Chapter 3 The Final Straw

The next morning, Kimberly drove over to pick me up. "Ryan, come home with me."

"No. Your mom doesn't welcome me."

Kimberly linked her arm through mine, looking almost aggrieved as she pleaded, "Mom's already forgotten what happened yesterday. Come home with me, please."

I forced a faint smile. "Maybe she's forgotten, but I haven't."

I couldn't forget the disgust in her eyes or the cold, dismissive things she'd said to me.

But Kimberly wouldn't take no for an answer. Maybe a part of me still held on to one last shred of hope.

When we returned to Westwood Residence, Katherine acted as if nothing had happened. Of course, she still didn't recognize me.

When Elliot introduced me as his buddy, she simply smiled and nodded.

At dinner, the conversation suddenly turned to the wedding. Katherine asked if I'd be Elliot's best man.

I shook my head. "I'm busy with work. I don't have time."

Kimberly's younger sister scoffed. "You just want to be the groom yourself."

I froze.

Kimberly frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Her sister pointed at me, looking aggrieved. "I saw him hugging Kim on the balcony yesterday…"

Elliot quickly jumped in to explain, "Ryan's my buddy. He'd never do something like that."

However, Katherine's expression changed. She didn't say another word to me for the rest of the meal.

After dinner, I was about to leave when Katherine suddenly called out to me.

"Your name is Ryan, right? Elliot and Kim are getting married. Didn't your family ever teach you not to overstep your boundaries?"

My family? I had no family left.

I took a deep breath and replied bitterly, "Don't worry, Mrs. Westwood. It's my last time here."

Kimberly froze for a moment and started toward me, but Katherine grabbed her and held her back.

In the end, Elliot walked me out.

"Ryan, Mrs. Westwood was betrayed in the past, so she tends to react strongly to things like this. Don't take it personally."

He was my buddy, and he should've been on my side. But now, even he spoke as if he were part of the Westwood family.

I didn't respond. Instead, I opened a flight-booking app and bought a ticket out of the country.

Kimberly and Elliot spent the next two days in her hometown. At Katherine's insistence, they had their wedding photos taken.

Katherine even posted photos of Kimberly accompanying Elliot to try on wedding dresses on her social media feed.

The dress was beautiful, and they looked good together.

Elliot sent me several pictures of different suits and asked which one I liked best.

He even took the time to explain, "We're about the same size, so just imagine that I'm trying them on your behalf. Saves you the trouble, right?"

I didn't reply the way I used to.

When Kimberly came home, I was packing my bags. Assuming I was going on another business trip, she helped me pack my clothes into my suitcase.

"How long will you be gone this time? When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow."

Kimberly paused. "The wedding's in three days. You won't be able to make it, which is probably for the best."

I clenched my fists and said nothing.

She was about to say more when Katherine suddenly called to discuss the wedding arrangements.

I stepped aside to give them privacy. Still in my pajamas, I walked behind Kimberly and happened to appear on camera.

Katherine immediately grew alarmed. "Why is Elliot's buddy at your house? Are you two together?"

Kimberly hurriedly covered the camera with her hand. "Mom, you must be mistaken. That was Elliot…"

"I don't believe you! Move your hand!"

Unable to get her mother to back down, Kimberly made an excuse. "Mom, Ryan's just here to pick up some documents. It's not what you think it is."

She motioned for me to change my clothes.

In the rush, I had no choice but to comply.

But when Katherine saw the shirt I was wearing, she began accusing me.

"I knew you were up to no good! Going to Kim's place in the middle of the night? No wonder you turned out this way. Your mother gave birth to you, but clearly never raised you right…"

At that moment, all the emotions I'd been holding back came crashing out.

I snatched the phone from Kimberly. "Mrs. Westwood, I'm Kimberly's boyfriend. They're lying to you—"

"Enough!" Kimberly cut me off, took the phone, and hung up.

She stared at me with disappointment. "Ryan, have you lost your mind? You know my mom's condition is unstable. Why would you provoke her like that?"

My heart clenched painfully as I stared hard at her. "Kimberly, swear to me that you and Elliot have only been acting this whole time, that you've never crossed the line."

Her eyes flickered, and for an instant, she looked flustered.

Then, she wrapped her arms around my waist. "Ryan, I know you've been treated unfairly this time. Just wait for me. I'll make it up to you."

All she offered was compensation. She never denied that there was something between her and Elliot.

The question that had troubled me for years finally had an answer.

I pushed Kimberly away and went back to the bedroom alone. She didn't follow.

Through the closed door, I heard her call Elliot. They were discussing how to appease Katherine again.

I clenched my fist and punched the wall.

Just then, a boarding notification from the airline popped up on my phone.

Leaving Kimberly was the best decision I'd ever made.