Chapter Two: The Blank Book of Vows

Cars moved through standing water behind his voice. “If it could be destroyed, you wouldn't have left it for yourself seven years ago.” “What were we to each other?” He did not answer. “Is the blue hydrangea still there?” Lin Wan turned to the last page. The flower was gone. From the bedroom, Xubai called, “Wanwan, where did you put our travel album?” “What trip?” He emerged carrying a dark blue album printed with Icelandic mountains. “Our trip to Iceland. You agreed to marry me there.” In every photograph, Lin Wan stood beside him. Beneath the northern lights, she wore her present ring and smiled. She had never been to Iceland. And far behind them in the crowd, Gu Chenzhou was staring into the camera.