When Winter Comes

Her voice was quiet, almost wistful, the words snatched away by the breeze. She watched the koi scramble for the food, their frantic beauty mesmerizing.

The koi quickly gathered to fight for the food, then scattered again.

She tossed another pellet, murmuring, “Doesn’t like me…”

This time, the words were softer, resignation coloring her tone. The koi gathered again, oblivious to her mood, their hunger the only thing that mattered.

The koi gathered again to snatch it.

She kept tossing fish food all afternoon. By dusk, there was only one pellet left in the box.

The sun dipped low, painting the pond in gold and pink. Lillian stared at the last pellet, weighing it in her palm like it held all the answers she needed.

She picked up the last pellet and threw it into the pond, sulking, “Doesn’t like me!”

She hurled the pellet, the words sharp and bitter. The koi surged forward, then scattered, leaving ripples that faded into nothing.

Charles had been following her, both amused and helpless. “Miss Hayes, that doesn’t count.”

He stood a few paces behind, arms crossed, a smile tugging at his lips. His tone was gentle, teasing in the way only an old friend could be.

Lillian whispered, “What do you mean it doesn’t count? He just doesn’t like me. I even crawled into his bed and he actually…”

Her voice trailed off, cheeks burning. She stared at the water, not daring to meet Charles’s eyes.

Charles didn’t catch it. “What did you say, Miss Hayes?”

He leaned in, brow furrowed, genuinely confused. Lillian shook her head, unwilling to repeat herself.

Lillian sulked and turned to him. “Do you know which women Victor used to date?”

She fixed him with a look, tone sharp with curiosity and accusation. Charles shifted uncomfortably, glancing away.

Charles bowed his head, not daring to speak.

He shuffled his feet, the silence stretching between them. Lillian tapped her fingers, waiting.

Lillian continued, “Except for Emily—Emily reads self-help books every day, she doesn’t count.”

She rolled her eyes, voice laced with sarcasm. Everyone knew Emily and her endless pile of self-help guides.

Charles exclaimed, “Miss Hayes, Victor only cares about you!”

He blurted it out, sincerity clear in his voice. He looked up, eyes wide, as if hoping she’d believe him.

Lillian tossed a pebble into the pond. “Don’t lie to my face. I’m not asking who he likes, I’m asking whose number he used to call!”

She flicked the pebble, frustration bubbling over. The ripples spread, echoing her mood.

Charles’s legs went weak, but he still didn’t answer.

He hesitated, glancing over his shoulder as if hoping for rescue. The koi circled lazily, oblivious to the human drama.

Lillian pointed at the koi in the pond. “Say it, or I’ll toss you in to feed the fish.”