Chapter 2

Tyler froze for a second before quickly lowering his head with a smile.

"Sorry. I've been living overseas for too long. I don't think about things like that."

Avery stepped in front of him almost immediately and said, "Logan, Tyler's been abroad for so many years. He's just used to living this way. You're reading too much into it."

Watching her shield Tyler so protectively, I suddenly found the whole thing absurd.

Of course, I knew Tyler had been living abroad. I was the one who sent him there, after all.

Back then, when he couldn't scrape together enough money for his first year of tuition fees, I'd transferred him every cent I'd saved over two years.

The day we said goodbye at the airport, he pulled me into a tight hug and said, "Logan, you're the best friend I've ever had. When I come back, I'll definitely be your best man when you get married."

Later, Avery started making frequent business trips overseas. I'd even sincerely ask her for a favor.

"Tyler is all alone in a foreign land and doesn't know anybody there. If you have time, could you look out for him a little?"

She'd ruffled my hair and laughed at how soft-hearted I was. And I'd laughed too.

I had thought the only reason they knew each other was because of me. But after that, every time Avery flew to that city, she would stop by to see Tyler. At first, she'd even send me photos and updates.

"The grocery store near Tyler's campus closes early, so I brought him a few things."

"Tyler's stressed out about his thesis lately, so I took him out for dinner."

Eventually, Avery began frequently appearing in Tyler's social media posts. She helped him carry his luggage. She accompanied him to the hospital. Even on his graduation day, the person standing beside Tyler in photos was Avery.

It wasn't that I'd never felt uncomfortable. But every time, I'd remind myself that Tyler was my best friend, and Avery was taking care of him because of me.

Only now, I finally understood. Some boundaries weren't crossed all at once.

Tyler was still standing by the entryway, his expression indifferent.

"Logan, if this bothers you, I'll leave right now."

He said he'd leave. Yet, his legs didn't move an inch.

Avery frowned. "It's late, and your water heater is broken. Where are you supposed to shower? Just go use our shower."

I didn't say anything more. Then, my gaze suddenly fell on the watch on Tyler's wrist.

A few days ago, I saw the receipt for that watch in Avery's study. It cost ten times more than what she had spent on my wedding band.

At the time, I thought it was a wedding gift Avery had gotten for me. I secretly looked forward to it, even imagining how happy I'd be if she fastened it onto my wrist on our wedding day.

But now, that watch was sitting on Tyler's wrist.

I lowered my gaze to the wedding band on my own hand. It was simple, plain, and very cheap.

When Avery had slipped it onto my finger, she'd said, "The price of a wedding band isn't important. It's the thought that counts."

At the time, I had been genuinely touched. I hadn't thought she wasn't the romantic type, but that she simply cared more about meanings than appearances.

Now, I knew that even sincerity had favorites.

Tyler walked into the living room with his head hung low. As he passed me, the scent of his cologne became stronger, and my fingers curled into fists.

But he acted as though nothing had happened, moving toward the bathroom with effortless familiarity.

Avery opened a cabinet and handed him a brand new bath towel. It was a light gray one that was part of a matching couple set I'd bought for our new life after marriage. I had planned to use them together for the first time after our wedding.

Tyler accepted the towel naturally.

"You're so thoughtful. Logan has trained you well."

Avery's voice lowered as she gently reminded him, "Watch your step. The floor might be slippery."

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

Standing in the living room, I suddenly felt like a guest in my own home.

This was supposed to be Avery and my new house. Yet, Tyler knew the passcode and walked in half-naked. He used the new towel I'd bought, and wore the watch I'd thought was my wedding gift.

And Avery didn't see anything wrong with it. She even came over to me, as if she finally had time to comfort me.

"Logan, don't overthink it. You and Tyler are so close. I'm only looking after him because of you."

I didn't look up. After a long silence, I simply hummed in response.

Avery seemed to relax, probably thinking she had successfully calmed me down again.

As the shower continued to run, I returned to the bedroom and shut the door.

My phone buzzed with a message from our wedding planner. "Mr. Clark, we need final confirmation on the wedding poster tonight."

I lowered my head and typed, "Make one adjustment—change the name."

A reply came almost instantly. "Mr. Clark, do you mean the groom's name on the poster?"

A bitter smile tugged on my lips as I replied, "Yes. Change the groom's name to Tyler Reed."