Chapter 2

When Chloe went to the restroom, the heavy wooden door shut.

The very next second, Brandon’s words rained down on me, heavy with anger and blame.

His face was a mask of frustration, and he made no effort to hide his irritation.

"Who are you throwing a tantrum for? It’s just a dinner! Is it really that hard for you to just sit here and be nice?"

"Chloe flew thousands of miles back just for our wedding. She’s finally home, and she just wanted some good comfort food."

"You and I eat together every single day. Haven't you had enough of me? Do you really have to ruin this one meal for her?"

A sharp, stabbing pain twisted in my stomach.

I had been running around all day finalizing our wedding venue, and I hadn't even had a sip of water. My stomach was burning.

"Then what am I supposed to eat?"

I couldn't stop the lump from rising in my throat.

"I’ve been working on our wedding details all day too. I haven't eaten a single bite."

"Even if you wanted to treat her to her favorite steak, couldn't you have ordered just one vegetarian dish for me?"

"In your eyes, do I only deserve the leftovers and free sides?"

My words hit a nerve, and his face flushed with embarrassment.

Just then, Chloe returned. Brandon and I were locked in a tense standoff, the air in the booth thick with hostility.

She quickly stepped in to play peacemaker.

"Hey, it’s just a dish."

"Let’s just order something else."

Right on cue, the waiter opened the door and brought in a plate of pasta.

Chloe saw it and laughed, trying to break the tension.

"Brandon, do you remember our junior year of high school?"

"You said you were saving up for something, but you wouldn't tell me what. You even asked your mom to advance your allowance for the next six months. For that half-year, you didn't even have enough money for lunch. I had to feed you out of my own allowance. Back then, we used to share a single bowl of cheap pasta every single day."

Brandon’s expression instantly softened as the memory washed over him.

"Yeah, I was so broke I only ate once a day. I almost starved. Thank god for your late-night pasta."

"Looking back, it’s hilarious. But seriously, what were you saving up for back then anyway?"

Brandon thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"I don't remember. Probably some sneakers or something. It’s not important now."

Chloe waved over the waiter.

"Let’s not talk about the past. Can we get a plain vegetarian pasta for Evelyn?"

The waiter pointed to the clock on the wall.

"I’m so sorry, miss. Our kitchen is closed, and we’re shutting down for the night."

"No need," Brandon spoke up, making the decision for me. "She’s not that hungry anyway. No need to add anything."

I didn't care about what he was saying. I just sat there, frozen, my mind stuck on the timeline Chloe had just mentioned.

I remembered now.

During our junior year of high school, my family refused to pay for me to attend the National Merit Summer Camp.

I was the top student in our entire grade.

Even our counselor said it was a tragedy for me to miss it.

Brandon found out. Two weeks later, he secretly paid my tuition.

I had no idea where he got that much money.

By the time I found out, I was already sitting on the bus heading to the camp.

But I never knew... I never knew that Chloe’s money was mixed in with it.

Back then, he had lost so much weight.

Yet, he was always stressing about making sure I ate enough, acting like it was an emergency if I lost even half a pound.

It turned out that the moments that had defined my life, the memories of Brandon’s love that I cherished the most...

All had the shadow of another woman over them.

Brandon was now gently guiding a slightly tipsy Chloe out of the restaurant, his hand carefully supporting her back.

When Chloe’s foot slipped and she fell into his chest, he caught her. A soft, tender smile spread across his face, his eyes filled with gentle affection.

I hadn't seen that look on him in a very long time.

He had loved me once, fiercely and sincerely.

The only problem was, I was the only one who still remembered it.

To Brandon, it was ancient history.