chapter 4

“Baby, I’m not coming back tonight. Isabelle’s feeling a little unwell.”

Ryan called me over video.

From the background, it looked like he was in a girl’s bedroom.

I opened my mouth to respond, but couldn’t stop coughing.

“Why are you coughing so much? Didn’t the meds help? I’ll take you to the doctor tomorrow.”

“Can’t you come today?”

Ryan clicked his tongue softly.

“Come on, Isabelle’s just a kid. Do you really need me to babysit you? Isn’t the housekeeper there?

“You’ve been acting off ever since you found out about her.

“What’s going on with you lately? Hormones or something?”

I coughed again and forced myself to speak, “She’s only a year younger than you. Are you seriously calling that a kid? Ryan, can you really look me in the eye and say there’s nothing going on between you two?”

To my surprise, it wasn’t Ryan who answered. It was Isabelle.

She appeared in the frame, sitting very close to him.

Wearing a thin camisole with flushed cheeks, she didn’t look sick at all.

“Claire, you’ve really misunderstood. Ryan and I grew up together. If something were meant to happen between us, it would’ve already. There was never a place for you.

“If you’re feeling that bad, I can ask Ryan to go back and take care of you. I’ll be fine here.”

Right. My boyfriend needed her permission to take care of me?

That tone… like I was the one intruding on their relationship.

The sickest part was how they clearly liked each other but kept pretending otherwise, dragging me into their twisted game while acting all innocent.

They got their fun. I lost five years of my life.

Ryan’s voice turned impatient.

“Enough with the drama. I’ll come back later, alright?”

He hung up before I could answer.

Right before the screen went dark, I heard stifled laughter.

I could already imagine it.

The two of them exchanging looks, smiling, plotting how to send Ryan back so he could keep playing along with the act.

Then came the day of the proposal.

Ryan said he had to head out early to set up the venue.

He also told me to dress up, to make sure I looked extra nice.

“Baby, trust me. Today’s going to be the most unforgettable day of your life.”

I gave a blank nod.

After he left, I went back to my own apartment.

At the top of my bookshelf, I pulled down an old box, untouched and covered in dust.

I carefully wiped it clean.

Inside was an old photo of Daniel, worn at the edges but still carefully kept.

He looked just like Ryan.

“Daniel…”

The moment I spoke his name, my voice cracked and rasped.

Tears streamed down my cheeks and wouldn’t stop.

“I miss you. I’m so sorry…

“Would you hate me for falling for someone else?

“I didn’t mean to. He just looked too much like you.

“But now I know. No one could ever replace you.

“I’m sorry…”

I cried until there was nothing left, then stood up shakily and slipped the photo into my bag.

I went to get my makeup done alone, put on the dress Daniel had loved most, and took a cab to the venue by myself.

Just as I reached the entrance, Ryan called.

“Baby, I got held up with some work stuff. I’ll be there soon.”

But I clearly heard Isabelle’s voice in the background.

He had left me here on purpose, probably hoping I’d stand there and be the opening act of their little joke.

I laughed at myself.

But it was fine. I hadn’t come to hear him propose anyway.

I stood at the entrance, opened my bag, and took out Daniel’s photo.

I held it up in front of me.

The crowd that had gathered fell into stunned silence.