Chapter 2

Jeannie froze.

Her eyes filled with tears, as though she never expected me to say something like that.

Almost immediately, Eugene stepped in front of her.

"Melissa, Jeannie has been living overseas for years. She is just used to dressing like this.

"You are reading too much into it."

I watched him shield her, and the whole thing suddenly felt absurd.

Of course I knew Jeannie had studied abroad. I had been the one who sent her there.

Back then, she could not gather enough money for her first year of tuition. I gave her every cent I had saved for two years so she could go. The day we said goodbye at the airport, Jeannie clung to me and cried so hard she could barely stand.

"Melissa, you are the best friend I will ever have.

"When I come back, I will be your maid of honor."

Later, Eugene started traveling overseas for business all the time. I even asked him for a favor.

"Jeannie is all alone over there. She does not know anyone.

"If you have time, could you check on her for me?"

Back then, Eugene ruffled my hair and laughed, telling me I was too kind.

I laughed too. I honestly believed the only reason they knew each other was because of me.

After that, every time Eugene traveled to her city, he stopped by to see her.

At first, he always sent me photos so I would not worry.

"The grocery store near Jeannie’s campus closes early, so I brought her a few things.

"She has been stressed about her thesis lately, so I took her out for dinner."

Before I knew it, Eugene started appearing in Jeannie’s social media posts all the time.

He carried her luggage, and he accompanied her to the hospital. Even at her graduation ceremony, the person standing beside her in every photo was Eugene.

It was not as if I never felt uncomfortable. Every time, I told myself the same thing. Jeannie was my best friend, and Eugene only took care of her because of me.

Only now did I understand.

Crossing the line never happened all at once. It happened little by little.

Jeannie still stood in the entryway, her eyes red.

"Melissa, if this bothers you, I will leave right now."

She said she would leave, but her feet never moved.

Eugene frowned.

"It is already so late. Your bathroom is broken. Where else are you supposed to shower?

"Just go ahead."

I said nothing.

My eyes landed on the diamond necklace around Jeannie’s neck.

A few days earlier, I had seen the receipt for it in Eugene’s study. It had cost more than ten times what he paid for my engagement ring.

At the time, I thought it was a surprise wedding gift for me.

I looked forward to it for days. I imagined him fastening it around my neck on our wedding day, and every time I did, I knew I would cry.

However, now the necklace was around Jeannie’s neck.

I lowered my eyes to the engagement ring on my own finger.

It was plain, inexpensive, and unremarkable.

When Eugene slipped it onto my finger, he smiled and said, "A ring does not have to be expensive. It is the thought that counts."

I had been deeply touched.

I believed he cared more about meaning than flashy romance.

Only now did I realize that thoughtfulness depended on who the gift was for.

Jeannie lowered her head and walked into the living room. As she passed me, a faint perfume drifted through the air. It was the same scent Eugene wore.

My fingers curled into a fist.

She acted as though nothing had happened, confidently making her way to the bathroom as if she had done it many times before.

Eugene opened a cabinet, took out a brand‑new bath towel, and handed it to her.

It was one of the matching towels I bought for our life after the wedding. Soft ivory. A set for two. I imagined us using them together for the first time after we were married.

Jeannie accepted it without a second thought.

"You are always so thoughtful. Melissa trained you so well."

Eugene smiled gently and said in a soft voice, "Be careful. The floor is slippery."

The bathroom door closed, and the sound of running water filled the apartment.

I stood alone in the living room.

For some reason, I suddenly felt like the guest. That was supposed to be the new home Eugene and I would share. Yet Jeannie knew the door code. She walked in wearing a nightgown, she used the towels I bought, and she wore the wedding gift I believed would belong to me.

Eugene did not think any of it was strange. He walked over to me, as if he finally had a moment to comfort me.

"Melissa, do not overthink this.

"You and Jeannie are so close. I am only looking after her because of you."

I never looked up.

After a long silence, I murmured, "Mm."

Eugene seemed to let out a relieved breath. He probably thought he had smoothed everything over.

The sound of running water continued behind the bathroom door. I returned to the bedroom and quietly closed the door.

A new message from the wedding planner waited on my phone.

[Ms. Smith, we need your final approval for the wedding poster tonight.]

I lowered my head and typed.

[Change the name.]

The planner replied almost immediately.

[Ms. Smith, do you mean the bride’s name on the poster?]

The corner of my mouth lifted into a bitter smile as I typed my answer, one word at a time.

[Yes.]

[Change the bride to Jeannie.]