Chapter 3

The next morning, when I walked out of the bedroom, breakfast was already waiting on the table.

Eugene stood at the kitchen doorway with his sleeves rolled up, acting as though nothing had happened.

"You are up?

"Did you sleep well last night?"

My eyes drifted to the mug of warm milk, and I froze for a moment.

I always had a sensitive stomach. Eugene used to take the milk out half an hour early so it would reach the perfect temperature by the time I drank it. He always said milk that was too hot or too cold never tasted right.

Back then, I always thought that if someone remembered something as small as the exact temperature you liked, how could they not love you.

He still remembered every detail.

I just could not tell anymore if it was love or simply a habit formed over seven years.

Eugene slid a jewelry box across the table toward me.

"Last night, I noticed you kept looking at Jeannie’s necklace.

"You deserve a beautiful necklace too."

His voice was gentle, and his eyes were still filled with affection.

I looked at the necklace inside. It was not the same brand as Jeannie’s. The design looked almost identical, only the diamond was much smaller.

Eugene walked behind me and gently swept my hair aside. His fingers brushed against the back of my neck.

The instant they did, another vision exploded into my mind.

The jewelry store was brightly lit.

Jeannie sat at the display counter with a necklace in front of her. It was the same necklace Eugene was about to put around my neck.

She picked it up and held it against her neck.

After studying herself in the mirror for a few seconds, she frowned.

"It is too plain. It scratches my neck a little.

"I do not want it."

She took it off without another thought and tossed it back onto the counter.

Eugene did not tell the saleswoman to put it away. He stared at the necklace for a long moment before saying calmly, "Wrap it up."

Jeannie blinked in surprise, then smiled. "For Melissa?"

Eugene nodded. "She was not very happy last night. I will buy her this to cheer her up."

Jeannie frowned, looking as though she genuinely felt sorry for me.

"Do not brush her off like that. Melissa is my best friend."

Eugene chuckled.

"She will not mind.

"As long as it is from me, she will love it."

Jeannie picked up the necklace again and let it dangle from her fingertips.

"That is true. Melissa is never picky.

"I used to mail her the dresses I did not want anymore, and she happily wore them to work."

In the vision, Eugene never denied it. He simply handed over his card.

My breathing caught.

During Jeannie’s first few years overseas, she was always short on money. I was terrified she would struggle alone in a foreign country, so I pinched every penny and sent my savings to her.

Back then, I could not even bring myself to buy new clothes.

Every once in a while, Jeannie mailed me the brand‑name dresses she no longer wore. I never looked down on them.

I believed that was simply what best friends did. There was no need to keep score.

Only then did I understand. I had gotten used to accepting the things Jeannie no longer wanted.

The vision vanished.

The cold necklace had already settled around my neck.

It felt less like a gift and more like a circle of icy mockery.

Eugene leaned close, his warm breath brushing against my ear.

"Do you like it?"

I took the necklace off and placed it back inside the box. My voice was barely above a whisper.

"It scratches my neck a little."

Eugene paused. He probably could not understand why I said the exact same thing Jeannie said.

He dismissed the odd feeling, assuming I was still upset.

Thinking I was pouting, Eugene reached over and ruffled my hair.

"The wedding is only two days away.

"Do not let yourself stay unhappy."

I lowered my head with a faint smile.

He thought I was upset because I was jealous.

What he did not know was that I no longer had the strength to feel jealous.

Just then, my phone lit up.

A message from the wedding planner appeared on the screen.

[Ms. Smith, we need your final confirmation of the wedding schedule tonight.]

[Is there anything you would like to add to the ceremony?]

I stared at the message for a long time before lowering my head and typing back.

[Yes.]

[I would like to say a few words before the ceremony begins.]