Chapter 1

I was momentarily stunned.

All I could do was awkwardly fumble around.

I didn't dare look at Leo, and after pushing him away, I grabbed my clothes from the floor and threw them on haphazardly.

"Chloe, look at me," Leo said, propping himself up on an elbow, his eyes full of amusement.

"You don't actually think we're, like, a couple, do you?"

The words "just a casual thing" echoed in my mind. My hands were shaking, and I couldn't get my bra clasp to fasten.

Leo threw back the covers, revealing his lean, toned abs, and half-knelt at the side of the bed.

He reached out, his fingers familiar as he did up the clasp for me.

I looked down and mumbled, "Who is she?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "Don't tell me you finally decided to ask someone out seriously?"

Looking at myself in the mirror, I could see the red marks scattered across my skin, my legs still aching.

Leo, wearing only grey sweatpants, came up behind me and buried his face in my neck.

"It's Layla."

He raised a brow with those striking hazel eyes and repeated,

"You know, Layla, from the art department, the one from college.

"Honestly, I'm kind of nervous to see her again."

My hand, holding my lipstick, froze. Of course, I remembered.

Leo had a crush on her. He never confessed, then heard that Layla had gone abroad.

I had thought that was all in the past…

Leo stared at me, pursing his lips. "Chloe, you better not be getting any weird ideas about me.

"We've known each other forever, practically grew up naked together. And even though you are… really pretty, I just see you as one of the guys.

"You're my best buddy for food, for rides, for… well, you know…"

I felt like I'd been hit by a train. My body went cold. I forced a weak smile as I looked at Leo's grin.Leo kept talking.

"Besides, I know exactly what you're going to wear. Even down to your underwear—I could probably guess the set you'd pick."

"Honestly? It's kind of boring."

"Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and see you sleeping next to me, and it actually freaks me out."

"I mean, what if we actually ended up getting married because of some stupid joke—just like our families used to tease us about?"

"Can you imagine? My whole life, over in the blink of an eye."

He gave an exaggerated shudder.

As if the mere thought was terrifying enough to make his skin crawl.

I dug my nails into my palm, clenching my fists so tight it hurt—desperate to keep the tears from falling.

"There are some other things to do so I need to leave first. I'm so sorry."

I threw on my coat and left in a hurry, stumbling out like a coward running from battle.

Chapter 2

I Thought Leo and I were in Love.

After all, we did everything a couple would do.

We ate together, went on dates, and joined friends for dinners. During truth-or-dare games, we would kiss without hesitation, boldly saying "I love you" in front of everyone.

On rainy days, Leo would always show up, umbrella in hand, waiting to drive me to and from work.

At family gatherings, beneath the dinner table, he would reach for my hand, his fingers curling around mine in secret.

I thought those little moments meant something.

I truly believed we love each other.

But I didn't know—what I believed to be a six-month relationship was nothing more than a game of make-believe.

"Chloe?"

A soft knock on my car window startled me. My mother's concerned face appeared through the glass, her brows furrowed.

I jolted back to reality.

In the rearview mirror, I caught sight of my tear-streaked face. Panicked, I wiped away the evidence, quickly composing myself before stepping out.

"Mom!"

Not wanting her to see the turmoil beneath my facade, I quickly wrapped my arms around her, plastering on my brightest smile..

"I missed you."

She was carrying grocery bags, but she still linked her arm through mine, exhaling as if relieved.

"Silly girl, why were you just sitting in the car instead of coming inside? You scared me! Haven't you heard those news stories? People passing out in their cars—it's dangerous!"

I nodded absently, barely absorbing her words.

Then, just as I thought the moment had passed, she hesitated, her tone shifting.

"Oh, Chloe… about Leo. His date is coming over soon."

My chest tightened.

"Apparently, his parents are really serious about this one. They said Leo planned everything himself, put a lot of thought into it. He even mentioned that having you there might make the girl feel more comfortable."

She trailed off, watching me carefully.

She didn't need to finish the sentence.

She knew.

She had always known.

The framed photos of Leo and me still sat on my nightstand.

Every gift he had given me, I had kept, stored away like treasures too precious to touch.

And my notebooks—pages upon pages filled with scribbled words, doodles, and quiet confessions of love I could never say aloud.

How could she not know?

But I smiled.

"Of course, Mom. Don't worry, I'll help keep the conversation going, make her feel welcome. I know what to do."

