Chapter 3

After he hung up, Evan walked out of the villa into the pouring rain. The place was so remote that no matter how many times he tried, he just couldn't get a cab.

He dragged his suitcase along the road for what felt like forever before he finally came across a cab. Once he got in, the driver glanced at him in the rearview mirror, worried. "Kid, it's this late, and you're walking around out here? Aren't you afraid something might happen? You gotta watch yourself when you're out alone."

The emotions Evan had been barely holding back finally crashed over him. He buried his face in his hands and broke down. Five years together, and in the end he still couldn't compete with a childhood friend.

"Where are you headed, kid?" the driver asked.

Evan couldn't answer. For a moment, he genuinely didn't know where he could even go. He couldn't go back to his parents' place right now. He knew that showing up like this would only make them worry.

He thought of his best friend, Colin Lane. "Take me to Montesso Residences, please."

"Got it."

By the time they pulled up at the complex gate, Colin was already waiting there with an umbrella. He frowned when he saw Evan soaked to the bone and dragging a suitcase. "What the hell happened to you? How'd you end up like this?"

"I broke up with Queenie."

"Huh?" Colin was taken aback. "That bad? You two have been together for five years, and it's over just like that? Why?"

"I'll tell you inside."

After Evan showered, Colin brought him a glass of hot water. "Drink this and warm up a bit. You don't wanna catch a cold."

Evan was so moved that he pulled him into a hug. "Thanks, man. I'm really lucky to have you."

"No biggie. Don't be so sappy. Honestly, Queenie's been pretty good to you. I'm sure that guy you saw her with really is just a friend."

Evan shook his head. "You don't get it."

"Yeah, I don't. But hey—I'm your friend, and I'll always take your side. It's late, so try to get some sleep."

Evan lay in bed for a long time. His head was spinning, and he felt awful. In a daze, he heard voices right by his ear.

"Hey, you're here. Queenie, what the hell? How could you let Evan catch you two in each other's arms like that? If you're gonna cuddle, at least be careful. He was bound to find out sooner or later with you two doing it out in the open like that!"

It was Colin's voice. What was he talking about? Bound to find out what?

Queenie sighed. "I got impatient. Joel was in a bad place, and I just wanted to comfort him. I didn't think Evan would come home right then."

Joel kept his head down. "I'm sorry, Queenie. Maybe we should just stop this. I really don't wanna be the other man. I don't want everyone to be hurting like this."

"Don't talk like that," Colin said, trying to comfort him. "You're sick. You can't always control yourself. And come on—you and Queenie have been together for over a year now. Are you really willing to walk away just like that?"

Evan went rigid. For a second, he wondered if he was hearing things.

Queenie and Joel were actually together? And for over a year? Colin knew, and he'd been helping them hide it from him?

Evan had known Colin for almost 20 years. Colin had always been Evan's best friend, the first person he thought of whenever something went wrong. And he'd been lying to Evan this whole time.

Evan slowly opened his eyes. "Colin… so you betrayed me, too?"

"Evan, I can explain!" Colin panicked when he realized that Evan was awake. "We kept it from you because we were afraid you couldn't handle it. You know Joel's depressed. He can't handle aggravation. Look, it's been over a year, and you never suspected a thing. Just… just pretend you still don't know."

Evan laughed. "Joel, you're disgusting. I can't believe you had the nerve to say you're not a homewrecker. You make me sick, too, Queenie. You knew he was the other man, and you still made me apologize to him!"

"Evan…" Queenie's heart ached when she saw his eyes redden. "I never meant to lie to you. Joel told me he'd liked me for a long time, and he only asked to be by my side. He didn't want anything else. He's sick, and I can't just abandon him. Can you understand that?

"Look, don't worry about it. You're the one I love most. We're getting married next month, remember? If you're willing, the wedding will go on as planned. You'll always be my husband."

Evan lifted a hand and pointed straight at Joel. "Fine. We can get married as long as you promise you'll never see Joel again."