Chapter 3

Two days later, I was wrapping up the last of my work handover.

Just like always, Emerald walked over to my desk and affectionately linked her arm through mine.

"Ensley, my name's still on this project, right? We're best friends. What's yours is mine. If I ever get a project of my own in the future, I'll make sure to include you too."

After graduation, Emerald and I joined the same company. I'd taken her under my wing, leading her through one project after another. Even when she hadn't contributed a thing, I still added her name to the final project credits.

But this time, I didn't feel like being so generous.

After brushing Emerald off, I moved her name below mine on the project roster. Once I left for my transfer, the final wrap-up report for the project would fall to her.

Not long after Emerald left, I got a call from the wedding venue coordinator.

"Ms. Keller, your wedding rehearsal was scheduled for two o'clock this afternoon. Neither you nor Mr. Lewis has arrived. Do you need to postpone it?"

I took a deep breath as I held the phone.

"There's no need to. Please cancel the venue reservation."

The person on the other end fell silent for two seconds before responding cautiously and hanging up.

Lowering my gaze, I looked at the ring on my left ring finger.

If there wasn't going to be a wedding venue, there was no reason to keep the ring, either.

When I got home, I found the receipt for the ring and headed to the jewelry store.

The moment I walked in, I spotted two familiar figures standing at the display counter.

Bridger was slipping an emerald ring the sales associate had handed him onto Emerald's left ring finger.

"Look at this. Doesn't it look a lot like the one you liked during our trip?"

Emerald held up her hand, admiring the ring as it caught the light. Her eyes sparkled with delight. "You actually remembered? I'd already forgotten about it. Not bad, Bridger. You're really sparing no expense to win me over before marrying Ensley."

Bridger laughed. "Then you'd better be completely on my side. On the wedding day, I need you watching everything for me, so Ensley doesn't think I'm not paying attention."

"Don't worry. I'll definitely be on your side." Twirling the ring on her finger, Emerald looked up at him. "If you make her mad again, I'll help talk her into forgiving you."

I stood three steps behind them, listening to every word.

My stomach churned.

Using my name as an excuse to do something that crossed every line. It was disgusting.

Bridger noticed me and froze. "Ensley? What are you doing here?"

I looked straight at him. "Bridger, do you remember what day it is today?"

He frowned and stared at me for a couple of seconds.

"What day?" His voice carried a hint of impatience. "Can you stop talking in riddles?"

Just as I'd expected, he'd forgotten again. If he could forget the wedding rehearsal, he'd probably forget the wedding date too.

Emerald stepped in at just the right moment and took hold of my arm. "Ensley, don't be like this. Bridger's memory is terrible. You know that..."

As she spoke, she gently guided me a step to the side. Then she stumbled.

"Ah!"

Her forehead slammed into the corner of the display counter.

Covering her forehead with one hand, she let out a cry. A thin line of blood seeped between her fingers, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

Bridger immediately rushed over and grabbed her by the shoulders.

With his other hand, he carefully pulled her fingers away to inspect the wound, panic written all over his face.

"Are you okay? Where did you hit yourself? Does it hurt?"

Then he turned to me. The irritation in his eyes had already turned into anger.

"Ensley, why did you push her?"

Emerald hurried to speak, "It was my fault. Don't blame Ensley. I just lost my footing..."

I stood where I was, watching Emerald lean weakly against Bridger's chest as she quietly sobbed. She was nothing like the Emerald I'd known for more than ten years.

When had we become like this?

"I didn't push her."

"You were standing right next to her. If it wasn't you, then who was it?" Bridger's voice rose, drawing the attention of several customers nearby. "Do you have any idea how well Emerald has treated you? Is this really how you're going to repay her?"

More and more people gathered to watch.

Every word Bridger spoke felt like a physical blow, leaving my face burning with embarrassment.

Bridger and I had been together since graduating from high school. It had been nearly ten years. Back then, it was Emerald who had helped him confess his feelings to me.

At the time, I'd thought I'd found both love and lifelong friendship. I believed there was nothing left to regret in my life.

Looking back now, my life was full of regrets.

Emerald tugged gently at Bridger's sleeve, her voice weak. "Bridger, I'm fine. You're not allowed to blame Ensley..."

"You're still defending her?" Looking at the wound on her forehead, his voice was filled with both anger and concern. "You're bleeding. I'm taking you to the hospital."

As Bridger turned to leave with Emerald in his arms, I took out my ring box and placed it in front of the sales associate, who had been silently watching the entire scene.

"Hi. I'd like to return this engagement ring."