Chapter 2

"Mom, I also want to buy a gift for my advisor, Johnny Greenwood," Steve said.

Mom's expression softened the instant she turned to Steve.

"Sure. Let's go and do that."

Rebecca gave Steve a thumbs-up. "Steve, you've really learned how to handle social situations. Good for you!"

Audrey chimed in, "Steve has lots of friends at college. Everyone says he's easy to get along with."

I frowned, remembering how at the start of the semester Steve had moved his stuff into the apartment Audrey and I rented together. He'd claimed he couldn't get along with his roommates and said he was going to stay with us instead.

Audrey had agreed without a second thought.

To avoid running into Steve, I'd had no choice but to move back into the dorms.

Noticing I was distracted, Mom tugged at my sleeve.

"What are you spacing out for? Once you marry Audrey, you can't keep being so clueless about these things. Why don't you pick out a gift for your future mother-in-law?"

I parted my lips. But seeing Audrey laughing and joking around with Steve, I could only change the subject. I recalled that Mr. Turner had mentioned wanting to meet Mom and Dad, so I brought it up.

"Mom, Dad, Mr. Turner said he'd like to meet you."

Rebecca clicked her tongue impatiently. "Don't tell me you've been messing up at college and Mom and Dad have to go there to hear about it?"

Mom's expression darkened. "Are you doing this on purpose?"

I stared at her in confusion.

"Steve just said he wanted to buy Mr. Greenwood a gift, and now you bring this up? Can you stop being so calculating for once?" Mom scolded.

Dad let out a cold snort. "Didn't I tell you that mute never has any good intentions?"

My heart sank, and a chill ran through me. Their words pierced me like a sharp blade, and I instinctively took a step back.

So, that was really what they thought of me.

Audrey grabbed my arm, her expression indifferent.

"That's enough, Thomas. Can you stop trying to steal the spotlight for once?"

I looked at her in disbelief, but she didn't even spare me a glance. Now I knew what it truly felt like to have my heart ripped out.

I used to believe Audrey would be the one person who would always have my back. We met during our second attempt at the graduate school entrance exams. Back then, we were always the first to arrive at the library.

She had asked for my number first. After that, she started texting me constantly, bringing me breakfast, buying me coffee, and helping me organize my study materials.

Little by little, the walls around my heart began to crumble, and I started opening up to her.

At the time, her eyes had sparkled when she promised me, "I'll never share my love with anyone else, Thomas. You're the best thing I'll ever have."

But everything changed after she met Steve.

She began accepting his invitations more frequently, often telling me how great he was and how much easier he was to get along with.

Eventually, I couldn't even tell whether she spent more time meeting up with him or going on dates with me.

It turned out she had kept her promise after all. She hadn't shared her love with anyone else. She had just given it to someone new.

"You're in your 20s now. It's time to start acting your age. What are your plans after graduation?" Mom asked.

I looked up, about to tell them about the opportunity Mr. Turner had offered me.

However, she didn't seem to care about my answer at all. She simply carried on talking as if I hadn't opened my mouth.

"I'm not expecting you to amount to much. After all, you'll never measure up to Steve. All I ask is that you find an ordinary job in this city after graduation and take good care of Audrey and Steve."

Apparently, all I was good for in her eyes was taking care of Audrey and Steve. Moreover, she thought it was only natural that I should.

"Audrey is my girlfriend," I reminded her.

Steve glanced at me awkwardly, and Audrey immediately stepped in front of him. It was as though the mere mention of our relationship had somehow hurt Steve.

"Why would you bring that up?"

"Am I not allowed to?"

"Can you stop being so paranoid? Are you seriously jealous of your own brother?"

I fell silent.

Maybe it was time for that to change.