Chapter 2

Back at the Evans residence, I rushed straight to my room and locked the door.

My phone kept ringing, all calls from Andrew. I didn't answer a single one.

Mom knocked on the door. "Charlotte, what's wrong? Andrew just called, saying the engagement party is postponed. What happened?"

"Nothing, just some last-minute issues," I replied through the door.

"When will it be rescheduled?"

"Don't know."

Mom wanted to say more, but Dad pulled her away. "Let her be for a while."

Sitting on my bed, I watched the missed calls from Andrew pile up, my feelings a tangled mess.

My phone vibrated—not a call, but a text.

Benjamin: [Heard tomorrow's engagement is off?]

Seeing this, tears suddenly streamed down my face.

Benjamin Hawthorne was my childhood friend. We grew up together, but he went to Amelia for college after high school and only returned a couple of years ago to take over his family's investment firm.

By the time he came back, I was already with Andrew.

I replied: [Yeah.]

Benjamin: [What happened?]

I hesitated, then typed: [Nothing, just last-minute stuff.]

Benjamin: [Charlotte, we've known each other forever. You think I'd buy that?]

I smiled weakly. Benjamin had always been like this, able to see right through me.

Me: [Don't wanna talk about it.]

Benjamin: [Okay, then I'll ask something else. Where are you now?]

Me: [Home.]

Benjamin: [Be downstairs in five.]

I was taken aback. That was just like Benjamin, acting on the spot.

Five minutes later, I went downstairs. Sure enough, Benjamin's Maserati was parked at the gate.

He was leaning against the car, dressed in black casual wear. Seeing me, he waved.

"Hop in." That was Ben.

"Where to?"

"Just a drive."

I didn't refuse, opening the door and slipping into the passenger seat.

Benjamin didn't ask what happened, just drove slowly through the city.

Soft music played in the car, the city lights twinkling outside the window.

"Feeling better?" Benjamin finally spoke.

I nodded. "A bit."

"Wanna talk about it?"

I was silent for a long time before finally speaking. "Ben, if a man really loves you, would he put another woman first?"

Benjamin's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "No."

"And if he always postpones your important dates for another woman?" I asked.

"Then he doesn't love you at all." Benjamin's voice was calm but firm.

I gave a bitter smile. "Is that so?"

"Charlotte Evans, a man who truly loves you will put you in the most important place in his heart. No matter what happens, that won't change," Benjamin pulled over and looked at me. "If he can't do that, he doesn't deserve your love."

Looking at Benjamin, I suddenly remembered our childhood.

Back in elementary school, some kids bullied me, and I ran crying to Benjamin.

Without a word, he charged over and fought them, ending up with a bruised face himself.

I asked him why he did it. He said, "Because you're the most important person to me."

We were too young to understand love then, but I knew Benjamin truly cared about me.

Later, he went to Amelia, and we lost touch. I thought I'd never see him again.

Then, two years ago, he suddenly returned, appearing at my birthday party.

By then, I was with Andrew. Benjamin didn't say anything, just wished me happiness.

After that, he'd occasionally ask me to hang out, but never made any declarations. I thought he just saw me as a sister.

"Ben," I started suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"What if..." I stopped, unsure how to continue.

"What if what?" Benjamin encouraged me.

"What if I were single now, would you..."

"Would I what?" A glimmer of light shone in Benjamin's eyes.

"Never mind, forget I said anything." I shook my head, feeling the question was too abrupt.

Benjamin suddenly reached out and took my hand. "Charlotte, do you know how long I've waited for you?"

I froze.

"From high school graduation until now, a full eight years," Benjamin's voice was slightly choked. "Those six years in Amelia, I thought about you every day, dreaming of the day I could come back to you."

He said quietly, "But when I returned, you already had a boyfriend.

"Do you know how desperate I felt? I thought I'd missed my chance forever.

"But I don't regret it. Because I got to see you, and you were still willing to be friends with me.

"Charlotte, I can wait. I'll wait until the day you're willing to give me a chance."

Tears streamed down my face as I looked at him.

"Ben, I..."

"Don't say anything," Benjamin reached out and wiped my tears. "I just wanted you to know that there's a man in this world who would consider you the most important person."

My heart trembled violently.

In three years with Andrew, he had never said anything like that to me.

He had never even formally said "I love you."

Whenever I asked, he'd just say, "You know how I am."

Now that I thought about it, maybe I didn't know him at all.

I didn't know if I was truly in his heart, if he really loved me, or what his relationship with Emily White really was.

My phone rang again. Andrew.

I looked at Benjamin. He nodded. "Answer it."

I picked up. "Hello?"

"Charlotte, where are you? I went to your place, your mom said you went out," Andrew sounded frantic.

"I'm out."

"With who?"

"A friend."

"What friend?" Andrew pressed.

Irritation flared. "Andrew, is there something wrong with me going out with a friend?"

"That's not what I meant. I'm just worried about you."

"Worried about me?" I laughed coldly. "Andrew, now you are worried about me? What about your precious Emily? Don't you need to take care of her?"

"Charlotte, are you still mad?"

"I'm not mad. I just think maybe we're really not right for each other."

Silence on the other end for a few seconds. Andrew's voice turned serious. "Charlotte, what are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying, Andrew, we're breaking up."