Chapter 2

Ignoring Caitlyn's shouting, I walked out first. My phone kept chiming nonstop.

The sound mixed with the rain outside the taxi. Each chime hit like a hammer, shattering the strength I'd been barely holding onto.

Years ago, Caitlyn's grandmother, Agnes Harp, had given the McWherther family a huge sum of money that saved us from bankruptcy. Ever since I was little, I'd known I had to repay Caitlyn.

So in the years Caitlyn pushed me away, I always put on a smile and moved close to her. "I'm not leaving. I promised Grandma Agnes I'd always stay by your side."

But now, I couldn't go on anymore.

Caitlyn: [Charles, I've already explained. What more do you want?]

Caitlyn: [Stop being mad, okay? Didn't you always want to get married? Let's go get our marriage license at the courthouse tomorrow.]

Bitterness hit faster than any other emotion. My eyes welled up instantly.

Actually, over the last few years, Caitlyn's autism had fully healed. She could see patients and perform surgery. She'd bury her hot breath against my neck in the middle of the night, and she even bought me gifts.

It felt like I was finally getting something back. So I kept pestering her about getting married.

Caitlyn had said, "Let's wait a little longer. The Harps are a family of doctors. I want to become the top cardiac surgeon, just like my father.

"I made department chief this year. I'm swamped. Who has time to plan a wedding? We'll talk about it next year."

She'd even shaken my shoulders, as if I were hopeless. "Scott's your childhood friend. He's devoted to advancing his studies and research so he can make his mark in medicine. Why is marriage the only thing on your mind?"

Back then, I didn't think there was anything wrong with two people who'd never gotten along suddenly admiring each other. I even foolishly told her, "Scott doesn't come from money. Look out for him for me."

She didn't agree at the time. But privately, she'd taken care of him in every way possible.

In just two years, Scott not only climbed the ranks quickly, but also bought property in Baird City's pricey commercial district. I'd even brought a bottle of wine and dragged Caitlyn along to his place to congratulate him.

Stupid. So stupid!

I scrubbed hard at my face, trying to wipe away my tears along with every memory of those years, bit by bit.

Then I texted Agnes: [Grandma Agnes, I've repaid what I owed the Harps. I'm breaking up with Caitlyn.]

When I got home, Caitlyn was sitting on the couch. A diamond ring sat beside her.

Our eyes met. She stood and sighed softly.

"Charles, Scott's at a critical point in his promotion review. Let's get our marriage license right away. I even have the ring ready... So stop making a scene."

Not "marry me." Just "stop making a scene."

Even the ring in her palm was the same custom design from Solitaire & Co. that had appeared in Scott's photos. She'd given him her once-in-a-lifetime ring. All I got was her going through the motions.

I looked at her, at the face I had traced in my mind a thousand times and kept hidden in my heart since I was eighteen. I smiled faintly.

"I'm not making a scene, and I won't get in the way of his promotion. I don't want to get a marriage license with you, either. You can leave."

Caitlyn heard the first two parts and tuned out the rest. She came over and wrapped her arms around my waist, resting her chin on my back.

Her voice held a hint of amusement, along with total certainty.

"Get some sleep. When you wake up tomorrow, post something to clear things up for Scott."

I was stunned. "Clear up what?"

Her arms didn't loosen, but her brows drew together, as if she were thinking it over.

"Say that Scott and I were a couple all along, and you're the one who came between us. That way, his reputation won't take a hit..."

My heart shook. I stared at her blankly.

Those red lips had kissed me countless times. They'd also murmured words of love in the middle of the night that tugged at my heart. But now, every word out of them was a knife in my chest.

I held back my tears and pushed her away. "What about my reputation? You don't care about that?"

She hesitated, as if she wasn't used to me refusing her, or as if it had only just occurred to her. Then she laughed.

"Scott isn't like you. He came from nothing, and he's an orphan. It hasn't been easy for him to get where he is. You're his childhood friend. You should think of him a little more."

Should?

Why should I?

Back when he'd been stopped at the gate by security for not paying his tuition, I was the one who covered the balance.

In our senior year, when some thugs from outside campus kept harassing him, I was the one who brought in people and resources to protect him at every turn. I often brought him home too, and told everyone he was my brother.

The year we graduated, no hospital would take him because his foundation was too weak. I was the one who begged Caitlyn to make an exception and hire him.

At the time, Scott's nose had gone red. He hugged me and bawled his eyes out. "Charles, you've been so good to me. I'll spend my whole life repaying you."

But I never imagined his way of repaying me would be sleeping with my woman.

I let out the breath trapped in my chest, raised my head, and looked her straight in the eye.

"Caitlyn, I don't owe you anything, and I don't owe Scott anything. Stepping aside for you two without tearing into you is the most I can do.

"But admitting I'm the other man? Not happening!"