Chapter 2

“I wanted to surprise you,” I said with a smile, lying smoothly.

In reality, I had only learned about it last week.

At that time, Claire had gone to Hangzhou under the excuse of accompanying her mother to see a doctor.

Later, I saw Ryan’s social‑media post. His location was pinned at West Lake in Hangzhou, and the timestamps matched perfectly.

Ryan gave me a meaningful look. “Mr. Carter, you really were young and accomplished. No wonder Clairy chose you.”

Clairy.

That familiar, intimate name felt like a thorn sinking into my chest.

Claire once told me that only the people closest to her were allowed to call her that.

During our first year together, she would blush and gently correct me every time I used it.

“Things like fate were hard to say.”

I picked up a piece of fish, removed the bones, and placed it onto Chloe’s plate.

“Just like Chloe and I. We clicked right away.”

Claire’s eyes narrowed slightly. That was her silent warning whenever she was displeased.

“That is enough, Adrian.”

She stared at me like she wanted to bore a hole straight through me.

Ryan frowned and reached out to smooth a stray strand of hair behind Claire’s ear, as though he was calming her down.

The gesture was so natural it felt like something repeated countless times before.

“Speaking of which,” Ryan said suddenly, turning to me, “Clairey and I had known each other for twenty‑three years. From the time she was a drooling toddler in split‑crotch pants to now…”

His gaze lingered on Claire.

“I witnessed every stage of her life.”

Chloe suddenly choked, and I quickly handed her a tissue.

The moment my hand touched her chin, she grabbed my wrist. Her grip was shockingly strong.

“Adrian.” Her voice trembled slightly. “I would like to go out on the balcony for some air.”

I knew it was not appropriate for me to go with her. Still, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ryan’s hand resting on Claire’s waist, and she made no attempt to move away. On impulse, I helped Chloe to her feet.

The balcony air was cool at night.

Chloe leaned against my shoulder. Her breath faintly smelled of alcohol.

My body stiffened. I was uncomfortable with her closeness.

“Do you know.” She suddenly spoke. “Claire and Ryan were once engaged.”

The words struck me like a punch.

Claire never mentioned it to me. During our three years together, she always told me I was the first person she had seriously considered marrying.

“When was this.” My voice was unnaturally calm.

“Five years ago.” Chloe tilted her head up at me. The moonlight made her eyes shine strangely bright.

“Before Ryan went abroad. They broke it off because of the long distance, but they stayed in touch ever since.”

My mind flashed to the thick stack of airline envelopes in Claire’s desk drawer. Whenever I asked, she said they were from a cousin studying overseas.

“Why are you telling me this.”

I studied her youthful face. She was only twenty‑two, five years younger than Claire, yet the calculation in her eyes far exceeded her age.

Chloe’s fingers slid up to my tie, lightly tugging it. “It is because I hate seeing you kept in the dark.”

Her voice lowered. “And I also hate seeing my sister have everything she wants.”

That sentence unlocked something in my memory.

Chloe had always accidentally ruined Claire’s lipstick. She also unintentionally wore Claire’s new clothes. Even at our engagement banquet, she slipped and spilled the red wine, ruining the dress Claire had carefully chosen.

“Take me home, please.” Chloe suddenly asked. “I am feeling a bit unwell.”