mom, I want strawberry candied hawthorns." He looked up at Even Shaw, his eyes clear and pure—just like the young Even Shaw. Even's pupils suddenly contracted, his face instantly went pale. He stared at Michael for a long moment, lips moving but saying nothing. Tina laughed softly, linking her arm with his, her tone edged with teasing: "Oh, Cindy, look at you , living such a humble life now... and raising a fatherless kid all by yourself." "Tina." Even frowned sharply and scolded, but didn't pull away her hand. I picked up Michael, turning sideways to block his gaze. "Whether we live well or not, it's none of your business." Even Shaw fixed his gaze on Michael's eyes and brows, his Adam's apple moving as he swallowed, then finally took out his phone to scan and pay. He didn't take the coin but turned away with resolve, walking off with Tina. Michael pointed at the coin: "Mom, that man dropped a coin." I looked softly at the coin and said, "It's not ours, no need to pick it up."