My First Love Only Needs Me for Practice

Every word landed like a blow to the gut. Sheldon Graham's heart stopped, and his mind went blank. "You're meeting a guy tomorrow? Then what am I to you?" he asked. Caroline Reed, Sheldon's childhood friend, was already up and getting dressed. At that, she glanced at Sheldon. "You? You're the guy I eat with, game with, and hook up with when we need to get off."A chill spread through Sheldon as the color drained from his face, and his lips began to quiver. Caroline's smile slowly faded as she studied his face. She leaned toward him, saying, "Wait. Don't tell me you actually thought we were dating all these years?"Her tone was teasing, and it struck Sheldon like a knife. He fought down the burning in his nose, but his voice came out choked. "W-What? Of course not. I'm going to take a shower."Then he scrambled to his feet and stumbled into the bathroom. As soon as the door closed, the strength drained from his body, and he sank to the floor. Caroline's words kept echoing

By late afternoon, the Reed family had arranged transportation for the trip to the restaurant. Sheldon, Caroline, and Oliver sat together in the back seat.The whole ride, Caroline sat between the two men and fussed over Oliver. She adjusted the air conditioning, got him a blanket and some water, and even peeled fruit for him. Sheldon sat to her left, watching her and Oliver chat away. Then, he quietly turned to look out the window. They were barely halfway there when the rain started coming down in sheets. The road was dark, and the car ahead had its high beams on. As they drove downhill, the glare momentarily blinded their driver. He couldn't make the turn in time and crashed straight into the guardrail. The moment danger struck, Caroline instinctively pulled Oliver into her arms to protect him. The windows shattered with a crash, sending glass flying everywhere. Sheldon, on the far side, was badly injured, and blood soaked through his clothes. Pain wracked his entire bo

Edmund and Helen were just about to speak when Sheldon cut in. "No one. You must've misheard."At that, both Edmund and Helen looked at him in surprise. Caroline didn't notice the puzzled looks her parents gave Sheldon. Instead, she pulled him along to the car. "Good thing you're here. You're done talking, right? Come with me. I want to take you somewhere."They drove in silence. Only when the car stopped did he realize she'd brought him to a luxury boutique.There, Caroline had the sales associates bring out stacks of clothes, shoes, and bags. Then she told Sheldon to try everything on, one item at a time. He frowned, confusion written across his face. "What am I trying all this on for?"But Caroline simply pushed him toward the fitting rooms. "Just try them on," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Sheldon started to protest, but the sales associates had already closed the door and begun unpacking the boxes. Each time he tried on an outfit, a sales associate

Halfway through the celebration, Caroline and Oliver announced that they were getting married. Only then did Sheldon realize that the party wasn't just for her birthday. It was an engagement party, too. The room erupted in applause as guests called out their congratulations. Sheldon sat alone in a corner and watched them kiss, all smiles. Yet, it didn't stir a thing in him. When the couple began making their rounds, Oliver approached with Caroline on his arm. He raised his glass with a smile and said, "Mr. Graham, you and Caroline go way back. Would you be my best man?""Sorry. I have plans that day. I won't be able to make it."Caroline's expression darkened at his blunt refusal. She shot him a cold look and said sharply, "It doesn't matter whether you come or not. Just send a gift."Sheldon nodded slightly. "Don't worry. I'll make sure to give you a very generous wedding gift," he replied evenly. He sounded so sincere that anyone would have thought he meant it. Carol

When Caroline immediately began blaming Sheldon without even learning the truth, the tearing pain in his heart finally reached its peak.Nonetheless, he held onto his composure and tried to explain what had happened."He hired some thugs to beat me up, and the fall was all a staged act. If you don't believe me, head to that private room. Those two thugs should still be there."However, Oliver panicked when he heard that. Eyes reddening, he said, "No, that's not it, Caroline! He insulted me first, calling me a bastard who interfered in your relationship, then he shoved me down the stairs. I didn't even do anything! How could he be so wicked as to slander me like that?"Between the two men, Caroline chose to believe Oliver without a second thought.She gathered him into her arms and took all her fury out on Sheldon. When she spoke, her voice was frosty."As if Oliver would ever do something like that! You pushed him down the stairs like a savage, and now, you're even accusing him o