chapter 5

I stood in the center of the venue where he was supposed to propose, still holding the photo in my hands.

Rose petals were scattered across the floor, as if someone had actually loved me with all their heart.

Too bad it was all fake.

The air was heavy with silence. No one dared to speak.

After a long pause, Ryan finally walked in, casually late.

He glanced around with a smile and said, “Why is everyone so quiet? Let’s cue the band already.”

One of his friends tilted their chin in my direction.

Ryan looked confused.

“What’s going on? Why are you all…”

His voice cut off the moment he saw me.

He stopped in his tracks, staring at the photo in my hands, frowning as he tried to make out the face.

A face that looked so much like his, smiling softly.

I still remembered how gently that man used to say my name.

Now, he lived on only in this photo.

Ryan’s tone dropped, sharp and tense. He glared at me.

“Claire, what the hell are you doing?”

I lifted my eyes.

“You don’t recognize him? That’s your brother.”

His face twisted instantly. He snapped, “Of course I know it’s my brother! I’m asking why the hell you’re holding his picture here!”

I stayed calm. “I…”

But he didn’t let me finish. He cut me off, voice rising, almost laughing from disbelief.

“Oh, I get it. It’s because of Isabelle, right? You’re mad I was with her, so now you’re pulling this stunt?

“How many times do I have to say it? Isabelle and I are just friends. You really had to go this far to throw a tantrum?

“I don’t know where the hell you got that photo, but do you even realize how messed up this is? That’s my family. Who gave you the right to use him like this just because you’re emotional?”

He yanked a small ring box out of his pocket and threw it at me.

It hit me in the face, leaving a sharp scratch on my cheek.

The room buzzed with whispers. Phones were already out, recording.

“Is she crazy? Bringing her boyfriend’s dead brother’s photo to a proposal?”

“She’s going to get roasted online.”

Isabelle stepped forward, eyes wide with fake concern.

“Claire, you really misunderstood. Nothing’s going on between Ryan and me. How could you do something like this?”

She grabbed Ryan’s arm, clinging to him.

“Let’s just go, Ryan. Don’t waste your time. She’s completely unhinged.”

Ryan gently pushed her off and turned back to me, his eyes burning red.

“And after all the time I spent planning this proposal! And after I picked out the ring so damn carefully! That’s how you repay me?! After everything we’ve been through, I never thought you were that kind of person!

“I seriously misread you!”

His voice rose higher and higher, his rage practically spilling out of him.

He looked like I’d truly betrayed him and thrown away all the love he’d given me.

But I knew the truth. They were the ones who planned to humiliate me today.

I waited until he was done shouting before I finally spoke, “That’s funny. I should be the one saying all that.”

Ryan stood there, breathing hard, staring at me in disbelief.

I let out a quiet laugh.

“Ryan, did you ever really love me? Were you actually planning to propose today?”

Something flickered in his eyes, but he kept frowning.

“What are you talking about?”

I shook my head and smiled, hollow and tired.

“Even now, you’re still pretending? You were never serious about me. Not from the beginning, were you?”