Chapter 2

Gabriel's POV

Behind Sophie, Edward went pale. A second later, he clutched his chest and collapsed.

Sophie quickly helped him to his feet and led him outside. She didn't even notice I was hurt.

I stepped forward and grabbed the hem of her shirt. "Sophie, I spent 23 hours traveling just to see you. Do you know today—"

"Did I ask you to come?" she cut me off coldly. "Didn't I tell you I wouldn't have time to celebrate Thanksgiving? I said we could do it another time.

"Edward's having an episode of respiratory alkalosis. If something happens to him, it'll come back on you. How am I supposed to protect you then?"

Having said that, Sophie shook me off and hurried away.

My hand dropped to my side, and the ring slipped from my fingers, hitting the floor with a clatter.

I stared at the ring. Suddenly, I remembered what I'd asked Sophie back when we first went long-distance. I'd asked her if she'd be upset if I showed up without warning.

She'd thrown her arms around me and kissed me over and over. "Gab, if you ever showed up without warning, I'd feel awful that you'd gone through all that trouble. So, I'd have to punish you with a whole lot of kisses, just like this."

It was unsurprising that Sophie hadn't wanted me to come. After all, she'd already planned to spend the holiday with someone else. And I'd already become an outsider.

…

As I was leaving the diner, Sophie texted me. "I'm sorry, Gab. I was too harsh. Let me explain when I get back, okay?"

My eyes stung. I rubbed them, then threw the ring into the trash. I was done waiting for her.

Later, I booked a ticket home.

On the way to the airport, I called my boss back and said, "I've made up my mind about the transfer to Himara."

After I hung up, a video popped up in my feed. I tapped it, and Edward's face appeared on the screen.

"The sweetest person in the world made these just for me," he said.

I stared at the box of pastries, and suddenly, I was back three years ago. Sophie had made pastries for me before we started our long-distance relationship.

I'd hugged her and told her I wouldn't get to eat them once we were apart. She'd smiled and ruffled my hair.

"I'll ship them to you. Besides, I only make these for you. Don't worry."

But once we were living apart, I never received a single one.

Every time I asked, Sophie said she'd been too busy and had forgotten, promising she'd make them next time.

I kept making excuses for her. But the truth was, she'd been spending her time on Edward and keeping her promises to him.

I opened my bag, took out a jam-filled pastry, and bit into it. It tasted a little bitter.

Mom had made it especially for Sophie before I left, but there was no point giving it to her now.

Just then, an announcement came over the speakers. "Attention, passengers. Due to severe weather, this flight has been delayed."

The waiting area quickly descended into chaos.

Suddenly, someone grabbed me and pulled me out of the crowd.

I stared at Sophie, stunned. She was breathing hard. A moment later, she said, "Gab, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Will you come home with me?"

She took my suitcase, but I yanked it back.

"No. I'm fine. I don't want to bother you."

Sophie let out a sigh and ruffled my hair. "You're my boyfriend. How could you ever be a bother?"

She said it like it was nothing, yet she'd come to pick me up wearing a mask.

I reached for her mask, but she caught my hand. "Cut it out. Just wait until we get home."

…

Sophie insisted on taking me back to her apartment. When the door opened, Edward was standing in the living room.

I glanced around and saw Edward's slippers and clothes. Even the picture of me that used to sit on the mantel had been replaced by a photo of him.

I stared at the pastries on the table, wondering if he'd held her hand as they ate them together.

Before I could say anything, Sophie explained, "Edward just moved here, and he doesn't have a place to stay. Don't overthink it. Once the company puts him in staff housing, he'll move out."

At that moment, Edward handed me a pastry. "Gab, you like the ones Sophie makes, right? Try one."

"I can't eat anything with walnuts."

Edward paused. Yet Sophie said, "Gab, I made all of these. They're all the same."

A heaviness settled in my chest.

She'd forgotten that I'd throw up if I ate walnuts. These pastries weren't made for me. She'd forgotten to make me any, too.

I didn't take the pastry, and Edward's expression immediately fell. "Gab, you think I'm disgusting, don't you?"

Sophie's expression darkened as well.

"Gabriel Sullivan! Edward has already done everything he can to keep the peace. Nobody's perfect. Do you really have to push him this hard?"

In the next instant, Edward got to his feet and headed for the bedroom.

"Sophie, don't be so hard on Gabriel. I'm the outsider here. I'll just get a hotel."

Hearing that, Sophie tried to talk him out of it. "You're not used to being on your own. How are you supposed to stay at a hotel alone?"

They looked like a real couple.

"Forget it, Sophie."

I got up, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out.