Chapter 3

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

Avery stood in the kitchen doorway with her sleeves rolled up, acting as though nothing had happened.

"You're awake. Did you sleep well last night?"

My gaze landed on the glass of warmed milk. For a moment, I got lost in thought.

I used to have a sensitive stomach. Avery used to take the milk out of the fridge half an hour early so it would be the perfect temperature by the time I drank it. She'd said that milk that was too hot or too cold would upset my stomach.

Back then, I'd always thought that if someone could remember something as small as that, how could they not love you?

Yet, now, she still remembered all those little details. But I could no longer tell the difference. Was it love, or simply a habit formed over seven years?

Avery slid a watch box across the table toward me.

"Last night, I noticed you kept eyeing Tyler's watch. My Logan deserves a nice watch too," she said in a gentle voice, her eyes filled with affection.

I looked down at the watch. It wasn't the same brand as Tyler's. The design was very similar, but the price was much lower.

Avery walked behind me and adjusted my shirt collar. The moment she tilted her head up and softly kissed the back of my neck, another vision flashed into my view.

The watch store was brightly lit. Tyler sat at the counter, examining a watch—the very same one Avery was giving me now. He picked it up and fastened it around his wrist. After staring at his reflection for a few seconds, he frowned.

"It's too plain. The face is too small, and it's a little uncomfortable. I don't want it."

He casually removed it and set it back on the counter.

Avery didn't tell the sales clerk to put it away. Instead, she stared at the watch for a few seconds before saying calmly, "Wrap it up."

Tyler blinked in surprise, then laughed. "For Logan?"

Avery nodded. "He wasn't very happy last night. I'll buy him this watch to cheer him up."

Tyler immediately frowned, looking as if he genuinely felt sorry for me as he spoke. "You can't just brush off his concerns like that. Logan is my best friend."

Avery smiled. "He won't hold a grudge. As long as the gift is from me, he'll love it."

Tyler picked up the watch and twirled it between his fingers. "That's true. Logan has never been picky. I used to post him my old suits, and he'd happily wear them to work."

Avery didn't argue. She simply handed over her card and paid.

My breath caught in my throat.

Because during Tyler's first few years overseas, he was always short on money. I was worried he'd suffer alone in a foreign country, so I lived frugally to save money and sent it to him.

Back then, I wouldn't even allow myself to buy new clothes. So, every now and then, Tyler would post me some of his old designer jackets.

I never complained. At the time, I thought that was what friends did. Only now did I understand that I had spent years getting used to accepting the things Tyler didn't want.

By the time the vision shattered, the cold watch was already fastened around my wrist.

Avery leaned close to my ear, her breath warm. "Do you like it?"

I removed the watch and placed it back in the box. My voice was quiet. "It's a little uncomfortable."

Avery froze, probably confused why I'd said the exact same words Tyler had said. But she quickly dismissed the strange coincidence as me still being upset. She likely assumed I was still throwing a tantrum. Reaching out, she patted my shoulder.

"The wedding is only two days away. Don't let yourself stay unhappy."

I lowered my head and smiled.

She thought I was upset because I was jealous. But what she didn't know was that I no longer even had the energy to be jealous.

Just then, my phone lit up. A message from the wedding planner popped up.

"Mr. Clark, we need final confirmation on tonight's wedding rehearsal schedule. Is there anything you'd like to add to the ceremony?"

I stared at the message for a long time. Then, I lowered my head and typed my reply.

"Yes. I'd like to add a vow-reading segment before the ceremony begins."