Chapter 2

Before we got married, Rebecca White, Raegan's bestie, had mentioned Snyder's name to me.

Rebecca would often joke, sometimes with a hint of nostalgia, that Raegan had a 'first love' she could never let go of.

She told me that Raegan and Snyder had been classmates since high school and went to the same university. They'd basically grown up together, childhood sweethearts in everyone's eyes.

Everyone assumed they'd end up together eventually.

But then, in their junior year of college, Snyder was dead set on going abroad for further studies. The moment he got that offer from a top university, he left without hesitation.

Rebecca let out a sigh and murmured, "If Snyder hadn't left for overseas back then, you wouldn't be Raegan's boyfriend now."

Back then, Raegan and I had been together for two years, and things were going steady between us.

I wasn't the unreasonable type.

Everyone had something from their youth they couldn't let go of. Raegan did, and so did I.

I just thought we had to look ahead. What was in the past was that, the past.

Since she chose me, and I chose her, I was willing to trust her.

And as a girlfriend, there wasn't a single thing I could fault Raegan for.

I could check her phone anytime I wanted, and she'd always let me know where she was going.

She'd introduce me to her friends and family without me asking.

She always stood up for me in front of her parents.

She'd always been the affectionate type, and after we got married, she became more attached.

As soon as she got off work, if she had any free time, she'd hurry home to keep me company.

Whenever I had to work late, she'd stay up and quietly make me a midnight snack, waiting for me to come home.

If I ever mentioned something I liked in passing, she'd secretly buy it and surprise me with it.

Whenever she went on a business trip, she'd always bring me a little gift.

It wasn't until my birthday last year.

I'd had my eye on a mechanical watch for ages, but I couldn't bring myself to buy it.

On my birthday, Raegan gave me the watch, all wrapped up so beautifully.

I felt so warm and moved. I wore it all day, not wanting to take it off for a second.

But a few days later, I was driving her car to run some errands. While tidying up the glove compartment, my hand brushed against a watch box.

When I opened it, I found a watch inside, same style, same model, completely identical to the one on my wrist.

I paused and then glanced at Raegan sitting beside me. "Why did you buy two of the same watches?"

Raegan answered casually, her expression perfectly natural, "A friend of mine has been wanting this watch for ages, but it's always out of stock. So, when I finally saw it available, I grabbed one for him too."

I bought her words and moved on.

It wasn't until later, when I went to Raegan's office to see her, that I spotted a man standing by her desk.

I'd seen his photo before. It was Snyder.

What really got to me was the watch on his wrist. It was identical to the one I had on.

That was when it finally clicked. The so-called "friend" Raegan mentioned was Snyder all along.

He'd already come back home and started working at Raegan's company, reporting directly to her.

Raegan saw my face fall.

She asked Snyder to leave.

Then she grabbed my arm and looked me in the eye, explaining everything to me, "Honey, Snyder just got back, and he's still figuring things out here, so he's getting settled in at my company for now."

Raegan promised me they were just coworkers, nothing more. She assured me she knew how to handle it and wouldn't cross any lines.

Then she gave me another kiss. "Honey, don't overthink it. He's here for only three months. Once he's settled in, he'll be out of here."

She looked me straight in the eye, her voice so honest and open that I couldn't find a single thing to doubt.

At that point, I didn't press her any further. So, I said, "Got it."