Chapter 1

Because she loved Sebastian, Melanie had for years put up with it.

As it turned out, there were times Kylie was simply upset after being scolded by her boss over a minor mistake at work.

Other times, she just felt like crying after hearing a melancholy song.

Melanie had been jealous and had lost her temper before.

Yet Sebastian would always tell her with total gravity: “Melanie, Kylie and I have known each other for fifteen years. She’s just a very close friend, my best friend I’d say. She has depression and could hurt herself at any moment. Can’t you be a little more tolerant?”

But she had already been tolerant enough.

This time, she was truly exhausted.

“Mom, Dad, I’ll go check on him. You go ahead with dinner.”

A heavy shower had begun pouring outside. Melanie hadn’t brought an umbrella, and she didn’t feel like going back inside to grab one.

Braving the rain, she hailed a cab home, only to be greeted with a horrendous sight.

On the sofa, Sebastian was lying tangled in an embrace with Kylie.

His hand was lightly patting her back, lulling, affectionate.

The gesture was painfully reminiscent of the way Sebastian used to comfort her.

Her body was soaked through by the rain, and a bitter chill seeped through her heart, spreading aross her body to her every limb.

Melanie didn’t know how to describe what she was witnessing.

She finally understood that among the three of them, she was the outsider who could never squeeze her way in.

Since that was the case, it would be best for her to step back.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before Kylie noticed her, instantly wriggling out of Sebastian’s arms.

Dressed in Melanie’s pajamas, her voice sounded soft and laced with a hint of guilt.

“I’m so sorry, Melanie. I only just found out today was the day Sebastian was supposed to meet your parents. I’m sorry, I had another episode. I told Sebastian to go home, but he was worried about leaving me alone, so here we are.”

Melanie stood rooted to the spot, calmly asking, “Why are you wearing my pajamas? And what were you two doing just now?”