Chapter 5

I did not explain.

In truth, that coat was a style my father had casually mentioned wanting a couple of days earlier. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and finding winter clothes that fit him had never been easy.

It was simply a coincidence. The man I had dinner with that day also happened to be tall.

Rachel, probably worried I had not heard, lightly tapped the screen with her fingertip.

The speakerphone switched on, and Adrian's cold voice filled the air. "Fine, Hayley. If you really want to use the guy from that dinner to provoke me, you don't have to put on a show in front of Rach."

The next second, his tone softened noticeably. "Rach, don't pay her any mind. I'll come pick you up."

The call ended. Rachel put her phone away and gave me an apologetic smile. "He has a bad temper. Don't take it to heart."

I said nothing. I simply took Kelsey's hand and turned to leave.

…

By the time we walked out of the mall, snow had already begun to fall. New Year's decorations lined the streets, their bright lights stretching into the distance.

Only then did I realize the year was truly coming to an end.

All those days that had worn me down again and again should end with it.

…

On New Year's Eve, there was a gathering. Outside the private room, I heard Adrian and Jeremy talking.

"What? Are you and Hayley fighting again?"

Adrian absently tapped at his phone. "Mm."

Jeremy sighed. "Is it really worth it? Hayley treats you so well."

"I know."

"When Rachel gave you the cold shoulder, you bought a standing-room ticket in the middle of the night just to chase after her and make things right. Can't you just—"

Before he could finish, Adrian lazily cut him off, "Are the two of them even comparable?"

That single sentence sent a chill straight through me.

The other guys quickly joined in.

"Exactly. No matter how pretty Hayley is, she's still the one throwing herself at him. Addy doesn't even have to coax her. He just has to wave a hand, and she comes running back with her tail wagging."

"Rach's different. She's proud. You have to treat her like she's something precious."

I turned to leave, but before I could take a step, the other woman at the center of the conversation suddenly spoke behind me.

"What a coincidence. Let's go in together."

Rachel slipped her arm through mine with practiced familiarity and guided me into the private room.

Everyone who knew the history between the three of us widened their eyes and instinctively looked toward Adrian.

He leaned back in the booth, his expression unreadable.

Once everyone had arrived, they started a game of truth or dare. Rachel lost the very first round.

"Truth. If your ex came back and asked to get back together, would you say yes?"

Like a proud swan, she deliberately glanced at Adrian. "Of course not. People should look forward, not backward."

Adrian did not react. The cold light overhead only made his features seem even more distant.

Partway through the game, I went to the restroom.

When I came out, Adrian was leaning against the hallway wall, talking on the phone.

He was speaking to his grandmother in dialect, his voice low and unhurried. "Mm, it's settled. I'll bring her home for the New Year.

"She's very well-behaved. Quiet and gentle. She might not be used to our local food, so make something mild when the time comes."

I stopped in my tracks. It sounded as though he was describing me, even though I had already told him I was not going.

Adrian glanced at me without expression and slipped his phone into his pocket. He was probably waiting for me to walk over and start the conversation myself.

I thought it over. There was still an ending we owed each other. It was better to say everything clearly.

Just then, Rachel's tearful voice rang out from inside the private room.

The man who had remained cold and composed all night immediately lost his composure.

He rushed inside and found her hand bleeding after she accidentally cut herself on the broken glass of a bottle.

His voice filled with urgency. "Come on. I'll take you to the hospital!"

I called after him calmly, "Adrian, I need to talk to you."

"Get out of my way!" he growled, glaring at me with open irritation. "Hayley, don't do this right now. I don't have time to waste on you. Whatever it is, it can wait."

The clock had just struck midnight.

Outside, brilliant fireworks exploded across the night sky.

I watched Adrian carry Rachel away without looking back even once.

[Happy New Year.]

[Congratulations. You finally found the girl you lost.]

[Let's end it here. There's no future for us.]

The messages disappeared into silence, like stones sinking into the sea.

I no longer cared whether Adrian ever read them.

I turned around and boarded a flight home alone.

…

A week later, Adrian suddenly seemed to remember I existed.

He removed me from his blacklist and sent me a screenshot of his flight itinerary to his hometown.

[I'll pick you up tomorrow afternoon. Don't be late. Hayley, where are you?]

In the middle of a busy day, I found a spare moment to glance at my phone and replied casually: [On a blind date.]