Chapter 4

The first time the three of us had dinner together, I watched him refill Yvonne’s drink three times, prepare a full plate of beef for her, and passionately talk with her about their research projects.

The food on my own plate had already gone cold, but he did not notice.

On the way home that night, I could not hold it in anymore and asked, “Didn’t you take care of her a little too much tonight?”

He froze for a moment, then smiled.

“Yara, I’m only being nice to her because of you.

“She’s your best friend. If I don’t take care of her, who will? I can’t make you look bad, can I?”

It was all for my sake.

Those words became his all-purpose excuse.

Later, every time I spoke up, every time I tried to tell him, “I’m uncomfortable,” “You’re too close to her,” or “You remember her but forget me,” he used the same reason to shut me down.

“I’m only doing this because of you.

“She’s your best friend. I’m treating her well for your sake.

“Do you really want me to be cold toward your friend?”

Because he kept saying he did it “because of me,” Yvonne appeared more and more often in our conversations.

“Yvonne’s project turned out amazing today.

“Yvonne said that the new Japanese restaurant is good. Should we try it this weekend?

“Did you know Yvonne likes old movies too? She recommended three to me last night.

“Yara, Yvonne caught a cold recently. I dropped some medicine off for her since I was nearby.”

He had claimed to be nearby.

However, he lived on the east side of the city. The research institute was on the west side, and Yvonne lived in the south.

He had been “nearby” across three different districts just to bring her medicine.

In the beginning, whenever he talked about Yvonne, he would still look at me.

Later, it felt like he was simply telling me about his everyday life. He could not stop himself.

Eventually, he started remembering things about Yvonne.

He remembered that she did not like cilantro. He remembered that she hated the cold. He recalled her period cramps were so painful that she needed painkillers.

The things I once thought he was naturally bad at remembering suddenly became things he never forgot.

But he did forget about my mango allergy.

Yarden was still talking on the phone. “Just come over. The cake is already cut. You’re the only one missing. Don’t ruin everyone’s mood.”

“Yarden.”

I cut him off.

“Yeah?”

“I’m allergic to mangoes.”

The other end of the line went quiet.

“I…”

He hesitated. “I’ll get you another slice. They have strawberry cake too…”

“Strawberry is her favorite.”

He fell silent.

“Mango is your favorite. It’s the one you order the most.”

I said slowly, “But just now, you said that slice of cake was for me. You said you saved it for me.

“Yarden, the person you waited for all night... Who was it really? Me or her?”

I hung up.

The next morning, a message from Yarden popped up.

[Are you free at noon? Come try on some wedding dresses.]

[Yvonne picked the shop. She said you’d definitely like the styles.]

I stared at the message on my screen. My fingertips suddenly turned cold.

I had dreamed about that wedding dress since our first year together.

Whenever we passed a bridal shop while shopping, I would slow down. I had saved more than ten dress designs in my favorites. Before bed, I would look through them again and again.

I let out a mocking laugh and prepared to block him.

Another message came in.

[By the way, the engagement party is tomorrow. Don’t forget.]

[Yvonne said she hopes we’ll be alright. She said you two have been friends for so many years. Don’t let this ruin your friendship.]

[She cried again last night. She said she feels guilty and asked me to make sure you’re okay. Don’t disappoint her.]

My chest felt like someone had grabbed my heart and twisted it tightly.

Without hesitation, I blocked him.

The next day, I walked through the jet bridge at the airport and boarded the plane.

When the clouds covered the last rooftops below, I closed my eyes. I thought, ‘Goodbye, Yarden.’