Chapter 3

Colin's POV

Vera had a bright red mark on her neck when she and Steve came back.

A hint of panic flickered in her eyes when she noticed my gaze. She hastily covered the mark and tried to explain herself, saying, "There was a mosquito in the store…"

Steve nodded with flushed cheeks. "There really was a mosquito, Colin. Don't tell me that you're suspecting me?"

I shook my head and said, "It probably was a mosquito. After all, it's a beast that likes to sting people."

The color drained from their faces upon hearing my words.

"Excuse me. I'm going to leave the car to smoke."

Vera and Steve stood about ten feet away from the car.

Vera had a panicked expression on her face as she warily asked Steve, "Do you think that Colin has noticed that something's amiss?"

"That's impossible," Steve answered while stubbing out his cigarette. "He loves you so much. He'll forgive you even if he finds out. I know him better than anyone else. He's stubborn on the surface, but he's soft-hearted.

"When I told him that I was heartbroken a few years ago, he skipped his finals and went drinking with me until he developed a stomach ulcer. I didn't want things to end up like this, but I had no other choice after I met you."

Steve's words were too moving.

Vera couldn't take it, and a flush spread from her face to her neck.

I quietly watched them through the car window.

Steve's silhouette was taller than Vera's. The sunlight elongated their shadows.

The two people who I loved the most were also the ones who hurt me the most.

I had spent so many years trying to please them, but it was time for me to wake up from my dream.

I looked down and called Willow Bastings, who worked at my company's HR department.

"Didn't you say that you want to give me a wedding present, Willow?" I asked. "I want Steve to be fired."

Steve couldn't find a job because he had failed his classes and was forced to delay his graduation.

I was the one who did everything that I could to secure a position for him in my family's company.

He was promoted from receptionist to chief engineer in the short span of three years. His annual salary increased from 20 thousand dollars to 200 thousand dollars.

I had a hand in all his promotions, but I kept my involvement a secret because I didn't want to hurt his pride. Instead, I praised him, telling him that he had earned all those promotions through his own efforts.

It was time for things to return to their actual course.

Steve finished smoking his cigarette.

Perhaps Vera felt a little guilty. Shockingly, she offered a canned coffee to me after she got into the car, saying, "I got this for you when I was buying the soda. I know that you don't like sweet things."

I didn't accept the drink.

She looked a little impatient as she waved the can and said, "Stop dragging things out. We're going to be late."

I didn't respond.

"Are you that mad just because I bought cake and soda for Steve?" she demanded. "He's your best friend. Why would you get jealous because of him?"

Vera was always exceptionally harsh on me. She never spoke to Steve like that.

"I worked myself to the bone for the last few days because of the wedding, honey," she said. "Can you be a little more understanding? Don't force me to deal with your moods even on my happy day."

I nodded and swallowed the words that were on the tip of my tongue.

"Thank you," I said.

A wave of relief washed over Vera despite my polite but distant tone. She looked utterly untroubled as she listened to rock music and chatted with Steve until we reached the entrance of the church, failing to notice a black Maybach parked next to the church's side entrance.

Although the Maybach wasn't particularly conspicuous, it should have been familiar to her.

Unfortunately, Vera's attention was completely monopolized by Steve. She didn't care about the details that were related to me.

"What's wrong, Vera?" Steve asked.

"The wedding dress is too long," Vera answered with a pout, looking troubled. "I keep tripping over it."

The moment the words left her lips, Steve picked Vera up before I could even move. "I'll carry her to the dressing room since she keeps tripping over her dress. You can join us later."

With that said, he entered the elevator straightaway.