Her eyes filled with something unspoken—pity, worry, or maybe regret.

We walked home in silence.

Just as she reached for the door, I spoke, my voice light, almost too casual.

"Dad's retiring next month. Let's move to Florida."

She turned, startled.

I grinned, leaning into her shoulder like a child.

"You and Dad always talked about settling there for retirement, didn't you? I don't have any grand dreams. I can teach dance, stay close to you both. That's enough for me."

I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince—her or myself.

Chapter 3

Sitting in Leo's family home with my parents, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was different this time.

Every visit before had been filled with laughter, playful teasing, and whispered secrets. Just last time, we had used a game as an excuse to sneak off to his bedroom, where we kissed, breathless and eager, as if the world belonged only to us.

But today…

"Oh, Melanie, you wouldn't believe how much effort Leo put into winning over this girl, Layla."

"Why couldn't he just ask her out like a normal guy? No, he insisted that he'd only date her if marriage was on the table. He even had his father pull some strings just so she could meet the family today—as a potential fiancée."

I stared at the house, now decorated with such deliberate care. Roses filled the room in grand, fragrant arrangements. The dining table was lined with fresh fruit, sweets, and tea. Even Leo's dog had been dressed in a bright red sweater, as if to mark the occasion.

And there he was, standing in front of the mirror, adjusting his appearance for the hundredth time, making sure everything was perfect.

It was almost laughable.

Just last night, he had been in my bed, his hands tangled in my hair, his lips worshipping the red birthmark on my waist.

And now?

Now he was standing there, wearing the underwear I had bought for him, primping himself for someone else.

"What a shame…" Aunt Linda sighed, squeezing my mother's hand.

"We used to joke that these two would end up together, even made a childhood promise for them! Remember, we always said they'd be perfect for each other?"

She glanced at me, her eyes warm, affectionate.

"Chloe is such a wonderful girl—beautiful, smart, and so full of life…."

I lowered my gaze, biting the inside of my cheek.

If I met her eyes, if I let my guard down for even a second, I knew the tears would come.

"Mom!" Leo's voice was sharp, irritated.

His brows furrowed as he turned to Aunt Linda, his tone laced with impatience.

"You keep bringing up things from the past—things that don't matter. You and Mrs. Melanie get along so well, why don't you two get married instead? What does that have to do with me?"

His words cut through the air like a slap.

No regard for the elders in the room, no consideration for the weight of what had just been said.

Then, as if suddenly remembering my presence, he turned to me.

Cold. Detached.

As if Aunt Linda's words had been something I had orchestrated.

"Chloe. Where's the necklace I gave you?"

I stiffened.

Leo took a step forward, his voice unnervingly casual.

"You know, the pendant—the one I gave you for your birthday when we were seventeen? The one with my initials on it. Layla might feel uncomfortable if she finds out you still have it…"

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

Uncle Sullivan and my father, who had been sipping their tea, suddenly froze.

My mother, who had been arranging flowers for the table, stilled.

And then—clatter.

The vase and scissors slipped from her hands, crashing onto the wooden surface.

She moved to stand, her expression darkening, but Aunt Linda was faster.

She shot up, stepping between me and Leo, shoving him back with a force that stunned everyone.

"Leo! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Her voice was sharp, furious.

"Forget that you and Layla don't even have an official relationship yet—that necklace was something you begged Chloe to wear when you were seventeen!"

Leo's expression flickered.

The memories came flooding back.

Back then, another guy had confessed to me.

Leo had panicked, downed half a bottle of whiskey, and disappeared for hours.

That night, he had shown up at my window, drunk and desperate, holding a small velvet box in his hands.

He had clasped the delicate silver chain around my neck, his fingers trembling.

"Promise me you'll always wear it." His voice had been raw, almost pleading. "No matter what happens, I want you to have a part of me with you."

As if it meant something.

As if I had meant something.

Now, standing in the middle of the room, he loosened his tie and let out a slow, measured breath before forcing a smile.

"I got ahead of myself. I… shouldn't have reacted like that."

His gaze softened, almost indulgent, as if this were nothing more than a silly misunderstanding.

"It doesn't matter. Whatever I give someone, I don't take back. You can keep it."

I let out a quiet laugh.

"It's fine," I interrupted, my voice calm, emotionless.

"I'll return it. I'll go home and get it now."

No one spoke.

Before anyone could protest, I grabbed my bag and walked out the door without looking back