Chapter 3

While I was deep asleep, memories from my past flooded my mind like a tidal wave, threatening to drown me.

Rayan and I first met during our college years. We went to different universities, but lived in the same city. After graduation, it felt natural to be together. I really believed we'd stay happy like that forever.

But I had no idea when things started to change.

Ever since Chloe, his friend from college days, landed a job at his company, she had become a thorn in our relationship, one that wouldn't go away.

I remembered another day when the rain was pouring down in sheets like tonight.

I'd finished working overtime at the office, staring out the window at the downpour, feeling totally stuck. Rayan's office was on the opposite side of town, and I didn't want to bother him, but with rain like this, there wasn't a cab in sight.

Just as I was debating what to do, my phone rang. It was the special ringtone I'd set for Rayan.

I picked up right away, and his voice, cool yet gentle, came through the line. "Come downstairs. I'm almost at your office. The rain's too heavy. I'm taking you home."

In that instant, a wave of sweetness and warmth washed over me. I couldn't help but feel lucky that this guy, who was usually so clueless about romance, could actually be this thoughtful.

I dashed downstairs through the rain and spotted Rayan's car right away.

Without thinking, I reached for the passenger door, the seat I'd claimed for three years, the one he always said was reserved for his girlfriend, the spot I thought would always be mine.

But the moment I opened the door, my smile froze. It was like ice water poured over my head, leaving me completely numb.

Chloe was sitting there, looking all sweet and innocent. When she saw me, she put on a sugary, cutesy smile and, in a syrupy voice, said, "Nice to meet you, Ruby."

The passenger seat was already taken, and my hand froze mid-air, and then awkwardly withdrew. In that moment, all the joy and anticipation I'd felt crumbled to dust.

Clutching my rain-soaked bag, I couldn't get a single word out. Silently, I pulled my hand back, circled to the other side, and slipped into the back seat.

The heater was blasting, but it couldn't thaw the cold that had seeped into my heart.

As soon as I sat down, Chloe seemed to suddenly think of something. She turned to me slowly, putting on her best "understanding" face.

Her voice was full of a forced apology, and her eyes were practically sparkling with smugness. "Sorry, Ruby.

"I've had motion sickness since I was a kid. Sitting in the back makes me really sick. Rayan is worried about me, so he let me sit up front. You don't mind, right?"

Before I could respond, Rayan frowned, sounding annoyed, and made it seem like I was being petty. "Ruby, Chloe is just a young girl, and she is my friend.

"Of course, I should take care of her. You're not going to get hung up on the passenger seat, are you?"

Petty?

He was calling it petty.

He gave away the seat I'd guarded for three years to another woman without telling me. In the end, it was somehow my fault.

My throat tightened, but I still forced a weak smile, shook my head, and said, "I don't mind."

"Great!" Chloe beamed, her smile growing sweeter.

Like flaunting something right in my face, she pointed at a blanket beside me. "Ruby, you must be freezing after getting caught in the rain.

"Did you see that blanket next to you? Rayan and I picked it out together at the supermarket. It's super fluffy and warm. You should use it, or you'll catch a chill."

Oh, really? They went to the supermarket together.

Her words felt like a needle, piercing straight into my heart.

For three years with Rayan, I'd pout and beg him to go to the supermarket with me, to pick out snacks and little things for our home, and make our place feel cozy and full.

I always believed that shopping as a couple was the simplest, most romantic thing you could do.

But every time, he'd turn me down, saying the supermarket was crowded and boring, shopping was a waste of time, and he had work to deal with.

So it wasn't that he didn't like going to the supermarket. He just never wanted to go with me.

He wasn't incapable of being caring. He never gave that tenderness to me.