The birds were singing, the sky was relatively clear for a summer day in London, and the mindless chatter of passersby drifted on the slight breeze and floated around Tessa and Jem. It was an overall beautiful day - but not for them.
James's knuckles around his still full tea cup faded, paler than his usual complexion. His hand shook, and the hot liquid splashed over the rim, spilling down onto his hands. Tessa gasped, reaching out, "Jian," she breathed, but pulled back as Jem flinched. She lowered her hand, and suddenly she felt the urge to cry. "James, I am so so sorry. You don't know how… I can't…" Tessa's voice trailed off weakly, and she stared at the edges of the setting sun in defeat, her lower lip trembling.
"Do you love him?" Jem asked after a while. He sounded, if nothing else, tired, but most of all, hurt. Tessa took a deep breath, then tried to meet his eyes. But he wouldn't look at her. "Yes," she answered confidently. "I do."
Another long while passed before he nodded curtly once, finished the rest of his tea, then stood. Stiffly, he offered Tessa his arm, and she took it hesitantly. "It's best we get to the Institute," he told her, staring stonily at her hand on his arm. "Call off the wedding."
"Oh, Jian," she murmured, but he didn't respond, and they walked back in silence.