Chapter 1 Those Buried by Maple Leaves

Late autumn, golden maple leaves blanketed the courtyard. I stood alone under the maple tree, clutching a box filled with eighteen years of memories with him. Soon, I'd bury it all under the tree, along with my love for him.

Ronan Hanks and Helen Hanks watched from the second-floor window, their hearts heavy. Ronan's anger flared, "I'm going to confront them! How dare they humiliate our daughter like this?"

Helen, struggling to stay calm, stopped Ronan from storming out. The people he referred to were once close friends, but now the two families were at odds.

"We can just cut ties with the Pitt family!"

"But how can we break a bond that has lasted for so many years? We've watched Daniel grow up..." Helen murmured, feeling torn.

I opened the box and looked at each item, memories flooding back.

A triangular Lego piece from when Daniel and I built a pyramid at age four. He gave me the piece symbolizing the pyramid's peak, and I couldn't sleep that night, too excited.

I had a medal from a school race Daniel won at age ten. I remember his bloody knees as he crossed the finish line, and I felt so sorry for him.

There were more items: a school eraser, exchanged pens, and a tennis ball from a tournament win.

All these cherished things and the boy I treasured would be sealed away this autumn.

It all started with that promise!

If I could, I'd wish that hopeless waiting had never come.

Eighteen years ago, Ronan and Helen settled here and met the Pitt family. Both families had similar backgrounds, and Helen quickly became close with Emma Pitt. They were both pregnant and made a pact: if one had a boy and the other a girl, they'd arrange a marriage.

The girl was me, and the boy was Daniel.

I learned about this promise from Helen.

I couldn't tell if it was love or the idea of the promise that made me fall for Daniel as I grew up.

I fantasized about the promise being fulfilled.

But things didn't go as I wished.

The Hanks and Pitt families became close, almost like a real family. Family gatherings were frequent, just a short walk away.

Before one gathering, Helen teased me, "Jane, you like Daniel, don't you?"

I blushed, "Mom, don't say that!"

I started eating grapes to avoid her gaze, the juice staining my white collar. Helen always scolded me for my messy eating.

She shook her head, "With your carefree personality, I wonder if Daniel would even like you."

In hindsight, her words were prophetic.

I wasn't the virtuous girl my parents spoke of, and I knew it.

But I always thought, 'Daniel treats me well and tells me to be myself. He must like me for who I am.'

At 18, it was hard to tell polite compliments from genuine feelings.

I got up, "Mom, the grape juice got on my clothes. I'm going to change!"

"Hurry up, the Pitt family will be here soon."

As I unzipped my dress, I heard the voice that made my heart race outside the door.

"Mr. Hanks, Mrs. Hanks, hello!"

"Hello, Daniel! Come in!" Helen greeted warmly.

Daniel Pitt! A name that haunted my dreams!